Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I think the result would have been just as impressive without the overly explicit violence (it doesn't sit well with Burton), but otherwise I'm satisfied. Burton rocks again, with lots of his typical cynicism (here bordering on the absurd) and his unmistakable visual style, things I never get tired of. And while the music is lacking any significant melodic motif to hum along to after the film, it was a fine listen. Just like Depp's singing, which proves that you don’t need to master the range of octaves and intonation flawlessly if you have the "gift to impress" and a pleasant colour of voice, and Johnny fulfils this without fail. But the star here is someone else, the wonderful Bonham-Carter, whose cynically pragmatic Mrs Lovett was delectable. (2008-02-10)

Depp is not a flawless singer, the almost incessant barrage of songs is a bit of a shame and the eternal depression may be a bit too desired, but still a weight has been lifted off my chest. Burton took on a huge challenge that could have caught him off guard many times - to navigate through it with great bravura. And that's despite working with very unambiguous characters like a vengeful barber or a wicked judge. The master of charming oddities has decided to discard issues of accessibility and lets blood splatter, razors fly, and characters die in slums. And the increasingly tragic taste of it leaves feelings so enjoyable and stirring that I would push Tim towards another art immediately. Because handling it with the heart like this is something only a few can do. (2008-02-24)

Burton's aesthetic of dark sets and faded camera filters got old a long time ago. The promise of live water in the form of musical numbers, however, only adds to the overall withering in the end. Burton is absolutely inept when it comes to the singing performances, lacking any choreography or at least a hint thereof, meaning that both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter try very unsuccessfully, even though they are otherwise really excellent. For two hours I felt a kind of unspoken reverence for the original (even Burton's right-hand man Danny Elfman is nowhere to be found), but to be honest, even Kevin Smith did better in Jersey Girl. (2008-02-18)

So close to a fourth star. Unfortunately though, blood and human flesh is not my thing, so I just can't give it. It certainly has Burton's weirdness, spookiness, and strangeness. The musical aspect is more than excellent. Johnny gives an incredibly good performance, Helena Bonham Carter perhaps even better. But the second half was too much for me. (2011-06-27)

Musicals aren't exactly my cup of tea but this was a different cup of coffee (or maybe, slice of pie? :)). Burton obviously filmed from the heart, and spares no blood or love. And what does a quality film need besides those ingredients? Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were all amazing. Maybe the five stars are a little too many, but I just haven't had my fill of Burton's visions yet. (2008-03-13)