Sweeny Plod

RoveDaily's Ben Vains thinks Tim Burton may have lost his touch.

Tim Burton used to be good. Anyone who introduces the world to Pee-wee is a tad spesh in my book (how good is the non-Burton sequel, Big Top Pee Wee – “egg salad my FAVOURITE”- so good). But Burton these days would have Pee-wee’s red bike rolling in its celluloid grave.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (or STTDBOFS for short) is yet another Tim Burton film that goes for style over substance. Billed as a Horror/Drama/Musical, in my humble opinion, it fails as all three.

After Sweeney returns from prison (sent there by a judge who stole his wife) he shacks up with Mrs Lovett- played by Helena Bonham Carter, I must say she is very good, although I couldn’t understand one word she sang. Apparently, wifey is gone and daughter is now the judge’s ward. Now I don’t quite know what a ward is, I must look it up, but the only other ward I know is Dick Grayson to Bruce Wayne and I always thought that meant homosexual lover.

Well, instead of going through due process to get his kid back, Ol’ Grumpy points his razor out the window and warbles a few tunes in the attic for about half the flick. They should have called it Boring Todd: The Razor Pointing Sourpuss of Dulltown.

I have read in other reviews that the horror elements have given people nightmares. Believe me, I had worse dreams after watching Happy Gilmore. Want to see blood out the throat- see Eastern Promises people, done much better.

And the music! It’s dreadful. I didn’t understand a word. Johnny Depp has been nominated for an Oscar for this film, as he was with Pirates of the Carribbean, and I’m wondering (as is he I imagine), if he farted into a glass jar and sniffed it on camera would that get the academy singing his praises? I like him, don’t get me wrong, but he’s kinda just OK as an actor (he was much better in Cry Baby anyways).

So, all in all another disappointing flick form Tim Burton. Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, yawn, yawn, YAWN!! I did like Big Fish but that’s because I’m sweet and kind and I like puppies and pandas.

-Ben Vains