New to DVD: Sweeney Todd

Tim Burton was the obvious, if not only, choice of director to bring Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the screen. Stephen Sondheim’s musical (first seen on Broadway in 1979) has the mix of gore, humor, and quirkiness that Burton has been working with for years. The true fun comes from the fact that this is also a full on movie musical which is an entirely new realm for Burton to play in.

The atmospherics of Sweeney Todd are superb. The filmmakers have drained all but the smallest bit of color from 19th century industrial London. The city's pallor resembles that of Sweeney's victims. It is easy for viewers to lose themselves in the folds of the intricately dreary costumes (Depp in the saddest swimsuit ever filmed is a true highlight).

But this is to be expected from Burton’s crew, who at this point can whip up exquisite goth fantasies in their sleep (and they have the Oscars to prove it). What’s new about Sweeney Todd is the whole singing thing. The results are not entirely Broadway caliber. Johnny Depp’s intensity as an actor is compromised by a singing voice that veers into pop territory too often. Helena Bonham Carter portrayal of Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney’s pie baking accomplice) is delightfully devilish, but she doesn’t sell the songs the way Angela Lansbury did when she originated the role onstage.

These shortcomings actually make this movie more endearing. This film is a risk for Burton and his stars. There would have been no risk in choosing actors who had the proven chops for this score (which is by no means easy even by Broadway standards). Burton took a chance on two actors with whom he is very close. Johnny Depp has worked with the director five previous times; Helena Bonham Carter often stars in Burton’s movies and occasionally bears his children. The comfort level in this group of artists is such that they took professional risks many in Hollywood would shy away from. There is a thrill that comes from seeing A-listers put their all into something uncharted, even when total success isn’t achieved. Leaving the comfort zone is something that that should be encouraged in the movie making community.

In short, Sweeney Todd has a “warts and all” appeal that makes it a solid bet for your home viewing pleasure.