Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

The average user rating for this Movie is 7.4 out of 10 (based on 264 Votes).

Navdeep S. gave it a1:
To say the least this movie would be the last on the list i would like to watch(even if its a Johny Depp movie).The reason i didn't like this movie was was not made for normal people.....i mean how can a person serve burgers having human organs.......and to add to the woes ending of the movie was ridiculous.

Mary M. gave it a10:
One of my favorite films and seems to get better each time I view it. Johnny Depp is a wonder. The music, ah, Sondheim! The costumes and cinematography are wonderful and it's why it got an Oscar for the later. It's a musical if you don't especially like musicals. Bloody good!

Nicholas G gave it a7:
I felt that scenes which did not involve Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter were much more interesting. The exeption to this is the shaving competition which was only good because of Sacha Baron Cohen, who by the way was my favourite character and probably sung the best.

Lauren s gave it a9:
Blood curly, sad, melodramatic sensastion combined with Boham Carter, Depp and Burton to create one of the biggest motion pictures of 2007. Defiently on my favorites list. Loved it! Wonderful movie, btw: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH.

Pooria gave it a10:
The best musical of all Cinema History !

Rodrigo M. gave it a7:
I Think that was a good movie, but that's all. The acting was great, the screenplay was incredible, but the singing was annoying. If the film werent a musical, i'd love it , and i'd give it a 10. Sorry for the bad english.

Matt H gave it a6:
I didn't entirely dislike the film but I felt there were a lot of plot avenues that were left unexplored which rendered a lot of the motivations of the main characters somewhat ambiguous. I enjoyed the visuals but only the first few times they were shown! A bit more variety in the depictions of the sets, characters and actions would have gone a long way. I thought the singing performances were great but the songs were structureless and dull which is not a good thing in a musical with more singing than speaking. As the music was already in place it was not a symptom of a poor film but in fact the root cause of a film that misses it's marks - it was an obstacle that the director nor the cast could possibly overcome.

Matt S gave it a10:
One of the best musicals ever, made by the perfect director for the project (ending a streak of very mediocre films) and cast with intelligence and skill. Anyone who doesn't find this music glorious and terrifying is from a different planet. I saw it thrice in the theaters.

Mike S. gave it a5:
The film, much like Shakespeare's Hamlet, gets across the point that revenge will bring about a tragic ending and seldom go as planned. Unlike Hamlet, this film seeks to jar your mouth open and pour in as much gore and tasteless violence as possible, so you're left with indigestion while you're comprehending it afterwards. Take the idea of the forced open throat as you will. This movie neither attracted me, nor repelled me: kind of like the effect of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Yvette R. gave it a10:
It was a great movie!! I was introduced to it by my friend and I thoght it was going to ber gross. It turned out to be a work of art!! But I agree with Joe G. It did have a poor ending. What happened to the boy is what im still asking?

Ally L. gave it a10:
I just loved this movie. The way it was directed, the way the actors portrayed their characters with convincing emotions, even their voices, which actually were pretty good, appealed to me. Even though I'd first heard of this in November 2007, it's still the top of my list of all-time favorite movies

Larry R. gave it a4:
The singing is annoying; the songs are mediocre. If the actors would have just not sung, the movie might have been tolerable.

Joe B. gave it a10:
A Masterpiece, made even moreso by Johnny Depp. I ask, 'is there nothing this man cannot do?'

Dominic W. gave it a10:
I saw the Blu-Ray version of this film on a 1080p large screen and was treated to an awe inspiring visual treat. The film itself rates as one of the best I've seen for a very long time. And I hate musicals.

Erin B. gave it a10:
It's official! There is absolutely nothing Johnny Depp can't do! Twisted in a beautiful way!

Christopher J. gave it a9:
This musical shows what happens when hate consumes you, and it does it in a brilliantly entertaining manner. It's funny, it's clever, it's visually striking, it's consuming, it's great. It's a modern tragedy.

Joe G. gave it an8:
Good goryish film but it has a bit of a poor ending.

Brandon M. gave it a9:
One of my favorite films! I love how the music was used to tell the story rather than to overdue the certain topic at hand; as most musical films do. This film reminds me of the old Tim Burton films, with the dark pale skin, sunken eyes, and dark backgrounds (even though its day). Johnny Depp was extremely good in this part, even with him singing! I highly recommend this film.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
There was a movie about a demon barber and his wife, and it was beautiful.

Devon S gave it a10:
The first word that pops into my mind when someone mentions Sweeney Todd is "perfect".

Shane C gave it a4:
Sweeney todd was a crap film. Burton is running out of steam, and has been for quite some time: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was blah; Corpse Bridge was crap. He did Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Sleepy Hollow; three pretty good films. What was Sweeney Todd (aside from another adaptation of someone else's work)?--A watered down (or bloodied up) uninspired mish mash of those three films. I mean that is exactly what it is, so exactly. I mean of course Burton is going to utilize his signature style in his works, but the similarities are beyond striking. If I didn't know it was Burton, I'd think it was a crap ripoff of him. Sweeney Todd is bland and cheap, no matter how much money they put into it. I probably would have thought even less of the film if I had seen the Broadway prior to seeing the film. Now I'm not even interested.

[Anonymous] gave it a3:
Soulless.

m m gave it a4:
lifeless and in the end boring. The lackluster singing of the leads and lack of chemistry doomed this venture. I find Simon B and DJs comments below funny - no bad movies, is that a real statement? And complaining to the editors of metacritic about the 83 score - blame the critics - I see a lot of 90 and 100s up there.

k e gave it a10:
Best Tim Burton film and best johnny depp film. The songs are good and the ending just tragic.

C Boy gave it a3:
I'll admit it is full of blood and Johnny was brilliant in it but thats just circumstantial compared to the sheer rubbishness of the story!!!

Frederick M. gave it a3:
just shoot me, thats what i said heading out of the theatre, I absolutely hated this musical/slasher flick, the two should never meet again, except for Jason Voorhies meets the Brady bunch, then...maybe.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Outstanding film, Johnny Depp can capture any character and turn it into an Oscar worthy performance. Great job Depp and Burton.

Soren K. gave it a7:
'Sweeny' is undoubtedly a Burton film with all that that means beautifully fleshed out - indulgent sets, razor sharp acting, and a quirky, campy gothic narrative. Unfortunately, the music falls flat on it's head.

Simon B. gave it a9:
I've been a movie-goer since I was little. I've been watching movies on and off the TV. There isn't much I haven't already seen and there isn't much I can't compare to something else. For once, we get a movie that's quality, that's creative. It's a remake of a play and it shows. I think with all the effort put through this , some people (COUGH PHIL.D COUGH) should have more consideration. Instead of hating the movie just because it's made by Tim Burton, you should try actually watching it. I am a musician and I would say that the camera play was dead-on with the music. It always FIT it was always where it should be. Timing things such as gestures to every beat made it all the more interesting as a musical comedy. The plot was simply revenge involving Judge Turpin and Benjamin (AKA Sweeney Todd) Barker, played by J-Depp. Johnny Depp is a brilliant actor, as Tim Burton said it, the actors weren't meant to be full of life in their movements, because that's what the make-up was for. How contradictory would it be for a "cold, bitter man" to play "lively musical dancer", do you think? The singing I wouldn't find anything "embarrassing" into as some have said. Johnny Depp didn't strike a note wrong and he was singing very well. Everything playing in that movie I found catchy and it's really cruel to pretend that it's nothing but scrap heap. There was TREMENDOUS effort put through this by the actors and the crew. There aren't bad movies: Just bad audiences.

DJ Danny gave it a2:
This is bad. Critics gave this an 83? WTF. Metacritic needs to readjust the critic calculation. [Ed: Sure thing, DJ....]

