I have mixed feelings about this movie. I absolutely love Johnny Depp and his performance was without blemish. The scenery, costumes, makeup and singing were mesmerizing. And while we all knew it was coming, the murder scenes were a bit of overkill.  Sometimes there’s more impact in leaving the audience to imagine the worst. The strict application of presenting their interpretation of the worst, may not translate at all. At first, I understood the position he was in when he had to kill Sascha Baron Cohen’s Pirelli after he recognized him (plus I’m fairly sure Da Ali G show was a compelling motive too) and I could keep silent about that.

At some point, the murders started to resemble a scene out of I love Lucy where the chocolates were veering down the conveyor belt….mustn’t let one get away! Then it became a morbid comedy where killing is done for the sake of killing as long as the victim was a member of high society and filthy rich …..which may not be particularly offensive to some….. However, I was curious as to why no one in the town missed those high falutin’ human meat pies or why Sweeney didn’t immediately go to claim his daughter when he realized her fate?

Helena Bonham-Carter was exquisite as the bride of Frankenstein Mrs. Lovett, whose love for the barber and her own proximity to slap dap craziness was her undoing. The child who played Toby was fantastic…..he had the voice of an angel….as did the young woman who played Joanna…..both were victims of circumstance and both would have to live with the nightmares imposed upon them. I was gutted when in a bitter touch of irony, Sweeney ended up killing the woman he sought to avenge.

Other than that, I enjoyed the movie, I agree the sound was too loud which made me wonder if that was on purpose…..if they were attempting to scare me, they could have saved themselves the trouble….they had me when I first glanced at Sweeney’s dark, brooding countenance.  I’m a big musicals fan, so all in all, I was very entertained.

Grade B

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