With the combined talents of Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd was always going to be good. Brilliant, even. This trio made in heaven never fails to impress. The contributions of Alan Rickman, ever the epitome of the villainous character, Timothy Spall as his snivelling sidekick and young actors Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener and Ed Sanders do this film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical no harm. The story itself is tragic and full of vengeance against society. Benjamin Barker, an exiled barber living under the alias of Sweeney Todd, returns to London seeking revenge against the malevolent Judge Turpin, who ruined his life by arresting him and subsequently ruining his wife Lucy and adopting their pretty daughter Joanna. It's not long before Todd runs into Mrs. Lovett, the worst pie maker in London. The pair soon cook up an evil and deranged scheme to get their back on Turpin, and ultimately society. The film runs smoothly from start to finish, punctuated by musical numbers with gruesome yet catchy lyrics. Burton's portrayal of London in the 19th century is deliciously sordid and evil, with dark, dreary lighting and costuming. I am possibly the most squeamish person in the world and yet I still enjoyed Sweeney Todd thoroughly as the gore is deliberately unrealistic, almost comedic. I cannot recommend this film enough.
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