Sweeny Todd

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited January 2008 in Music & Movies
Anyone seen this yet? I typically dig Tim Burton's stuff, so we decided to go see it this weekend even though it's a musical. I won't do an in depth review, just a couple thoughts.

1 - Danny Elfman didn't do the score. Some people like him, most people don't. I wasn't aware of this when I went to see the movie. About three or four measures into the optning them and I'm like "That's not Danny Elfman, this is going to suck".

I get now why he didn't do the score, the guy who wrote the musical originally did the music for the movie - makes sense.

I would say that overall I did not like the music, and not just because it wasn't Elfman. It was just a bit too 'broadway' for me (I already said I know it's a musical). I thought it was well done for what it is, just not my cup of tea.

2 - The story and typical Burton 'style' was more than enough to outweigh my distaste for the music and make this an enjoyable movie experience. There were a couple times where the music made me cringe, but the story and visuals kept me in my seat.

This is one of those movies that you'll probably walk out of the theater thinking WTF was that, but then find yourself talking about it the next day, at least that was the case for us.

Although the subject matter and movie overall are very dark and not appropriate for all audiences, I was quite surprised at the R rating of this movie. There's maybe a handful of language, and quite a bit of violence. It was obviously the violence and gore that got this the R rating.

Burton has a unique way though of illustrating blood and gore. Although it's definitely excessive, it never quite feels 'real' - I'm sure this is by design. The blood's always a bit too red and squirts a bit too far to illustrate reality (think Sleepy Hollow), but I think that's the intent. I'm really surprised that both this movie and Sleepy Hollow got R ratings.

Overall a good experience and something I'll definitely watch again...
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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Comments

  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited January 2008
    I agree with you on every single point. Burton without Elfman is like peanut butter without chocolate... even though I enjoyed Howard Shore's score for Ed Wood. But otherwise, the flick was decidedly Burton. And I enjoyed it immensely. I'd have to rank it as good as Big Fish, but not as good as Pee Wee or Edward.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2008
    musical's are not my favorite types of movies to watch... i can only count maybe two or three that i've ever liked.

    I agree.. without Danny Elfman doing the score.. the movie will probably suck. I'm passing on this one.

    it's like Lennon without McCartney, or Elton John without Bernie Taupin, or fries without ketchup.. just wrong.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,779
    edited January 2008
    Sweeny Todd is a movie where you just think...

    Did they REALLY just do that...

    Great movie, hands down
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited January 2008
    Your take on the movie was very close to mine, Polkmaniac. I went into it not knowing it was a musical, however. Judging from those I've spoken with I'm the only person on the planet that didn't know. First scene, I turned to my wife and mouthed something to the effect of "It's an effing musical???" and got a look from her and her friend that said yup, you're a moron. Turns out I did enjoy it, as I have the majority of Burton's movies.

    Funny what you mention about the blood, I was thinking the exact same thing.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited January 2008
    It was a good movie in the fact that I could not predict the ending. It didn't take me by surprise because I did figure it out before the end but it took me most of the movie to get it. I hate musicals. Spent way too much time in high school learning the scores for the school's orchestra for musicals. The movie didn't need so much singing but overall it was enjoyable.

    Was it movie of the year? No, not really, I can think of several movies I'd put over it easily. Was it an enjoyable experience? Yes it was! Go see it in the theater. It was worth the big screen experience.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited January 2008
    strider wrote: »
    YI went into it not knowing it was a musical, however. Judging from those I've spoken with I'm the only person on the planet that didn't know.

    I didn't know it was a musical either and got dragged to it by a friend. When I sat down and they started singing in the opening scene I was like "It's a freakin' musical!? You suck soooo bad! I'm gonna get you for this!" But I suppose I had it coming because I made her go see "Naked Man...I mean Beowulf" with me.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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