The Morningstarr* - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Donachiel · 28-01-2008, 00:20

Sweeney Todd: Johnny Depp iin his most cutting role

I went to my local googylplex last night. Snapper fixed me up with some tickets (cheers buddy) and we watched a fine Digital print of this new title from the partnership that is Depp and Burton. And I was not disappointed.

Now, I'm probably not the best to be doing this review, as I'm a big Burton-Depp fan, going back to Edward Scissorhands. These two appear to be able to do no wrong. But there is always this dread, that one day they are going to make a sheer-stinker. And the infatuation is broken. But until that moment, they still churn out the beauties. And here's another one...

I"d just like to point out at this point, that the most annoying aspect of this movie is constantly having to hear how Helena Bonham Carter had to audition for this part. Who really gives a shit? Burton has been casting his love interest for years. It's Carter now, but it was Lisa Marie in the past. No one really cares, especially when the onscreen chemistry between Depp and Carter is so fantastic. Stop going on about it...!!

Now the story - the bare bones, at the very least - we are all aware of. Sweeney Todd kills people in his barber's chair with a cut-throat razor, to have them disposed of by Mrs Lovett, the pie shop owner who minces the bodies and makes pies out of them.

But this version is so good... It's basically a 'Nightmare Before Christmas" for adults. As this is a fantastic musical, filled with gore aplenty. And seriously, there will be blood...

To see Johnny Depp singing on the screen in just great fun - I'm led to believe he even didn't know he could sing at the time he was cast. He pulls the whole thing off with a singing voice that is a cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and David Bowie. Depp has also managed to create another great option for a Halloween costume, with a Mrs Lovett companion.

But the really shining point of this film is the brief but dramatic/comedic turn from Sacha Baron Cohen, as Adolfo Pirelli a rival barber. Cohen puts on a great show, even if it is all too brief. But he is both funny and dramatic both at the same time.

A great film, and a must for all Depp-Burton fans... Watch it, now.

karnautrahl · 28-01-2008, 10:11

LOL my other half played the rival barber in this on stage years and years ago

.

We went to see it two night ago...gory bloody fun. Excellent production.

kfer_kaz · 28-01-2008, 10:18

I thought Johnny was a member of a band before he was an actor, gonna have to google now

kfer_kaz · 28-01-2008, 10:25

Found itttttttttttttttttt. He was a member of a band called six gun method but they split before they could get a record deal. Wonder what wold have happned to Depp if the band hadn't split. Fate eh?

Zombie Mastermind · 28-01-2008, 12:37

The Depp-meister was also in a band called "P" in the early '90's they had a song called "Michael Stipe" if I remember correctly, which I do.

I can't wait to see the latest Depp/Burton thing.

I didn't think Corpse Bride was all that great, it was far from being a stinker though. Willy Wonka was also a bit iffy.

Maybee he should steer himself away from remakes.

I bet la Burton wishes he could excise Planet of the apes from his CV. His track record would be fairly floorless then.

Alpha · 28-01-2008, 14:22

Is this it?
YouTube - P 1993 Austin Music Awards 03 Michael Stipe

Zombie Mastermind · 28-01-2008, 15:48

Yep, I'm a thinkin' Mr Depp is on bass.

Here's sommat else I remember from back in tha mists:

I can't believe YouTube. More or less anything and everything I remember from my youth seems to be on there!

Snapper · 29-01-2008, 00:31

Johnny Depp sounding like a bad David Bowie/ Dick van Dyke cross over nominated for Best Actor Oscar... shows the American Academy is puddled. A lot better performances last year than Depp in a wig doing some dodgey singing!