The verdict: A very likeable bloody musical with Tim Burton’s unmistakeable signature, and two outstanding central performances.

The rating: 7/10

Oh great, so Johnny Depp can sing as well now? Way to build the rest of us all feel even more inadequate there Johnny. At least none of us were in 21 Jumpstreet though, eh!? Hehe, score one to Paddy… (Uh, yeah, that certain showed him… - Ed). Johnny’s Keith faux Richards schtick has made him a household name, but in Sweeney Todd, he demonstrates a real ability to sing capably, while additionally appearing to do an impression of David Bowie..

To the marketing men, Tim Burton’s musical horror may look like something of a risky

undertaking. First, much of the dialogue is sung, by Depp, Bonham Carter, and even Alan Rickman.. The main risk however, would seem to be the gore factor, which is very high, particularly by musical standards. However, that short-sighted view, although to be expected from movie marketeers, overlooks the fact that Steven Sondheim’s musical has a great deal of success to its name, and more importantly, that audiences are far more willing to take risks with their cinematic input than they are often given credit for.

To keep the marketeers happy however, Depp is the most ‘bankable’ movie star of that decade, and the story is tailor-made for Tim Burton’s shadowy eye.

Original post by PaddyC