karykarywook
12-27-2007, 08:31 PM
I thought for sure you guys would have been reviewing Sweeney Todd for this past episode since you guys mentioned it before and seemed rather excited. I'm kinda hoping you guys taped the last one early because of Christmas and before Sweeney came out or before you got a chance to see it :P Anyhow I put a review up on Yahoo! Movies and I'd love to hear what the TRS guys or TRS fans thought of it.
I've seen several different versions of this show - live, the stage version from the 70s, a more recent concert version, listened to the new cast from a few years ago on Broadway, and now the movie. (On a side note - I love Sweeney for its depth - I've never ever been fond of Oklahoma-type musicals - I like musicals that tell a great story - just happen to be sung instead of spoken).
Pros:
Tim Burton got the direction right. "These are darks times..." and the ambiance for that is just right, which is never fully felt on stage - at least not the way it is in the film. He didn't turn sung lyrics into spoken lines (ala Rent). The overall story was told and was conveyed convincingly. Johnny Depp surprised me. Sure, he wasn't as dark voiced as Sweeney is usually cast, but he did very well and was utterly convincing. I actually liked the kid who played Toby too - I was afraid he was too young, but he was awesome.
Cons:
Lucy. My goodness how could you leave out the first meeting of Lucy and Sweeney? One of my favorite lines from Sweeney Todd is "And he was...naive...." and the fact that he was naive to the old beggar lady being Lucy was what thrilled me about this story. Leaving that foreshadowing out just killed me. And Helena Bohnam Carter - no no no. Physically she's right for it - but Mrs. Lovett needed to be much bolder than that and I'm sorry but her weak and tiny voice was so unlike anyone who should play her - most women who play Mrs. Lovett probably could be opera singers and to hear Helena's strained voice on high notes just made me sad. Also leaving the Ballad of Sweeney Todd out (sung version) was also a tragedy.
I understand that the movie shouldn't equal the stage version, so I didn't want to be too critical of that. Overall I liked this film and would recommend it. I guess just try not to be religious to the stage version, and you'll see a great movie.
I've seen several different versions of this show - live, the stage version from the 70s, a more recent concert version, listened to the new cast from a few years ago on Broadway, and now the movie. (On a side note - I love Sweeney for its depth - I've never ever been fond of Oklahoma-type musicals - I like musicals that tell a great story - just happen to be sung instead of spoken).
Pros:
Tim Burton got the direction right. "These are darks times..." and the ambiance for that is just right, which is never fully felt on stage - at least not the way it is in the film. He didn't turn sung lyrics into spoken lines (ala Rent). The overall story was told and was conveyed convincingly. Johnny Depp surprised me. Sure, he wasn't as dark voiced as Sweeney is usually cast, but he did very well and was utterly convincing. I actually liked the kid who played Toby too - I was afraid he was too young, but he was awesome.
Cons:
Lucy. My goodness how could you leave out the first meeting of Lucy and Sweeney? One of my favorite lines from Sweeney Todd is "And he was...naive...." and the fact that he was naive to the old beggar lady being Lucy was what thrilled me about this story. Leaving that foreshadowing out just killed me. And Helena Bohnam Carter - no no no. Physically she's right for it - but Mrs. Lovett needed to be much bolder than that and I'm sorry but her weak and tiny voice was so unlike anyone who should play her - most women who play Mrs. Lovett probably could be opera singers and to hear Helena's strained voice on high notes just made me sad. Also leaving the Ballad of Sweeney Todd out (sung version) was also a tragedy.
I understand that the movie shouldn't equal the stage version, so I didn't want to be too critical of that. Overall I liked this film and would recommend it. I guess just try not to be religious to the stage version, and you'll see a great movie.