Running Time: 1hr 57min
Certificate: Rated 18
Genre: Crime drama/Musical/Thriller

SYNOPSIS: Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical thriller “Sweeney Todd.” Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who “shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again.” Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney’s amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge’s wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.

Personal Review Points: 7/10

Unfortunately, it’s a musical. As I’m not much of a “looker”, I didn’t read up on my facts before watching this film. Paying £12 at the cinema for myself and a friend, it wasn’t particularly the best way to spend my money. If you’re looking for a good storyline, you’ve found it. But the constant chirping and old style singing from Johnny Depp and the rest of the cast left my ears ringing for hours afterward.

The costumes and setting of old London were excellent. Seeing the brilliant Sacha Baron Cohen (who plays Borat and Ali G in other films) was especially a nice surprise. Although this film is a Thriller, there were certainly moments that made me giggle under my breath. The songs - as annoying as they became - were very relevant to the film and without listening to the words, you wouldn’t understand the rest.

This film is a typical Tim Burton work, magical and strange with a serious story behind it. Full of well known celebrities and as always, Johnny Depp makes the part his own. It’s definitely a film you need to watch from beginning to end, without any interruptions. If you miss just ten minutes you might not catch up with the story at all.

Everything is pretty much explained from the start - a few things being left unanswered to keep you guessing. The ending is certainly a big surprise so I can’t disgrace that considering most films have a soddy conclusion that makes you wish you hadn’t even made the effort to press play on the DVD recorder.

All in all - it’s not that bad a film. Unfortunately it was the singing and musical side of it all that spoiled it for me. I must say it’s certainly different for an 18 cert film to be made like that - but it just didn’t press the right spot with me. The story was enjoyable and the characters were fun and well thought out. Everyone played their role perfectly, just as you’d expect it. I’d recommend watching - but only if you can stand two hours of song and dance.