Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Review

Well, first of all, the company that runs our local movie-plex wouldn't run Sweeney Todd, because they said they couldn't make enough money (who knows...). Then, a couple of months later, they ran it. I waited for the DVD. I was a little angry because I really, really wanted to see this film. I love Broadway musicals; I really like Tim Burton; I really like Johnny Depp!! I have another tie to the original movie, as well. Based on the old, old movie: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street... my Mom went to see it when she was a kid and got into lots of trouble from my Grampa (too much information).

Anyway, I popped the DVD into my player, as my wife exited to the upstairs stating she had no desire to see this movie. I settled back , the movie began and I was enthralled. It was dark and moody and mysterious and quirky. This was just prior to the first throat cutting scene. Okay, I got through that, imagining how they did this on Broadway. Then there was the next and the next and the next, ad nauseum.

By the time the movie was over and especially including the last 15 minutes, I was over or under the top. I was pretty much grossed out and horrified.

The movie was very well done with great performances... but, holy cow! The best word I can come up with is "horrific."

Really glad I didn't see it in the theatre. Equally glad I didn't buy the DVD.

Kinda glad I lived through it!