Seth V. gave it a10:
Fantastic movie. Burton's best, thanks mostly to Sondheim, but also to beautiful performances by Depp, Bonham Carter, Rickman and Baron Cohen. Highly recommended.

Jay H. gave it a7:
This is a tough movie to rate. Johnny Depp is remarkable, the sets, costumes and cinematography are outstanding. Tim Burton's imaginative direction is great. I thought the music wasn't particularly memorable and the story was hard to stay focused on, and was boring sometimes, But a good effort. Visually it is quite remarkable.

Nico . gave it a9:
This film is so cool, i can't forget all the songs and the blood.

Gatsby J. gave it an8:
-I don't think Burton is a "genius" but contarary to Phil D's passionate tirade against the director, I think Burton's movies are fun to watch and I do like the visual style. But as for those brilliant reviewers who say they hate the movie and list "boring boring boring" or eloquently complain that "nobody dance" during the movie, they're not really giving much detail. -I like the movie because the plot was simple and compelling, the idea of the two lovers who can't be together (Depp's character and the woman he loved), but twisted around slightly by echoing them in a younger generation of lovers who have hope of happiness. I thought the visual style was excellent, and here's an EXAMPLE (people need to give more of these): the moment when Depp's character gets his box of barber-knives back and holds one up to his face, and you see his mad, twisted reflection in the clear silver of the blade, and he says that his arms is once again complete. Anyone want to argue that Burton's directing or Depp's acting or the script was off during that moment? London was also grim and beautifully depicted, as fits the whole Industrial Revolution look of it. -The music was fantastic and the singing was much better than I thought it would be (people tended to cringe when the first line of the movie was sung, but then they started getting into it). -Acting was great, especially Depp and Rickman. My only problem was the ending was rushed and flawed, since we don't really get any info on the young lovers. -Good movie; watch it, then judge it.

[Anonymous] gave it a6:
Why this movie have to be musical if the songs are bored and nobody dance?

Chelse P gave it a10:
I walked into the theatre, not knowing what to expect, and walked out humming the tunes. I didn't even really know a thing about Sondheim whatsoever, and now I'm considering tracking down the musical. My personal, and quite unexpected, favorite movie of the year!

Alessandro C. gave it a0:
Truly terrible. Boring, boring and... boring!!

Riccardo T. gave it a6:
The large number of gruesome scenes prevent a lot of spectators from appreciating this movie.

Mary M. gave it a6:
Like Sleepy Hollow, this is a film which hovers somewhere between boring characters, too grey colours and fresreshing, honourable attempt to make an old-fashioned Gothic romance.

Felix K. gave it a9:
I've seen the German version of the movie and the one and only thing that disturbed me is that we had to read subtitles while hearing the english text sung by the German dub actors. But I can't understand why this film didn't receive nominees for "Best Motion Picture" ; "Best Achievement In Directing" for Tim Burton; "Best Leading Actress" for Helena Carter and "Best Supporting Actor" for Alan Rickman. Definitely worth money and time and - by the way - the best cooperation ever of Burton and Depp !!!

Phil D gave it a3:
Someone has to say it: Tim Burton is a hasbeen. There, I said it, and I'm glad it's out there. Quell your outrage for a moment and just entertain the idea. You know I'm right. His 'unique visual style' is totally stagnant, he really hasn't got much feeling for pace or character or timing. He's just 'quirky', and his quirks are getting old really fast. I've seen more captivating insights into the nature of man during my little brothers christmas pageants. I can put up with one or two godawful pieces of trash, but Sweeny Todd has confirmed my suspicions that Burton is clueless. The less said about the singing the better. Depp, frankly, is embarrassing. The songs themselves are totally forgettable, and not at all funny. The plot is predictable. Remarkably, the minor characters are the only redeeming feature in this disaster. Old what's-his-name, the short fat guy with the top hat - I liked him. Also, young so-and-so, the one who rescued what's-her-name from wherever. He was intriguing. Carter, too, was excellent as usual. Throw in the towel Burton. Your time is up! ps If anyone starts oozing about what a genius Burton is I want to point out that you are probably still delirious from the poisonous garbage he's been shoveling down your throat and are incapable of judgment. Later.

Leticia H. gave it a9:
I really liked this movie! I thought it was great and I don't like musicals at all but this was a good one!

Gloria F. gave it a10:
Excellent acting Some scenes hard to watch.

Anne R. gave it a10:
Awesome music, amazing acting, outstanding movie! One of the best films I've ever seen. I honestly was not expecting to like it, but I was pleasantly surprised! Had me singing for weeks afterward!

Joe U. gave it a5:
I should start my review by saying that I have seen all Sondheim musicals on stage without exception, and I have never been a big fan of his. I know this is not the accepted opinion among the self-appointed intelligentsia elites, especially in NYC, but it is an opinion shared by many. Just count the ticket receipts from many of his plays, especially his latest ones, worldwide. Having said that, this is a movie, not a stage musical, but it is still a musical, which happens to be a movie. And I still didn't like it. I didn't like the musical part, I didn't care for the production values, and I didn't care for the blood and gore, that I can see anytime by watching any movie in the Chainsaw Massacre film series. I did like H.Bonham carter, despite all, but little else. I get the sense that many, especially critics, prefer not to criticize anything that comes from Sondheim, instead of voicing their truer, and more intimate opinions, from fear, rather than from their integrity.

Patrick d. gave it a7:
Dark, surprising, fantastic actors, great picture, powerful music by Elfman. Tim Burton still makes great movies. Two things I didn't like: the lyrics are so so, and the movie is sometimes slow. But it is still a great experience.

John K. gave it a9:
Excellent film, great soundtrack, great story, lovely. Definitely worth your time!

Kathryn C. gave it a10:
One of the best films I have ever seen. I loved it.

Anne R. gave it a10:
Awesome music, amazing acting, outstanding movie! One of the best films I've ever seen. I honestly was not expecting to like it, but I was pleasantly surprised! Had me singing for weeks afterward!

Joe U gave it a5:
I should start my review by saying that I have seen all Sondheim musicals on stage without exception, and I have never been a big fan of his. I know this is not the accepted opinion among the self-appointed intelligentsia elites, especially in NYC, but it is an opinion shared by many. Just count the ticket receipts from many of his plays, especially his latest ones, worldwide. Having said that, this is a movie, not a stage musical, but it is still a musical, which happens to be a movie. And I still didn't like it. I didn't like the musical part, I didn't care for the production values, and I didn't care for the blood and gore, that I can see anytime by watching any movie in the Chainsaw Massacre film series. I did like H.Bonham carter, despite all, but little else. I get the sense that many, especially critics, prefer not to criticize anything that comes from Sondheim, instead of voicing their truer, and more intimate opinions, from fear, rather than from their integrity.

Patrick D. gave it a7:
Dark, surprising, fantastic actors, great picture, powerful music by Elfman. Tim Burton still makes great movies. Two things I didn't like: the lyrics are so so, and the movie is sometimes slow. But it is still a great experience.

John K. gave it a9:
Excellent film, great soundtrack, great story, lovely. Definitely worth your time!

Kathryn C. gave it a10:
One of the best films I have ever seen. I loved it.

Michael E. gave it a4:
No fun at all. To the extent that there is a plot it is transparent and redundant. To the extent that there is a subtext (regarding class warfare) it is brushed aside and stereotyped at every opportunity. To the extent that there are songs they are unmemorable and occasionally tuneless. To the extent that there is a visual design it is unimpressive. One of the least interesting films around.

Letícia L. gave it a10:
The best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Much better than most of the academy award nominates.

Jessica H gave it a10:
Beautiful adaptation of the stage musical. Johnny Depp's and Helena Bonham Carter's singing wasn't that great, but the overall effect was fantastic. The cinematography was stunning, and the acting was equally amazing. I can't say enough good things about the movie, although it was more gory than I expected.

