Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; musical film review

Johnny Depp as GORE GALORE: Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett in a scene from 'Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.
Image: Leah Gallo, Warner Brothers and Dreamworks.

Bleeding Blades by Linh

'Sweeney Todd' is Stephen Sondheim's musical brought to the big screen courtesy of director Tim Burton's eccentricity and the astounding talents of an ensemble cast led by Johnny Depp.

Director Tim Burton has cleverly re-created the dark, dingy and bustling streets of London to set his latest film 'Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', including the costumes and accents befitting the period.

The casting enables the film to be less theatrical with greater emphasis on cinematic qualities, employing actors who can sing rather than singers who can act. Most of the singing sounds rock-pop oriented and some songs have been shortened, while others have been omitted.

Versatile actor Johnny Depp extends his talents to greater lengths in accomplishing the characterisation of wrongly convicted barber Benjamin Barker, who returns as the gothic-looking and greying Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp's singing expresses the pain and loss in the heart of a ruined man after losing his wife and child, yet is filled with anger and vengeance. Not known for his singing skills, Johnny Depp surprises with his vocal prowess throughout, including his highlights Epiphany and Pretty Women with Alan Rickman.

Although pregnant during the filming of 'Sweeney Todd', Helena Bonham Carter manages to capture the quirkiness and minx-like temperament of Mrs Lovett, physically and vocally. Helena Bonham Carter is breathtaking as she sings and moves in syncopation to Sondheim's music, particularly in The Worst Pies In London. She has previously performed with Depp in 'Corpse Bride' and the pair's playful and extraordinary chemistry is evident onscreen.

Alan Rickman rises to the challenge of villainous heights as Judge Turpin whose self-indulgence and corruption stems Sweeney Todd's thirst for vengeance. Rickman's consummate performance captivates and his ability to draw audiences' reactions of hate and disdain towards his character is exceptional.

Timothy Spall gives a delightfully devious edge to Beadle Bamford, the brutal henchman of Judge Turpin. Spall's Beadle is the mini-me to Alan Rickman's Judge Turpin and Spall presents an equally satisfying performance.

Providing most of the comedic moments in the film is Sacha Baron Cohen as the fraudster Signor Adolfo Pirelli. Cohen's portrayal of Todd's former employee is hysterical as he flashes a cheesy grin while shaving a customer, and hitting a dazzling falsetto note in The Contest.

The impressive supporting cast adds spark to the film with Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony Hope whose polished tenor voice is sublime in Johanna; as the innocent and reserved Johanna, Jayne Wisener is lovely in voice for Green Finch and Linnet Bird; youngster Edward Sanders gives a brilliant performance as Toby and is definitely one to watch in the future; and Laura Michelle Kelly does well to evoke pity as the Beggarwoman, then educes sadness as Sweeney realises she is his wife Lucy.