...this looks awful.
Johnny Depp is great but he’s no Mr. Todd. And while Tim Burton can make a movie look pretty, he can’t tell a story.
And yet, I saw the show when I was in High School and I saw last year’s brilliant John Doyle production, so I think I’m doomed to see this in two week's time.
Friday, December 07, 2007
I hope I’m wrong, but
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12 comments:
Wow, it really does. Why'd they have to make him into a tragic anti-hero? Does that have anything to do with Sondheim? Ashamedly I only know the old British film from the late 30s early 40s starring Todd Slaughter.
I saw Sweeney Todd at the Uris Theater in June of 1980, and fell in love with the story and the characters, and have always thought someone should bring it to the movies, but I am not sure if this the one. I will see it, I do think Depps querkyness lends itself to the character.......at least I am hoping.
Tracy
Oh, I couldn't disagree with you more on this one. I think it looks fantastic and I cannot wait to see it! It may turn out to be just too weird in the end, but what I've seen thus far really excites me. And Tim Burton can't tell a story? Come on! Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride. Sure, he's made a few stinkers (Planet of the Apes) but overall I find his movies to be great fun.
Johnny Depp is slippery and clever. Sweeny needs to quietly seethe. He needs a still power. I don’t see Johnny handling it. But we’ll see.
Carl – I love Nightmare! But Burton didn’t direct it. And he barely wrote it. He did what he does best, which is design it. You remind me – I need to find my copy -- traditionally I wrap Christmas presents while watching Nightmare Before Christmas.
Hey Will! I love reading your blog. (Everyone should run over to Hang Fire Books). Sweeny is sorta a tragic antihero...in so much as you ultimately believe that so many of the characters deserve each other. I did't realize there were other movies. I'll try to find it.
Yeah, I agree this looks mediocre at best. Speaking of C-level work, my wife and I just saw Golden Compass, and were very disappointed despite the mostly well done visuals and some great casting choices. All that $$ and they couldn't have spent a little more time on the screenplay? Hmph.
Hope you enjoy this movie more than you're fearing you will & let us know what you think when you do see it :)
Happy Holidays!
That's a fun tradition, Irene. I wish they have NBX wrapping paper around somewhere.
You realize, however, that I could throw that same argument, that he barely wrote it, at you regarding Sweeney Todd since he didn't write it at all. But, since it has a chance of being another Planet of the Apes rather than Sleepy Hollow (another dark one of his that I really enjoy) I'll save it until I'm sure it doesn't suck. Ha!
And you are correct, the visual aspect of film making is where he is at his best and is the reason I enjoy his work so much.
I've never seen this story in any previous venues, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing this movie (although I think it might work better without the musical aspect.) I appreciate Depp as an actor and Burton as a darkly stylistic filmmaker.
Remember when Christmastime movies were all sweetness & light? This year we get Sweeny Todd & Alien vs. Predator "R." A sign of the times, perhaps?
As much as I am a sap about all things Christmas related, and I am, I think it would be ironicly entertaining to see a double bill of Sweeny and AVP on Christmas day!
We watch Its a Wonderful Life Christmas eve and wrap presents while the kids are asleep and I enjoy a good 12 year MaCallan during the whole process.
Tracy
Jim - Sorry to hear that, I was looking forward to Golden Compass...Although, oddly, I can;t seem to read the books. Everyone I know and respect LOVES it, but I keep bouncing off them. But I really was looking forward the movie.
Carl - I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I'll go in with an open mind. And my mom says that her theatre on-line buddies are all saying it's great.
Tracy - Sounds like a heavenly night!
Lana - Don;t get me wrong, I'm a big Johny Depp fan. It's just hard to imagine him in the role after seeing Michael Cerveris on stage. One of the best performances I've ever seen. Don't worry about the music, it's fantastic!
I think the Golden Compass movie is pretty good. I saw it yesterday and it didn't disappoint me. I'd say I liked it more than Narnia for many reasons. My woman found it better than Harry Potter... you should give it a try Irene ;)
I'll go in with an open mind as well Irene, and won't have any problem admitting I was wrong if I am disappointed by it. I think we are all on the same page and all hope desperately that it is a good film, both visually and from a story perspective.
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