Kane G. gave it a10:
I loved this movie it was the most brutal thing I'v ever seen "I a diffrent kind of hate if it were a street gang I'd go to war with it ".it was like heavy Metal WITH OUT THE METAL!

Tanmay S. gave it a9:
too operatic to be involving, and the music gets to you after a point. But brilliant, not least for its performances.

Jesse W. gave it a4:
Amazing movie in all respects except one; the singing was extremely bad... like squirm in your seat and cover your ears bad. Headache bad. It was like sitting through 2 hours of alley cats yowling. I would have scored it higher if it was on mute!

Albin G gave it a9:
Brilliant stuff. I just find it ashame that the ratings around the net are being dragged down by people giving it poor reviews based on the fact that it is a musical. Some people have actual complaints about the music, which i have no problem with. It's just when people give it 0 siting "it's a musical lol so it must sucks obviously". I thought the music was brilliant. I felt that Anthony was a bit weak in the long run. A few too many mushy glazed leers into the middle-distance. I thought everyone else did their job well. Good music, good singing, good entertainment. Some excellent suspense work, as well as lots of (thematically justified) blood. I was gripped after 5 minutes. Good stuff all round.

Colin B gave it a9:
The most bloodilicious film I've seen in ages, and yet the most entertaining film of the holiday season. This is certainly the best of the Depp-Burton collaborations since Edward Scissorhands. Depp will mesmerize you as he slices and sings his way through the role of Todd, and Helena Bonham Carter's exclusion from a supporting actress nomination makes me want to grind the academy into meat pies. The set design is stunning as well, portraying a filthy, undesirable, yet surprising intimate setting. While the film has to take a few deep breaths to start chugging away at the beginning, Sweeney Todd is well worth it.

Jul L. gave it a10:
I loved it singing very good considering nobody was a pro. (plus they sounded better than have the crap on the radio) and visually captivating, which I could see it again and again and again.

Ari K. gave it a7:
Much better on stage. Almost shameful on screen.

xy w gave it a5:
An absolute visual feast bogged down by teeth-jarring songs. Full marks are given to the half of the movie that consisted of normal conversation. Sometimes, leaving the cinema straight away seems a much more pleasant preposition than sitting through apparently endless crooning of ‘bad pies’ and ‘yellow hair’. The ‘musical’ exchanges between Johanna and Antony never fail to raise goose bumps; in fact Anthony seems to be able to do the job alone just fine. The entire storyline is so amazingly simplistic and predictable that one is obliged to think that it is a musical simply because there is too little content to be put into a normal movie. The only parts I enjoyed are the song-free parts. Amazingly contradictory for a musical, isn’t it.

Jim J gave it a10:
Absolutely mesmerizing, the best movie experience in years. I have seen this 4 times and plan to watch it many more times on the DVD. All that has to be said has already been said in the reviews, all that is left is for everyone to watch it.

Karen C. gave it a10:
I'm sorry some of you disliked it, but I found this to be one of the best films I've ever seen. It definitely jumped to my all time favorite. Sondheim is not always a composer people take to right away, but he is undeniably one of the most respected, and well loved composers of the American Musical and Sweeney Todd a true classic. I fully expected to be disappointed and in fact, could not contain myself over this incredible adaptation. Not a copy, not a stage on film but a true film, in itself. Yes, it has style, it has emotional depth, it is beautiful to watch and a delight to experience. I have seen it now repeated times, and unlike other films that warranted multiple viewings, no flaws showed up. No slow spots, nothing that I would want done differently. It flows with grace and elegance. People who feel there is no emotion must simply not like this type of film. The story is not a complicated on. It is a revenge tragedy. It's a 200 year old legend that is a beloved musical that has stood the test of time since it debuted in 1979. This is a fable, a legend. How complicated is any legend? It is the ultimate story with an anti-hero who is morally corrupt and yet, you shift your moral compass in watching this. More so than usual with the film. Depp presents a tragic, saddened and terribly frustrated Sweeney with whom one can sympathize. I do feel for those of you who didn't enjoy it, but the fact is that it is a musical. It was conceived as a musical, presented as a musical, it makes no apologies for being a musical. More than that it is more an operetta. And it succeeds as a musical film more than any I have seen. And does it beautifully, with outstanding performances.

Oren K gave it a10:
Absolutely one of the best movies I've ever seen. The cinematography was stunning, perfectly Tim Burton, and I found that there was not a single moment when I was bored. Highly recommended.

Cassian J. gave it a9:
If there is a musical more suited to the magical Tim Burton than Sweeney Todd I will be very surprised. This really is a match made in heaven, high octaves and oceans of blood shaken into a delightful Burton cocktail. I am not familiar with he source material so do not know how faithful the movie is, but the movie had the feeling of a stage show with only a few sets used ah but what beautiful Gothic sets they are lending the movie a cartoonish Gothic feel). The songs are well staged with Johnny Depp in particular benefiting from no singing lessons delivery his lines instead with a sense of menace and madness. Depp as ever delivers a stunning performance helped as usual by Burton’s camera loving him as it does his Mrs the again excellent Helena Bonham Carter, who for me gives her best performance since fight club. In the end the whole cast is marvelous with great performances given from Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall ( as Judge Turpin and his slimy assistant Beedle Bamford) and a great cameo from Sacha Baron Coen as a rival barber. The basic premise of the movie is that Sweeney Todd returns to London from unnamed location where he has been wrongfully imprisoned seeking vengeance on the man who wrongfully imprisoned him Judge Turpin. The movie is stunningly shot with some real gore so if you do not like the sight of blood then steer clear. However if you can stomach the blood then there is so much to enjoy here. Dive in to a magical fairy tale and enjoy one of Burton’s finest movies.

mandy g. gave it a6:
Film was good.. but i think that with it being a musical spoiled it...it dragged it on far too long!

B L gave it a10:
This is the only movie in the last few years that I thought was worth spending the money on to see it more than once in a theater. After that I bought the soundtrack and am more convinced every day that it's in the best 5 musicals of all time.I kind of feel sorry for the people here who gave it unusually low ratings or don't "get" why the critics consider it first rate. It's also too bad that Dreamworks/Paramount is either doing so little, or just doing such a bad job at marketing it. But that I can understand. There hasn't been much like it in theaters before just as there hadn't been much like it on Broadway before it.

Bryan L gave it a10:
It's disappointing, but not unexpected to see reviews here from people who think film suffers because the music is not memorable. (One review here hilariously suggests to see the sub-mediocre Hairspray instead which isn't even a good imitation of Grease!) I'd heard the Sweeney Broadway soundtrack and knew a few of the nicer songs (covered by people like Streisand) but it took this film for me to finally get in a big way what a masterpiece Sondheim had created 25 years ago. Sorry, folks, but the greatest music isn't always likable upon first hearing and the controlled dissonance and the complex way themes intertwine here is eons beyond standard pop or even standard musicals. I put this up there with West Side Story (also Sondheim, at least in lyrics) in terms of raw genius. No time to go into the filmic aspects or acting performances (except to say that Helena Bonham Carter I think was almost equal to Depp) but this was the most compelling movie overall that I've seen in years. I agree that it's darker and has less humor than the stage version but I don't see that as a loss. Different idiom, so a different interpretation. Same with the singing. Johnny Depp's less-skilled and less powerful voice is perfect for this version. Depp uses his crackling voice to emote while singing in a way I never imagined he could. A kick-ass "pro" baritone powerhouse would have ruined it. I understand completely why this film has made so many critic top ten lists. I'd say I'm sorry it's not in the Best Picture for Oscar, but I haven't seen all the other nominees yet.

