"In these once familiar streets I feel shadows..."Tim Burton's musical (!) definitely one of the most wanted films from 2007. And it delivers. Stunning visuals, tactile atmosphere, perfect characters (I would risk that Sacha Baron Cohen as Signor Adolfo Pirelli is better than Depp), acting, and music. ...(*sigh) Too much music.
Tim Burton fans will kill me because of this: The almost two hours movie is too long. What I really want to say: Boring. Sometimes. (Huh, I could write down.) Sorry for this, but be honest: during watching the film around after the 15th song our enthusiasm over the brave and unique form is getting evaporate. I mean the songs are ok, but they are slowing down the story. The story what you can describe with two sentences. Even the film does it: "Benjamin Barker is back with a new name: Sweeney Todd. And he will have his revenge."
All right, this film is not about the story at first place. We know about Sweeney's vengeance from the book (George Dibdin-Pitt) or from earlier cinematic versions (1926, 1928, 1936, 2006), but at least from the hype which introduced the film. What else then? It should be something about the style and the genre. The earlier is perfect: Burton professionally delivers his unique world through film language again. The latter one is something new. Musical. Somehow it was predictable that Burton is going to try out one time. Fits to his surreal worlds and storytelling method. But despite of all these, somehow it doesn't work. At least somehow doesn't work two hours long. Right, listen: somehow it doesn't work two hours long for me.
"Otherwise" everything is working fine in the film. You will have blood and tears in Burton's way (definitely more blood), a real Shakespearian end and even the "closest shave you've ever had" ... if you understand what I am, more precise Mr. T. is saying.
Don't believe my words, absolutely worth to watch (even if the best Burton-film remains Ed Wood. There's no doubt about this)! Shouldn't think that the lightness what the musical brings makes the film's genre or maybe Todd's heart softer:)
8/10
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