Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ is a 2007 musical film starring Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter. It was directed by Tim Burton. The films songs are all quite fun and well made. The performances are all quite solid and the film is thoroughly enjoyable.

After serving 15 years exiled to Australia for a crime he didn't commit, Benjamin Barker, now Sweeney Todd (Depp), returns to London to find his wife dead and his daughter in the hands of the evil Judge Turpin (Rickman). In his anger, Sweeney goes on a murderous rampage on all London. With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Carter), he opens a barber shop in which he lures his victims with a charming smile before casually ending their lives with a flick of his razor across their necks. But not one man nor ten thousand men killed can satisfy Sweeney's lust for vengeance on those who've caused his years of pain.

Many people are turned off of films such as this as they don’t see themselves being able to enjoy a musical film. However this would be a great film to help introduce them into this. The songs are all enjoyable and most songs end before too long. There is also plenty of violence and gore for viewers who think that a musical would be “too soft”. However the songs do play an integral part in progressing the plot of the film so they are used often.

The film showcases some great performances from most of its cast. The late Alan Rickman gives a great and very enjoyable performance as the film’s antagonist. Johnny Depp also gave a fairly good performance, he felt very empty and wooden at times, however that makes sense in the context of the film and his characters story. Carter is very fun to watch in this film. Her first song ‘The Worst Pies in London’ was hilarious.

The plot of the film requires the audience to accept a lot of leaps, such as how ok Mrs. Lovett is with making pies from human meat. She didn’t even require convincing. However most of these are easy enough to accept and don’t bring the film down very much if at all.

Overall the film is very enjoyable and a good entrance to the musical genre of film. It has its own set of flaws, however the film isn’t tarnished too much by them. The songs are mostly good and fun to listen to. The cast is mostly great, and very well cast.

Score: 7/10