Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Reviews

I read the first part of an acquaintance's review before I saw the film and had to stop (yes, there be a few spoilers here). But I was thrilled that this extremely opinionated person was throwing out the superlatives left and right.This is an absolutely beautifully-executed, exquisitely dark and brooding adaptation of the Broadway musical. I'm afraid the gorgeous music and poignancy, power, and creativeness of Stephen Sondheim's lyrics will be lost on many viewers, who will titter, as a few young women did in the audience I sat with, and lose the story that is being told here. — Tim… read full review »

Tim Burton's excellent retelling of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is dark and macabre - as it should be. — — The tale of Sweeney Todd is an old one, and exists in many cultures. A barber, driven mad by the loss of his family, exacts revenge against those who wronged him by cutting their throats as he shaves them. — — Sweeney had been transported to Australia on a trumped-up charge after his wife caught the eye of a corrupt judge. He returns to find his wife dead, and his now-teenage daughter living with the judge as his ward.… read full review »

Last night we got the DVD & it was our after dinner treat.  Both my husband & myself just love Tim Burton's creations when mixed with Johnny Depp.  Since "Edward Scissorhands" they have brought countless great creations to the screen & oscar talks.  They both deserve many.... — Never guessing this was a musical which added to the entertainment since singing is fare from a Depp requirement.  Also the makeup was the worst for a reason.  Just too much owder & pancake on their faces with the black eye shadow used on lids as well as under eye to give that deadly… read full review »

Admittedly this is not my usual movie type, Johnny Depp or not.  However, I am a fan of musicals, and Depp, and Burton.  As with many of Burton's projects, it has dark comedy and Depp is brilliant at delivering that type of fare. — — I was surprised at how good the singing was, and had no problem with the diction.  Because much of the tale and motivation behind Todd's plan of revenge is contained within song, diction is important--so much of plot could otherwise have been lost.  It was very well done. The music was "catchy" but not insultingly simple like… read full review »

I was really surprised how much I loved this movie.  Sweeney Todd is a classic play, but I didn't really know the story until seeing this movie.  I was delighted that it starred Johnny Depp, who was perfect for the main role.  Sweeney Todd is the story of a barber who was wrongly accused by a jealous judge in the prime of his life.  He was torn away from his lovely wife just so the judge could have her.  Years later the barber, now known as Sweeney Todd returned to enact his revenge.  I love not only the story because it is gory, but also because it is a… read full review »

The older I get, the less I seem to like gore, but for all the talk about the blood in this flick I must be desensitized somewhat because I found myself far more affected by the emotional pain Johnny Depp brought to the character than by the scenes of throat cutting. I didn't think it was even in the same leagues with all the flicks out there today that seem to revel in how many different ways you can destroy a human body since it was so rich in character and had what I found to be a rather heartwrenching plot.  Granted, unlike the play where the violence is "off in the distance", the… read full review »

I really do think this was a very different movie then most thought it would be. Johnny Depp blew me away with not only his acting (as always) but his singing (he did come to L.A. to start a band and ended up ... well you see). I've heard people say its sad and morbid and sick and such but if you were to look at the over all picture what better way to end it???? Could they have gotten back what they had? Could they turn back time and fix all the wrongs? Could they have become the people they were? I think not. If you take this movie for what its worth you'll see the true story and not just… read full review »

Sweeny Todd was amazing! If you are a Tim Burton fan, you will appreciate his take on Sweeny Todd. Singing was suprisingly good, kudos to JOhnny Depp and the younger members of the cast in particular. Helen Bonham Carter left something to be desired in the singing department. Parts were bloody, but in an unrealistic way, which didn't make you cringe too much. Interesting story, great… read full review »

this movie was a reicpe for perfection, Johny Depp, Tim Burton, Musical, Blood, meat pies, plot twist, more blood, great acting, and over all great storyline.  I loved it, it goes along with 2007's best movies (including transformers, pans labrynth, and 300)  I love all of Tim Burtons work. —… read full review »

This film was very good...but there was a lot of singing, especially from Johnny Depp. He's still a great actor. The film was excellently cast, and although it is a little gory for some, overall its a great… read full review »

I loved the movie.  I thought the black and white added to the sadness and revenge and provided an awesome background to the blood-letting.  It is a super love story with a twist.  Johnny played a perfect man done wrong.  Helen was awesome as a woman keeping a secret that could have changed the whole outcome of the movie.  I about cried when he almost killed his daughter and I did cry when he realized he killed his wife.  It is exactly what I expected from the creative mind of Tim… read full review »

I know that everyone's heard by now that this movie is bloody and that there's a lot of gore.  I'm not going to tell you that it isn't, but I am going to tell you that it may not be as disturbing in context as you may think.  The cinematography is spectacular & the lighting & colors are very muted - except for the blood, which is RED.  I mean really bright red, red.  The effect is that the blood seems almost cartoonish.  Also, the fact that this a musical makes the blood (and the killing) seem very theatrical and unreal.  I frequently have problems with my kids… read full 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… read full review »