Tom P. gave it a4:
I find it hard to completely dislike almost any movie but Sweeney Todd is an exception. I found nothing to like in this overly stylized tribute to the darkness in the souls of men. The inevitable and predictable violence was gratuitous and strangely without meaning. The characterizations were particularly shallow except, perhaps, for Helena Bonham Carter's as Mrs. Lovett and Ed Sanders as Toby. The music, which many reviewers have attempted to redeem as "adequate" or "acceptable" is, in fact, awful. The scoring is overwhelmingly harsh and within seconds after leaving the theater I could not remember a single melody or more than two or three words of any lyric. I'm sorry, but Johnny Depp is not a singer. Moreover his facial and body nuances were nothing more than rehashed Cap'n Jack from Pirates. And I say this as a pretty big Depp fan in general. As usual Tim Burton has created a deeply atmospheric experience but it's not enough to carry the day. With regret, not recommended.

Tariq P. gave it a2:
I completely agree with so many of you. Style over substance. I found this painfully hard to watch as it was so boring

James P. gave it a6:
Awesome performances, amazing production design, great costumes, some amusing lyrics but APPALLING music. Not one memorable tune in the whole film. If you want a great musical, go rent Hairspray - Sweeney Todd is more to be admired than enjoyed.

Jociline gave it a10:
I will not deny the original was better nor that not all of the songs were interesting... but you can not judge a movie on a predepositioned hate for musicals. Burton masterfully crafts the dark atmosphere, and clashes it with characters that do not seem to notice it (shy one rather important sub-character). Depp naturally becomes Mr. Todd, and clearly IS the film, but it's not like it's a wait to get back to the interesting psycho... rather... stuff... Either way, I went in by proclaiming that a movie can not be judged by a predeposition against that movie. It's a musical, big deal... it's not a slasher, horror, thriller or love story. It's drama. It's all about the interactions between people... and a bit about disturbing you with the psychotic nature of Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett. And yes, this is not the best score... often repeating the same lyrics far to often and doing reprisals of other songs within songs... but I found only a few songs detached... the rest were evoking enough to draw me in.. Going in expecting something else causes a sense of being cheated. As such, I feel the reason people disliked Sweeny Todd is because they thought it to be something it is not... and were unwilling to appreciate it for what it is.

Ronald G. gave it a3:
Johnny Depp is always good and Sasha Cohen is wonderful in his short appearance, but how often can you watch Depp slit someone's throat? Can't wait for the copycat crimes!

[Anonymous] gave it a7:
Visually spot on -- the lighting, make-up, and cinematography were excellent. The acting of the principals was spot on, and the singing was well-suited for a movie adaptation. A Broadway singer might have overpowered the film version. And though this was a relatively faithful adaption of the stage version, reading other user reviews leads me to believe that fans of theatrical Sweeny will enjoy the movie but those not familiar with the story and musical may not be as enthused. Although no major plot points were missing, the lack of any use of chorus detracts quite a bit from the original work's soul. "Priest" is a wonderful number, but think Burton misplayed it by being too literal with the visuals accompanying the number. It works better on stage with Lovett and Todd imagining all the varieities of delectables they might create. Overall, this adaptation worked for me -- moreso than Phantom, but I encourage anyone who gets the chance to see the stage version to do so.

Arthur X gave it a3:
Before the first half of the movie was over, I found myself praying that someone would come along and kill Johnny Depp's character. The songs ranged from mediocre, to banal and extremely trying. I use the "songs" loosely because a couple "songs" consisted of the endless repetition of the same two word refrains. The mood is consistently inappropriate, either being too dreary or too lighthearted. I just can't say enough negative things about this movie. The characters were dull and the conclusion was predictable.

David HE gave it a10:
At least 10 to combat the stink of the spammers with low scores which aren't deleted. Powerful film with great cash and although it doesn't capture the musical perfectly the songs are reasonably abridged. A strong 9.

Michael M gave it a2:
I've been the kind of person that reads movie reviews and NEVER says anything myself, but I can't let this one go. This movie had to be one of the most overrated, overhyped two hours of musical boredom. I have been a fan of a lot of Depp and Burton's movies, but this one was one of the least entertaining movies I've seen in awhile. The general activity in the theatre seemed to be divided between checking watches and just trying to stay awake. The dreary, lifeless sets and characters were obviously all well crafted to create a dreary and lifeless tale this time. This film was not unsettling, hardly scary and above all else just not interesting. If had to choose one word to sum up this movie it would be "boring," if had two it would be VERY BORING. If you are a lover of musicals, or tim burton just watch one of your own favorites instead of damaging those feelings by watching this tripe.

Joseph A gave it a9:
Excellent, excellent movie.

Steve G gave it a5:
This is a beautiful looking movie with fine acting performances. Depp and Bonham Carter look terrific. But this is like a souless goth nightmare: It looks cool but has nothing real going on, other than looking cool and being bloody. Removing the "chorus" from the original play guts the moral center that the play delivered. Also Depp and Bonham Carter are so good looking that it's hard to see them as people whose lives have been so horrid that they are permanetly broken. This film suffers from the same problem as many of Burton's films: style over substance.

Whitney T gave it a2:
What happened to the Burton charm of Edward Scissorhands? This movie was over-marketed, over-produced, over-musical. Nothing memorable, except the stupidity that the characters in this dark tale break into ridiculous, unappealing songs every five minutes. It made me groan every time I heard the score starting up. Maybe it would've worked better if it weren't a musical.

Kent C gave it a10:
The music and singing will forever be stuck within your cranium. The blood, while pretty graphic, does not look very real due to the use of stage blood, so while it will make you squeamish (in a good, fun way) it won't make you throw up. Cohen's singing is delightfully funny and Ed Sander's has a lot of potential. Almost every cast member was spot on. Some funny dialogue is also a welcomed addition. Overall, any fan of movies, musicals, or both should NOT MISS THIS MOVIE!

Joey K gave it a7:
Creepy, gory, and wildly entertaining. The acting is great. The music is not so great, but it certainly gets the job done. It's even thought provoking at times. The romantic side plot slows down the movie a lot, yet still manages to go nowhere. But it actually was an important piece of the plot. Overall: Recommended.

jltj R gave it a5:
Great score Regular acting Worst job as a director by Tim Burton Still... Regular Movie

Alex Q gave it a10:
I saw this movie 2xs on consecutive days, first at an AMC, last at a Harkins. The AMC was glorious, strong color and resonant sound. The Harkins viewing was awful--the speakers couldn't handle the higher register so Carter sounded tinny & horrible. Either the film print was bad or the projector bulb weak, but the color was completely desaturated as well. Many times characters were half lost in the shadows. It was very close to a Drive in experience--which makes me wonder if those who did not enjoy the movie saw it under conditions ala Harkins.

Ricky Q gave it a3:
Overall, this is the most over hyped film I have ever seen. If the music was memorable I would understand all the great reviews, but really I don’t see what all these critics saw in this movie. It had a lot of potential which was completely wasted. Even if you are a Depp fan, do yourself a favour and skip this mess that they call a movie.

a b gave it a10:
beautifully created. the songs were memorable, the acting was fabulous, and everything else just followed suit!

Shabaho J. gave it a3:
I was thouroughly browned throughout, therefore it is safe to say that i was in the best mindset to view the film, and so i enjoyed it immensely. But it was pretty lackluster besides being stoned on.

Jenya P. gave it a10:
I was so impressed with this movie and my husband who doesn't like musicals enjoyed it so much that he asked when we were going to be able to go and get the soundtrack because ever since we saw it he has been singing the songs from it!

Conner S gave it a10:
Holy Freaking Crap! this was the most desturbing, amazing movie i have ever seen! The singing in great and the acting is even better! This is not a movie for the light stomached but if you can make it through the gore, it's phenominal! A++!

[Anonymous] gave it a6:
As usual (not always) in movie musicals, the singing of the story destroys all tension in the action and characters, and reduces the overall impact of this fine attempt to tell a grisly story. In addition, the superfluos love story of the youngsters is, apparently, bolted onto the movie with big fat useless rivets.

