Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - A Must See This Holiday Season

I recently had the pleasure of attending the first screening of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and I'll say it right off the bat; it was exactly what I expected. If you enjoy quality cinema, you shouldn't hesitate to go see it this Christmas. For the few of you not yet convinced, allow me to elaborate.

I don't know what it is about Tim Burton's cinematography that I find so appealing. Long I've tried to describe it, but words never seem to be enough. All of his works just have that Tim Burton style, and a beautiful style it is. Sweeney Todd, based on the Broadway show, is a musical with a style all its own, and Burton's direction compliments it in ways that no other director could. He really was the man for the job, and it shines through in every single scene.

Sweeney Todd is the story of a scorned barber's quest for revenge, and his and his landlord's descent into madness. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter complement each other perfectly in their leads, and the other casting choices are nothing short of magnificent. It's a grim musical dramedy, with plenty of laughs, along with its share of sad moments. While the musical part of it all may turn a few people away at first glance, I urge anyone who likes good movies to give Sweeney Todd a chance. I myself usually avoid musicals like the plague, but I would not pass up a Burton/Depp collaboration for any reason. The two just seem to bring the best out of each other every time that the come together for a movie, and Sweeney is just another in a long line of this tradition.

It's hard to sell this gothic masterpiece to the casual moviegoer, but I believe the award nominations and acclaimed history of both the cast and crew speak for themselves. The movie isn't for everyone, but if you enjoyed Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Corpse Bride, than Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will be a movie for you. The same goes if you enjoy musicals, the unique style of Tim Burton, or simply if you're a fan of Johnny Depp's pretty face. It's a great flick in every way, if somewhat of a hard sell, but I encourage everyone to give Sweeney a chance. It'll be the closest shave you'll ever have.