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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Thread of MacRumors

IJ Reilly

IJ Reilly

macrumors P6
Original poster
Jul 16, 2002
17,912
1,506
Palookaville
We marched out to the theater last night to view "Sweeney Todd." I'm not sure it was completely worth $9.50 and sitting through a full half-hour of commercials and coming attractions, but it was a pretty good movie all told. The film didn't much resemble the original Stephen Sondheim operetta, as I remember it from TV many years ago, but the film was just as strange as the stage production, in its own way. Tim Burton certainly put his own stamp on the piece. We learn that Johnny Depp can't sing, but oddly enough, it really doesn't seem to matter.

Has anyone else seen this film? Thoughts?
 
Saw it last night. I hate musicals, but I thought it was great. And I thought Johnny Depp sang just fine. As a matter of fact, some of his singing reminded me of Bowie.
 
leekohler said:
Saw it last night. I hate musicals, but I thought it was great. And I thought Johnny Depp sang just fine. As a matter of fact, some of his singing reminded me of Bowie.
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One of the reviewers said that at first he was afraid Depp would turn it into "Sweeney Manilow," a thought which I have to admit crossed my mind a couple of times during the first half hour or so. A little too sweet for the part, I thought, at least in the beginning. (I'll leave the Bowie comparison alone, since I've never been a fan.)

Burton really amplified the gore. In the stage version, this was more in the imagination. Not sure how I feel about that. The dark humor it seems was also played down somewhat in the movie.
 
My girlfriend wants to see it, and is going to be dragging me to see it this weekend. Is it good? I get queasy quite easily, how's the level of gore?

I might spend the whole movie with my face embedded in my girlfriends shoulder if it's too bad. :eek:
 
It's plenty gory. You'll know when to grab for your girlfriend's shoulder.

Interesting relationship you got there. ;)
 
Just got back from it and I liked it. I'm not much into musicals, but I thought the whole cast did a good job and Depp and Carter have a good chemistry on screen. I haven't seen the play though so I can't compare it on those terms. I thought the art direction, wardrobe and make-up were very well done and served the film nicely.


Lethal
 
Johnny Depp did a great job Imo... his vocal performance was better than expected. The film was gruesome, but one of the more memorable Tim Burton films I have seen.
 
abiyng87 said:
Sorry, I couldn't get past this part. It costs $6 US to go to the "expensive movie" (after 6 pm)

In an attempt to make this post on topic, I do hope to see this movie soon. After all, it is Johnny Depp :eek:
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Midwest != California, I guess :p

Sounds too bloody for me, I think I'll likely pass.
 
I've described it to friends as: "Oddly good, but highly dysfunctional."

There was plenty gore but the blood didn't and wasn't meant to looks real. It's like wax. I actually like the performance/singing of Depp, and was actually surprised to find out it was a musical because I had no idea going into it.
If you like Tim Burton, you'll love the movie because it is style all the way. And if you like happy endings, this might not be for you.;)
 
ghall said:
Oh great... :eek:

Are you mocking me? :p
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No, not at all. You've got to admit, it is a little unusual for the girl to have more tolerance for screen gore than the guy. ;)

abiyng87 said:
Sorry, I couldn't get past this part. It costs $6 US to go to the "expensive movie" (after 6 pm)
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Sadly, full freight where I live (Southern California) is now $9.50. The senior price is $6.00. And you get to watch all those commercials and coming attractions. Such a deal.

Daveway said:
I've described it to friends as: "Oddly good, but highly dysfunctional."

There was plenty gore but the blood didn't and wasn't meant to looks real. It's like wax. I actually like the performance/singing of Depp, and was actually surprised to find out it was a musical because I had no idea going into it.
If you like Tim Burton, you'll love the movie because it is style all the way. And if you like happy endings, this might not be for you.;)
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Yes, be forewarned -- it is a tragedy. A morality tale wrapped in black humor and song. Speaking of which, the Stephen Sondheim music is still the real star of the show. Sondheim is the greatest living genius of musical theater. I think it's worth seeing if only for the music. Just try to forget all that forgettable junk Andrew Lloyd Weber has been recycling from one show to the next and enjoy the real article. A better reason to go than to see Johnny Depp, IMO.
 
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I was interviewed several weeks ago for one of the DVD's 'special features.' I'm something of an authority on Grand Guignol theatre, which which was a huge influence on both the stage production and the film.

Of course, now that I've mentioned it publicly, I'm sure all of my footage will end up on the cutting room floor. :(
 
Flowbee said:
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I was interviewed several weeks ago for one of the DVD's 'special features.' I'm something of an authority on Grand Guignol theatre, which which was a huge influence on both the stage production and the film.

Of course, now that I've mentioned it publicly, I'm sure all of my footage will end up on the cutting room floor. :(
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That's cool. You'll have to let us know!
 
IJ Reilly said:
No, not at all. You've got to admit, it is a little unusual for the girl to have more tolerance for screen gore than the guy. ;)
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Good. I'm watching you IJ Reilly! :cool:

She's a very unusual girl, and I'm a very unusual guy. I guess that's why we get along so well... :)
 
I have not scene this yet, but the actual musical is lovely. The music sounds very Ravel and Debussy influenced. 2 of my favorite composers.
 
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