Holly C gave it a6:
Pretty good, not great, not bad at all---just OK (or a little better than OK). I think there is more hype to this film because of the good credit most audiences and critics have of both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. As most have already commented on--there's something missing (heart maybe?) as well as kind of a weak showing of singing voices from the main actors (though Depp was OK)--and I think that's why they upped the score/sound quite a bit to cover for that. I didn't think the morbid scenes were too bad, given how Burton-campy they were (& the blood is sort of a paintish-orange color). Musical fans might really love this film--as will Tim Burton and Johnny Depp fans--but overall it's not their best. Also, Burton has got to stop giving his girlfriend lead roles she's not right for.

Sheena L. gave it an8:
Tim Burton does an honourable job and taking Sondheim's show and putting it on film. The lighting, sets and make-up paint the screen well however, his choice in casting missed the mark. Depp was too small in stature to play Todd and his voice was no match for Sondheim's score when he sang in his upper register. Bonham Carter spent most of her time looking beautiful (a beautiful Mrs. Lovette?!) and lacked the timing and punctuation needed to get all of the laughs from her songs. The extra scenes that were written into the movie were superfluous but the movie still entertained. It was the youngest three lesser known actors who delivered the vocals the way they were meant to be. I plan to be the first in line to get the DVD.

Bill S. gave it a9:
Having seen the original Broadway production, both revivals of the show on Broadway and several other versions of "Sweeney Todd" over the years, I was not sure of what to expect with the film version. I was very plesantly surpized, however, with the resulting film which I believe captures the essence on the original show while making it work for nthe screen. I found some of the blood-squirting a bit "over the top", but the performances, sets, costumes, screenplay and especially the orchestrations excellent. I have seen nearly all of the critically-praised films of the year and this one ranks with the best. It deserves to be nominated for a bunch of oscars and should win in several categories including "Best Picture" and Director. The original play is not easy to produce on stage and this adaptation is wonderful. It could well have been awful. I cannot wait to see it again (most of Sondheim's shows are best seen more than once because there is so much to savor). Glorious music, lots of great wit and not a dull moment. The movie holds your attention. You won't fall asleep during this one.....for Sweeney may get you if you do!

James V. gave it a2:
Do not see this movie, it's terrible. Be warned it's a musical, a tongue in check one at that and very bad. I have liked all of the other Burton/ Depp collaborations but this one feels like they are trying to just mess with the studios and put out a purposefully bad dud. I have never written a review before and felt compelled to do so because I feel they ripped me off by putting out this "from Dusk Till Dawn" type trash.

Courtney E. gave it a10:
This was the best movie ever i mean it really moved and made you just want to see it more and more times.

The Dude gave it a4:
Yikes! Am I the only one who didn't like this movie? I wanted to like it, but it just didn't do it for me. The songs didn't grab me. By the end there still just weren't any that I liked, so instead of enjoying the music, it felt more like a musical barrage that I just had to endure through. That was compounded by the darkness of the tale. The whole experience was just too abrasive for me. I expected it to be dark, but I expected it to be more fun. There was some humor(black humor, of course!) but overall it was just too bleak and I frankly just didn't care for the songs, so I couldn't enjoy it.

Gabe gave it a5:
If you don't want to see a musical don't go to this movie. I thought the singing was pretty good, especially the little kid. Otherwise I was absolutely disgusted by this movie. Way too much blood, just not my kind of movie.

M S gave it a9:
Would have received 10 out of 10 save for a couple of things that didn't make sense: - opening scene blood is pretty poor - you're stabbing with a razor? you DO realize that the end is blunt, right? - the movie needed a conclusion of some sort (this isn't the stage, Tim Burton) - even if it happened during the end credits

F M. gave it a2:
I've enjoyed cinema for years ... and even like 'dark' cinema (e.g. Naked Lunch, Tideland). I found this to be barely watchable and unintelligent drivel. I think I'll stay at home and play the BluRay release of BladeRunner again to review art. I really wish that Tim Burton would find his Emo muse and would end up in a meat pie. Nightmare before Christmas was solid and a classic with a wonderful Elfman score ... what happened Mr. Burton?

J. K. gave it a6:
Has a case of high expectations pulled the wool over our eyes? The emperor has no clothes with this one. Brilliant set design, inspired casting, flawless performances, and technical mastery all can't make up for the fact that this film has no soul. The bit of audience empathy Burton stirs up for Todd is frozen in minutes by his humorless misanthropy. Soundheim's lyricism does bring needed life to the film. The tunes are good, but not great. They are ultimately forgettable and inadequate supports for the weight of so much mindless gore. With the lack of emotional center, by the time the blood really starts to spurt, each beautiful cut makes me cringe. Somehow the film is much less than the sum of it's parts. Despite truly lovely performances from all, by midway through I don't care anymore, and I'm less enjoying a film than simply waiting for the gore to end.

L. F. gave it a2:
Two stars for the great costumes and for getting to see Helena Bonham Carter (we see far too much of Johnny Depp already, thanks). The film is vile, bloody, and utterly pointless. The gore serves no point other than gross-out. The songs will stick in your head, but only in way that annoying jingles do as they are repetitive and grating. It will make you sigh for the happier days of "Beetlejuice".

Kenneth M. gave it a1:
About 20 minutes worth of dark chuckles mixed in with an hour and a half of eye glazing boredom. Honestly, have you had the wool pulled over your eyes by Burton? This film was awful!

Henry J gave it a0:
Boo. Truly terrible. The problem mainly lies in the music, which is trite both melodically and lyrically.

Ian K. gave it a0:
Musicals suck this is sooooo over rated crap.

John B. gave it a9:
I'm not much of a fan of musicals. Sitting through things like "The Sound of Music" is sheer torture for me. I was intrigued with the overall plot of Sweeney Todd, but I still had misgivings about the fact that it is still a musical. As it turns out, seeing this movie was a superb, if uneasy, experience. This is a dark, dark, sardonic movie, with unexpected comic turns. The dreariness of the cinematagraphy is almost numbing, and yet it mostly works given the plot. Depp is astounding in the lead. I saw the movie without any baggage from having seen any previous Broadway versions, and so I am judging the movie on its own merits rather than by comparison. Much of the music does seem to have a rather dated quality to it, which doesn't mean that it's not good. It just took me a while to be immersed in it, and before too long I was able to enjoy it about as much as most contemporary music that I like. The lyrics, in a number of instances, are just brilliantly, comically vicious. In a world in which people are routinely devouring each other, why not do it right and make folks into delicious pies. The idea rings even truer now than decades ago when this musical first hit Broadway. It's a positively Swiftian premise. I heartily recommend this movie for people who can stomach it. The gore, the cutting, the dumping of the bodies with a sickening thud 15 or so feet below Sweeney's establishment - not for the squeamish. But if you are the kind of person who finds a perverse delight in hearing lyrics like, "We all deserve to die," then this is a movie event you should not miss.

Kevin D. gave it a9:
Sondheim's score and Burton's vision come together perfectly. Visually appealing and aurally entrancing. A masterpiece of stage to screen adaptations.

James A. gave it a6:
First, the acting of Johnny Depp is too good as usual. This man has all the charming and the looks. This movie is a MUSICAL. So people not interested in MUSICAL can stay back at home, rent the video and watch it. Other than that the story is really good.

Jo M. gave it a6:
How did this get made??? Hollywood has too much money to waste!!! What seemed to be a charming film, turned in to a disturbing blood bath.

Tony gave it a4:
Dark, dull, boring and boring. Did I mention it was boring?

Sonia A. gave it a10:
I thought this was a really Good movie!! you have Johnny depp and Helena Bothen-cart two good actors and then you have Tim burton The best Director you can't go wrong!!

