This dark musical comedy is unconvincing. The atmosphere is great, as often in Tim Burton's movies. Gothic aesthethics, you like it or not, but there is something special coming out of it. The story is a story of revenge and the end is very Shakespearean. What mostly disappointed me were the songs. For a musical it is a little bit annoying.
inmoodfor, Feb 3, 2008 @ 22:48

I thought it was absolutely dreadful. I was looking around for sharp objects to jab myself with just to take my mind off the movie, good thing the theater was dark. Ok so I am not a huge fan of musicals, but I can handle songs and even ENJOY an occasional musical once in a while...if it is good. But Sweeney Todd was not. The songs were horrible, drawn out, & whiny and I was so glad when the singing came to an end...no matter what the means. I thought maybe the Tim/Helena/Johnny contingent would make up for the fact that I was watching a musical, but nothing can save this bloody mess :)

Besides, the blood n gore bits were pretty ridiculous. Not gross and horrifying. Not even cool Kill Bill-style, more like Monty Python extreme silliness and unless you are John Cleese, I just don't think you can pull it off...
terri2028, Feb 4, 2008 @ 17:52

 I guess the movement of this story inside the framing of the camera eye compared to the bigger picture of the stage is really noticeable.  This musical, is funnier on the stage where you see life happening around them when they are morbidly twisted into their own little world.  Also on the film the blood takes up much more of the screen then the stage.  The sharp contrast in color also had a huge effect.  But knowing this as a stage play first, getting past the attack of red that existed during the movie, Burton did an interesting job of adapting this to the screen. In comparison to  Moulin Rouge, another big musical movie, Sweeny Todd left out the big dance numbers that usually accompany musicals.  I think the songs also work better on stage because they are beautiful melodies surrounded by rythmatic movement in comparison to the small eye of the camera. 

But overall I like the effort of bringing music back to film.  I hope it continues.  I even liked this movie but probably more because I am such a huge fan of this show as a Stage Musical, and I have a connection to Burton's view somehow.  I always have it seems.  This one pushed the top of the line color wise, and with the blood.  But i am not sad or mad because I went.  But of my collection of Burton Movies, I doubt I go right out and buy this one.  
TonyT, Feb 12, 2008 @ 14:01