In darker days, before the existence of disposable razors, lived a barber named Benjamin Barker and his wife - and they were beautiful. Their lives were happy until Benjamin, convicted of a crime he did not commit, was transported to a secluded island to rot in eternal abomination with his fellow prisoners. The man behind this evil act was a devious, jealous man named Judge Turpin.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is set in 19^th century London, when the once joyous streets are haunted by the ghosts of better days. Director Tim Burton does a horrifically tremendous job of painting the tone of devastation, with rat infested streets and thick, black smog creating a sense of depression and angst.

Consumed in sorrow, everyone in the town needs a lift. The lovely and neurotic Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) finds a way to get that lift with the help of Mr. Sweeney Todd, formerly known as Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp). At the expense of his customers, Sweeney will provide the meat Mrs. Lovett cannot afford to buy, so that she can make and sell meat pies. Nobody need know that these pies are made with people. These two savvy business owners might just save themselves from poverty and mental slavery.

Each of Todd’s victims is only a hurdle to clear on his way to achieving his ultimate goal of murdering Judge Turpin when he comes in for a shave and a haircut. Todd’s quest for vengeance spins you through the tale of a barber and his burning desire for the flesh of the lustful judge Turpin.  

Although my bias leans towards the original Broadway version of this demonic musical, I found Burton’s re-creation of this masterpiece highly amusing. The tone of Depp’s voice comes nowhere near the eeriness of the original Todd (Len Cariou), but his immense effort is noted and appreciated. The same goes for Carter and her portrayal of Mrs. Lovett, who was originally played by the prophetic Angela Lansbury.

Depp and Bonham Carter make up for their breathy voices with their duo of sadness and mourningful tones. Together, the two lead characters match with their melancholy attitudes and sarcastic personalities.

Burton’s adaptation isn’t the most enduringly classic Sweeney Todd or the most brilliant original. Characters have been rearranged in importance of the plot and many songs have been cut. But this enthralling film is mixed with a dash of devilish work of Sondheim (composer of the music in Sweeney Todd), a pinch of comic relief from Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Borat/Ali G), and Depp’s overall oddity. The blend of styles provides a great deal of entertainment.

Sweeney Todd seems to have been transferred successfully from the stage to screen. The film is an hour shorter than the musical, but nothing of importance has been lost. Burton has maintained the overall feel of havoc and despair which has helped with the success of this film.

Not seeing this film would be a mistake. Bringing small children along for the show would be a mistake as well. Sweeney Todd is a highly graphic film that is not recommended for those who do not enjoy watching others being slaughtered, or otherwise harmed on a regular basis.

Cannibalism is a big theme of this story, so I would advise skipping the popcorn and bringing an empty belly to the show. As you sit and gawk at the tale of a frustrated barber, prepare to fly through a portal of devilish emotions.