Kevin L. gave it an8:
Once you swallow the narrative absurdity inherent in practically every musical, this is pretty decent. Burton makes the most of the actors' expressions, even behind the cake of make-up they all wear. Timothy Spall is especially good as Beadle Bamford -- the play of vanity and sadism sweep across his face like dark clouds across a full moon. Burton's best since Mars Attacks! (a classic!), because he doesn't allow himself to get too sappy with his woe-begotten underdogs (who, after all, are psychotic killers).

Mayna gave it a9:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! Besides the stupid unneccesary blood that they put in, it was purely wonderful!!

Dana M. gave it a0:
Run, don't walk from this movie. If I could give this a minus rating I would. Can't say I've sat through a more dark gruesome morbid movie in many years. If your idea of a good movie is to view at least a dozen graphic throat slashings with spurting blood, then this is the movie for you. Contemptable at best.

Jim K. gave it a3:
Predictable and boring. The music is tedious. Between a song here and there I got lost in the movie a bit, so I can't give it a one or a two, but jeeze, other than for maybe 5 minutes in total, I never once lost sight of the fact that I was in a theatre watching a movie difficult to get through. And I like Johnny Dep. This just isn't a very good movie, little is original in the idea of slashing and serving the victims for dinner. In a word, trite. It just is not a very good movie.

Paul K. gave it a9:
There was more singing than i thought there would be...a musical lite, this aint, but still fun and worth seeing.

Stan G gave it a10:
I found Sweeney to be enthralling from start to finish. And, yes, I have seen the Broadway productions (still love Angela) but Burton didn't just film the play. He made it a cinematic experience. Bravo!

[Anonymous] gave it a4:
Way better movies, not worth the time, too much blood for my taste.

Bob S. gave it a4:
Gore is excessive. Enjoyed stage version much more.

David D. gave it a4:
Most over-rated movie this year.

Colin P. gave it a10:
Absolutely beautiful/ STUNNING! It is like a Shakespearean tragedy. Burton has outdone himself, by far!

Joshua S. gave it a10:
it was really good but if u don't like a lot of blood then do not see it but u could turn away at the parts with blood so i think if u like blood and johnny depp then see it.

D B gave it a3:
Wow. It's amazing how easily people are impressed. This film was not scary, it was not interesting, and while I have not seen the musical on which the film is based, I cannot imagine this tossed-off piece of tripe could have done it justice. It is poorly directed and shot, and plods along like a utilitarian summary of its source material. Helena Bonham Carter is pretty good, and Johnny isn't bad either, but they are chained to one or two grim sets for the whole film, forced to rattle off with straight blank faces music that is obviously meant to underscore a spiral into whirling insanity. And shocking? If this movie made some chilling point about humanity, it must have been hidden at the end of the closing credits. If this movie was somehow disturbing, I guess I'm sort of zombie, cause I am not a watcher of horror movies at all and this didn't even make me squirm. All in all, if you want to see something grim, go see a Todd Solondz movie or something. In any case, a movie with structure, characters, creativity and competence might have been appreciated. As for me? I'm now regretting I wasted more of my time on this tepid Dickensian knockoff.

Matt gave it a10:
one of the best films i've seen this year. Great music and singing

Chad S. gave it a9:
Laugh at the man who sings showtunes and he'll slice your throat. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" actually made me smile...at blood. It's not the blood itself; it's the blood in juxtaposition with song, and that is a combination audiences have never seen before. "Sweeney Todd" is unbelievably violent. The filmmaker miraculously finds the right tone for all those slit throats that fall somewhere between graphic and whimsical. Johnny Depp(imagine Nick Cave) and Helena Bonham Carter(imagine Siouxsie Sioux) are brilliant as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett. They're sociopaths. They don't have an ounce of good in them. The filmmaker had the guts to make both leads completely ruthless and evil. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" accomplishes the unthinkable; it's a guy's night out musical.

Taxi gave it a9:
The only reason I don't give it a 10 is that I really hate slasher movies, but this slasher movie has so much style, wit and artistry that I rate it amongst the best films I've seen in years.

Alison gave it a9:
Sheer diabolical brilliance! The weak points were the sound mixing (the voices occasionally got overwhelmed by the music) and the editing that turned Judge Turpin into a garden variety lecher, but over all a very satisfying production!

Mike B. gave it an8:
Burton's "Sweeney Todd" is a good movie with moments of excellence, but in adapting the Broadway show for the screen he has made changes that simplify - I would call it dumb down - the characters, turning them into flat black-and-white sterotypes instead of honoring the twisted black humor of Sondheim's original concept. The fun of the show was to create a black comedy where a mass murderer and a cannibal are sympatheic protagonists. In Sondheim's version, Sweeney is not exclusively fixated on revenge; he clearly appreciates Mrs. Lovett for her humor - e.g. there's a section of "A Little Priest" where they laughingly indulge in puns and wordplay; Burton cut this bit, and all other joking between the two. More importantly, ironic twists in most of the other principals have been untwisted by Burton. (Spoilers follow.) Sondheim's Judge Turpin is not pure evil, he is conflicted and literally self-flagellating; he sentences a poor man to death. Burton's judge is just a covetous, self-righteous vouyer, who sentences to death...an innocent child. Sondheim's Antony is a good-natured idiot who falls in love with a girl in a window, vows to steal Joanna but loses his nerve and cannot fire a gun to save her; Burton's version is a doe-eyed teen idol who suceeds in the rescue. Sondheim's Joanna is a foolish and distractable girl who bravely fires the gun and later escapes from Todd; Burton's heroine is just a vapid blonde waiting to be rescued, who we last see in Todd's barber chair, waiting to be butchered. Sondheim's Lucy is a miserable beggar who makes salacious suggestions that embarrass sailors; Burton's beggar is rude but never crude. Sondheim's Toby is a victim and is driven mad; Burton's child seems to be a clear-eyed avenger. Yes, all adaptations require cuts and changes in order to create a clear and focused movie, but there's a pattern here of turning what was unique and interesting into something much shallower and closer to standard Hollywood fare. I had expected Burton to accentuate the dissonance, both musically and plotwise, but it appears that he done the opposite, and accentuated the blood instead.

Tom R. gave it a9:
Visually stunning. Burton does more for black dark hued films than most black and white movies. The singing is a bit thin. Both Depp and Helena Boham Carter have comparatively quiet voices. They make up for it with their acting. If you loved the musical you will love the movie. Audience unfamiliar with SWT may find the movie quite a shock. The movie is awash with spurting arterial blood. But then thats what you would expect. The audience we saw the film murmured a lot at the end of the picture. Actually listening to the soundtrack at home after the movie, proved richer. Theater sound systems are built more to deal with explosions and dialogue. So I think the recording does a better job at capturing music. What impressed me about the film was how I understood every lyric sung in the musical dialogue. I heard lyrics much clearer than I have often heard in live theatre. If you like Sweeney Todd the musical...I can't imagine you won't like the movie.

Amy S. gave it a10:
What a fantastic film - the orchestration was masterful, the realization of Sondheim's score and story inspired, and the ending profound and chilling. The pacing of the first half-hour was off, and it especially dragged with amateurs Wisener and Bower onscreen (Wisener's was the only truly unbearable singing of the film). But after Burton hit his stride (right around the time Deep sang the terrific "Epiphany") the film shone as a true masterpiece. Above all, Sondheim's immaculate and genius score was realized brilliantly. Even if you have to close your eyes during the violent bits, your ears will be pleased by the fabulous score that makes this film as brilliant as it is. Cheers to Burton for giving a visual feast that aids Sondheim's music and story without overburdening it. I recommend it to everyone.

