Viewed in
2007
Premise
Based on the musical about a wronged barber bent on revenge.
Who should watch
Fans of the musical? Johnny Depp and Tim Burton fans.
Thoughts
I wanted to love this film, but somehow I couldn't. All the ingredients were there: it had the perfect cast, perfect director, perfect premise. But I wanted more.
You could not ask for a more appropriate cast. Whenever Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall and Bora- I mean - Sacha Baron Cohen appeared, I smiled with glee. Cohen stole the show in his brief appearance as a snooty Italian rival barber. As for the directing, the blood was flowing, the settings were depressing, and the dark humor was squeamishly abundant. My favorite scene was when Carter's character was daydreaming about being in love with Sweeney Todd. Just a wonderful blend of dark, weird and hilarious.
Unfortunately, I do not know why I could not love this film. Perhaps, it was the story. Granted that I have never seen the musical, nor do I know the differences between the two versions. Even though it was a dark comedy, none of the characters were exactly likable. Rarely are characters hell-bent on revenge intriguing. Also, I think Rickman held back his nastiness, perhaps to save it for the other 'Harry Potter' films. Maybe I over-hyped it myself, after all, along with 'Transformers' it was the film I was most looking forward to in 2007.
The more I think about this film, the more I wanted to re-watch 'Sleepy Hollow'. That was equally dark, weird and gory, but I had more fun.
What I would change
No idea.
Random
Harry Potter fans may be amused at seeing Severus Snape and Peter Pettigrew.
Also, this was the second time the great Christopher Lee was cut out of a film.