Dorothy G. S. gave it a10:
Argento meets James Whale in Carol Reed's subconscious during an acid trip with Val Lewton and Alfred Hitchcock through the Hammer Studios vaults. Despite cavils by stage devotees about what should have remained in the score or how it ought to be sung, such matters hardly bothered this longtime fan during its mesmeric, unsettling, perversely beautiful trip into Grand Guignol operetta. Sensational star performances by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, superb supporting players, magnificent design/technical elements, all helmed by a director in total command of medium and material. The results are stunning, a genuine musical thriller and possibly the best stage-to-screen reenvisioning since "Cabaret."

Daniel W. gave it a5:
What's with the critics this season? This is the third seriously overrated film I've seen in the past quite short while. After a lifeless Atonement and a pointless No Country for Old Men, this may be the saddest cut of all (no pun intended -- well maybe just a little bit). The music is fine, though not obviously suited to a filmed musical, but the singing is terrible on the part of all the principals, and Burton's visual flair is now seriously running the risk of descending into shtick. If you want to see a movie star who can actually sing, see John C. Reilly in Walk Hard. If you want to get the bejesus scared out of you, see The Orphanage. For visual inventiveness, Into the Wild and the Diving Bell and the Butterfly top this easily.

John Barker gave it an8:
Tim Burton makes all the right moves in this bloody dark yet humane broadway adaptation. The source material shines the most yet Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are absolutely exciting with such precision and presence given to their characters. Sweeney Todd could have faltered in many places but rarely did. For such commitment to the source material and the level of visuals by Burton, not one moment of the movie felt forced.

Judy T gave it a6:
Tim Burton needs to change his one dimensional view of Johnny Depp. This could have been a very good love story and murder romp but it wasn't that great.

Marcy T gave it an8:
Who knew Captain Jack Sparrow, Professor Snape, and Bellatrix Lestrange could sing? Now that they've each played two identical big roles in year, Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter need to worry about being typecast. A satisfyingly weird movie - singing among the gore and filth - but could have been a tad more fun. Still I thoroughly enjoyed it. All the actors were gruesomely great. Never read the book or saw the play. At least now I know why it wasn't showing at the local dinner-and-a-movie theater.

John A. gave it a10:
Simply superb. This is the masterpiece that Burton's directorial career has been leading up to, and its Sondheimian greatness is capped by tossing the lead role to a non-singer who, in turn, completely redefines the title role. If there exists any flaw in this magnum opus, it is only in being too faithful to the underlying works -- mass audiences expecting cheery Christmas fare may balk at the sheer, grim reality of Burton's (and Sondheim's, and Bond's) mind, but they do so at their own expense. Sheer brilliance -- a must see in the truest sense of the term.

Jacques C. gave it a10:
Although I have never read the book nor seen the play, Sweeney Todd surprised me with its dark but fantastic plot, brilliantly-cast acting, and a variety of surprisingly well-executed music. Tim Burton truly was the perfect director for this film; he managed to realize a darkly humorous and completely captivating masterpiece.

Eryn D. gave it a10:
Overall, as a fan of the stage production, I was more than satisfied with this adaptation. It's visually beautiful, the orchestration is magnificent, the acting is fairly good, and the singing really grew on me, especially now that I see it set against the characters in motion. "Pretty Women" still bugged me the way it always did in the stage show, but I was surprised that Anthony's "Johanna" solo didn't bug me at all since they trimmed it down, I think. I had some issues with it, but I don't think its faults are big enough to really knock off any points with me, personally. Especially after seeing it multiple times, the things that bugged me the first time don't really bug me much at all anymore. Go see it, everyone!

Armond W. gave it a0:
This isn’t Jacobean tragedy, it’s cliché; and Sweeney Todd’s Dickensian allusions are fallacious. Bob Fosse’s Chicago similarly twisted cynicism into showbiz routines. So Sondheim topped Fosse’s perversity with a more bloodthirsty, freakish ode to nihilism, writing Sweeney Todd with operatic extravagance. But Tim Burton mistakes Sondheim’s degradation of Grand Guignol for his own pop mischief. Burton turns Todd’s bloodletting into a cascade of crimson tears; his final tableau stretches outrage into mawkishness. When Burton goes wrong, he morphs into David Cronenberg.Tim Burton's implicit flattery to the hackish Cronenberg is overtly visible in a collection of humorless blemishes.

Michael P. gave it a9:
Having grown up in England learning about the gruesome history of London in through the 1700s and 1800s it was good to see a film that was able to depict these dark times perfectly and at the same time be very entertaining. People who complain that this isn't as good as the original musical need to come to the realization that this film is not the original musical, and was designed to fit a broader audience.

Jennifer R. gave it a1:
It is not a good sign for a film when you see other audience members beside yourself checking your watch. I have to wonder if I'm missing something; or perhaps I'm simply not as cultured as others, but my God, this movie was boring. Tim Burton didn't even have to decency to use brighter colors (besides for the blood) in an effort to keep his audience awake. The music, story, and acting were all such a disappointment, especially after reading so many glowing reviews. And I'm very tired of Johnny Depp brooding in every Tim Burton film.

Bill D. gave it a7:
There is much to admire here but not much to like.

Nic gave it a10:
Amazingly good movie! It kept me at the edge of my seat, and I already knew the story ahead of time. The play didn't involve me to the extent this movie version did. I highly recommend it.

Tim O. gave it a10:
Incredible, it is a shame that select parts (especially the ballad) were removed. These cuts I understand were necessary, and they made do with the time allotted. In lieu of the ballad with words, you could hear the score being played softly at times, which made the adrenaline pump. The cast did an excellent job singing, and I was surprised they could pull it off so well. They pulled A LOT from the book, and removed but 4 or 5 parts, only 1 or 2 of which were extremely important (the introduction of Lucy [beggar woman] at the beginning off the docks, and the song "God That's Good" [although 'included' it is not in its entirety]). Many previous ratings have come out bashing the bloodiness of the film, and have marked down their ratings for all the blood...UNDERSTAND: the blood is how it is, should you read the book, this is how it was written. Despite the blood, see the intended humour, and word tricks. (eg. Mrs. Lovett's "Seems like a downright shame, such an aweful waste...a good frame he HAS...HAD...HAS!") Simply amazing job. I commend the directors/writers/producers/cast on the EXCELLENT job they did, and I would recommend this movie to anyone seeking a wonderful Christmas (okay, mildly scary) movie. ENJOY!

Don K. gave it a9:
Tons of grim fun, faithful to the stage play.

Deborah L. gave it a9:
Burton seems to have made every choice correctly, from the intense but unshowy singing to the borderline bizarre art direction, finding the humanity in the inhumane and making you believe the whole ghastly business. And the music is exquisite!

Mr Toad gave it a9:
Very visual, Gothic, bloody. Mostly successful without awkwardness. Fully entertaining, when you take into account that it's, well, Sweeney Todd.

Uncle Douglas B. gave it a0:
A powerful blunder of epic proportions. Like a horrendous train wreck, this smoldering pile drags on for eternity. Viewing this movie will cause boredom, nausea and increased blood pressure. Loss of self worth/respect is inevitable.

S.E. R. gave it a9:
I am a long time Sondheim and Sweeney Todd fan and have seen several versions of the stage production. While I could quibble with some of the omissions, I thought the movie was true to Sondheim. Having read some of the criticism of Helena Bonham Carter, I was very impressed with what she did with the part---in many ways a deeper interpretation than the others I have seen.

P Tom gave it a5:
Frankly, apart from Alan Rickman and Sacha Cohen, the performances of this film bored me. Depp is one of the most overrated actors in Hollywood- a collection of tics. I rarely see him making connections with others actors or connections to the material. A rather selfish performer, I think.

Walter H. gave it a2:
What should have been bloody FUN (Todd is supposed to be a dark comedy, equal parts horror and humor) is instead bloody boring. The best one-liners from the stage production have been axed, and the scant humor that remains is downplayed. The dueling love stories (Todd and Lovett, the sailor and Joanna) are giving only surface treatment to make room for more brooding by Depp. And while Depp at least manages a few captivating gestures and glances, Bonham Carter is a breathy, clueless disaster. Deepens one's respect for the amazing achievement of John Doyle, Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris in the Broadway revival.

Scott S gave it a4:
Far less intelligent, funny or dark than the recent Broadway revival, the film fails to realize that Sweeney Todd is as much about Mrs. Lovett as it is about Todd. They've dumbed it down to make it more "accessible", but it makes for a dull film. And Bonham Carter is, sadly, awful beyond description.

Jane B. gave it a10:
I've been a fan of the play/music for over 20 years. Wasn't sure what to expect, but Tim Burton's movie was WAY better then I even imagined it could be! The music stayed true to Sondheim - I was way impressed!!!

Raven gave it a10:
Simply a very good movie. Takes the image musicals have to a whole new level. A must see, and in my opinion the best Johnny Depp movie to date.

Jon R. gave it a9:
I'm very happy Burton didn't skimp on the gore!

David H. gave it a9:
I am about as die-hard a Sweeney Todd fan as it gets, and I couldn't get enough. Sondheim laid the ground work with his incomparable score and the rest followed suit. As far as movie musicals, this worked, in the fashion that Chicago worked. Well done.

Jack R. gave it a10:
For me, the most impressive achievement of the film is that it once-and-for-all validates Sweeney as one of the greatest musicals of all time. I myself have been Toby in a large scale production, seen a minimalistic production, and devoured the movie adaptation, and everytime without fail, the show delivers. This is one of, if not the, best movie musical ever adapted to film.

M C gave it a2:
I am a film fanatic and a HUGE Tim Burton film. Im not sure what movie everyone was watching when they voted and the critics reviewed. The acting was great and I may be alone on this as well, but Sacha Baron Cohen stole the movie. However, I thought it was one of the least entertaining movies I've seen. I dont mind dark, I dont mind blood, but give us something that doesnt make us feel completely uneasy. The funniest part was at the end of the movie when 1 single person started clapping and everyone laughed. I dont think I was alone with how I felt. Completely disappointing.

John W. gave it a10:
One of the best films of the decade. The ending was so dramatic and stylisitc, I almost cried and I don't know why. It was honestly the best movie I've seen in years. Tim Burton really brought the most out of Johnny and Helena - and what voices the younger kids had! I'd recommend this movie to anyone!

Billy S. gave it an8:
Every little detail about Sweeney Todd is near perfection. Johnny Depp is Brilliant. Helena Bonham Carter is Brilliant. Tim Burton's direction is Brilliant. The sets and costumes are Brilliant. Critically speaking - Sweeney Todd is a brilliant movie, but personally speaking there was just something missing and this is probably sacreligious to say, but I think it's the score. I know Sondheim is a God and everything he writes is complicated perfection but I just could not feel the music the way his songs usually reach me. The actors all did exceptionally well singing them, especially Depp and Carter, but the songs themselves just never took off on their own. I really wanted to rate this a 10, but after I'm Not There, La Vie En Rose, Across The Universe and particularly Once, it's just not in their league.

Christopher W. gave it an8:
This is as good a movie adaptation of the popular Broadway musical as anyone could have made. The technical achievement of such an endeavor, especially Dante Ferretti's grim hellish production design, all elevate the music and story to a bloody good revenge thriller. Depp and Bonham Carter are fantastic as well Alan Rickman and the rest of the cast. It's certainly not everyone's meat pie, but for fans and receptive audiences, the barber is heartedly welcome.

Glen G. gave it a4:
Ms. Carter's performance ruined what was otherwise a fine film. She was just terrible. Of course, I am jaded by the ghost of Ms. Lansbury's performance in the original version, but surely someone better suited to this role could have been found.

Richard B. gave it a10:
Sweeney Todd is the PERFECT film musical.

Chirs V. gave it a10:
Sublime.

Jalex D. gave it a10:
An amazing tragedy. A twisted beauty to behold. Though I wish Alan Rickman's character had been dwelled upon a bit more, 'Todd' is still by far the greatest cinematic piece I've had the pleasure of taking in during the year of 2007.

Stephen Van G. gave it a10:
Do not let reviews and comments from others help make your mind up. See Sweeney Todd for yourself! Having been a devotee of the musical since seeing the original production - this is a faithful and beautiful production. The much talked about gore is for this viewer played for comic relief not horror. What I can say is simply - GO make up your own mind.

Ivan C. gave it a10:
I haven't seen a musical this good in ages.

Seth F. gave it a9:
May turn off some due to the blood and gore, but overall it's extremely effective and riveting. ONE of the best films of this season.

David L. gave it a10:
Stunning film translation of one of the greatest of stage musicals.

Ken P. gave it a10:
A masterpiece. Sondheim's classic has been tightened; it is distilled darkness. The music is great-I wanted to applaud at the end of several numbers.

George W. gave it a9:
This film is yet another fantastic journey by my favorite tour guide Tim Burton! Johnny Depp's screen prescence can be felt all the way to the back row of even the largest theater. This film is Dark, Brooding, Sarcastic and beautiful! a must see!

Matt A. gave it a9:
I admit...i am not a big fan of musicals. However, this was a beautiful work of art visually and through it's powerful score. Burton pulled no punches and made a wonderful gorefest that is not for the squeamish. The singing may not be top notch...but Helena Bonham Carter was amazing as Ms. Lovett, and made it all worth while.

vidMan gave it a6:
The film shows occasional brilliance and great dark humor, but overall, is slowed down with passionateless singing.

Max G. gave it a9:
Absolutely beautiful, but I would have liked the entire repetoire rather than the few they chose for time constraints.

Starr Light gave it a10:
Excellent movie! The most fun I have had watching a bloodbath, ever!

Tommy C. gave it a0:
Wow!!! 88? For critics? Huh? I'm lost? Is this a joke? Like seriously, i think i was watching the wrong movie. So, can we for now on count on trust critics? no! And if National Treasure was an amusing good movie then why do they say 39? Because it is not us that are watching the wrong movie!!!! It is just our opinions! I confess myself, dissapointed, not one of the concepts grabbed me in entertainment, Tim burton fools around with history and make it weird and twisted into dark times of crap, so be it. This movie sucks, and it looks cool, and they try to entertain you with so much, but truly I was bored from opening logos to the end of the credits.

Evan A. gave it a0:
This will be the next Oscar contending, golden globe award winning masterpiece of the year, although the story basic's are uncompelled, boring, hard to watch being performed, weak, and corny status. They make this movie weird and awkward in taste, it is hard to get used to, and once it reaches initial incodent, things just get worse, it seems as though Tim Burton wants us to go home.

Peter C. gave it a0:
Depp cannot have any spirit until he shows us that he has one, don't anyone let us get past these high reviews, Depp is as much of a dull name as Johnny. John Depp, the perfect name for a bore, as Tim Burton's skill proceeds to be very dark and bloodily violent, all we get to see the actor's place their off-beat singing voices that toon off the strength of the song. There is no magic in this thats for sure, no pressence of taste, and nothing but quirky unexcellency. They should have gotten rid of the dead bodies, because they are stinking up the theatre.

Matthew K. gave it a10:
Brilliant adaptation of one of the most brilliant pieces of theatre ever written. Wonderful performances, tight direction and writing, genius music and lyrics, and breathtaking visuals. One of the best films of the year, and by far the best movie musical in nearly 40 years (since Oliver!) Just wonderful.

Mike Y. gave it a10:
What a HORROR..in a great way. See this movie. It will give you chills, thrills and laughs for a long time to come.

CLOSE THIS WINDOW