Just got back from "Sweeney Todd"

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/6/07 at 10:34pm

WOW. Ok, first off, before I get to my quick review, let me just get one thing out of the way. Last year we went to NYC without any idea what to see. Several people on here recommended "Sweeney" and we went to see it without knowing anything about it... and... to be honest... i pretty much hated it. The actors were fine, some portions of the show were kind of interesting, but over all i hated it... could barely follow the story (because the actors were practically inaudible) and most of all I hated the music. i left the theater barely being able to remember one tune and seriously considered leaving after intermission.

so then i hear tim burton is directing a film version. and depp and helena are in it. and i'm intrigued, but still very weary because i hated the show (and especially the music) so much. anyhow... so i saw it tonight...

JESUS CHRIST. That movie was FANTASTIC! I have no idea how its possible, but i left the theater IN LOVE with the music. I thought it was beautiful, stunning, moving, everything that every other musical I have seen in the past 5 years was not. Sure Hairspray was fun, sure Dreamgirls has JHud, but this movie... this movie was something else.

Depp was sensational. Not the greatest singer in the world, but still very good. He was a fantastic (and scary) Sweeney. Sacha was hilarious. Rickman was superb (when is he not?), the little boy was incredible for such a young kid. everything was fantastic. the only weak link was Carter for me. And not because of her acting, her acting was top notch. But her singing fell a little short, especially on those big numbers like "worst pies in london" and whenever she sung with Depp. Still, do not get me wrong, she was fantastic and would have been even better had she been blessed with a real singing voice.

The direction was the best of Burtons career since "Ed Wood". And thats saying something considering how much I love "Ed Wood"...

i dont know what else to say. dont want to give anything away!! but am loving this movie and wish everyone could see it now... i think this movie deserves a best picture nomination. so bloody, so sensational, pure eye candy, and that music... god how is it possible that this is the same show i saw on broadway?? a show that put me to sleep on the stage but left me on the edge of my seat at the cinema...

anyhow... i'm gushing.

Updated On: 12/6/07 at 10:34 PM

[pdjennings]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 1:13am

I was lucky enough to attend a screening tonight as well... and I'm telling you -- even my admittedly lofty expectations were EXCEEDED.

From the first organ notes during the Dreamworks logo -- I knew it was gonna be perfect. The music is just ... IMMENSE. That's the best word I can use -- it's so massive, yet never overpowering.

And I just cannot say enough about the performances.
There is not a weak link ANYWHERE in this cast.

Everything -- just amazing. There's far too much to attempt detailing it all ... the whole movie is a freakin' work of ART.

I've got to add my voice to those predicting (demanding!) Oscar gold for Tim Burton -- this movie is a stunning masterpiece.

Not only should the film and it's cast be awarded every conceivable honor, the Academy should invent new categories so it can sweep them all.

Get excited peoplez -- this is the real deal.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 7:41am

I'm sure it's been remarked upon before, but can I just say how amazing the title sequence of this film is? The descent into the trap door and the hair raising instrumental that accompanies it took my breath away.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 8:22am

wasn't the opening sequence fantastic? like i said... i hated the music when i saw the show on broadway, and when the opening scene started last night and i heard the music starting i was like "oh crap... ugh... that annoying music non-melodic..." and afetr 5 minutes i was like "why is this so beautiful?? why is this so intense?? why does the music feel like a character on its own????? why do i love it and want the soundtrack now>>>"

god it was bizarre. i think the way you described the music is how i would say so too... "immense". at times the music was so lush and grand and captivating i felt like i was on the edge of my seat because of that alone...

i dont know what else to say... not many people have respinded to this thread so i hope that doesnt mean people arent excited about this?? i know i was skeptic and ended up being blown away...

this is the musical i had waited for since "chicago". i think alot of that has to do with the director... marshall is a genius and so is burton. look at what genius' can accomplish with a great cast...

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 3:04pm

anyone else go to a screening last night?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 3:48pm

Unfortunately, cubanpab... you didn't see the original Broadway production (1979), which the film closely resembles in much of its tone. The original Broadway production had costumes and sets (like a traditional Broadway show), therefore it was easy to follow and made the musical numbers visually stunning, etc. The recent John Doyle Broadway revival was a minimalistic and creative approach. Those who seem to have appreciated it were those familiar with the original material therefore knew the songs and appreciated this 'new' approach to them.

Personally, I would have HATED John Doyle's SWEENEY TODD if I had never seen nor heard the show before. That production would have been impossible to make ends out of anything if you didn't know what was what, so I validate in full your assessment of it.

Photos from the original Broadway production of SWEENEY TODD:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb208/EdwardCopeland/sweeney/vlcsnap-27578.png








Updated On: 12/7/07 at 03:48 PM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 4:09pm

thanks brody! thats how i felt last night watching the film... things were going down in the film that i dont ever remember happening when we saw the musical. we kept looking at each other like "when did that happen? and when did that take place???"

i remember watching the broadway show and having such a hard time tryign to follow the story and it didnt help that the singers were kind of inaudible for alot of it. we were sitting in box seats so maybe thats why it was harder to understand what they were saying... anyhow...

loved the movie. A++++

[lovinlovett]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 6:37pm

That's great! I'm so glad you loved it. I really believe that it takes repeat listenings to appreciate Sweeney's music (Sondheim in general). My first experience with it was on the concert DVD with George Hearn and Patti Lupone (which I highly recommend btw). I turned it on and thought, "what's all the fuss about?" and had to turn it off quickly. But, I was determined to get through it eventually and it wasn't long before I was giggling at "Pirelli's Miracle Elixer" and "A Little Priest". Then I was humming "Pretty Women" while at work. Now, it is seriously my favorite score. You should really check out the concert DVD and then the 1979 DVD with Angela Lansbury, they are both completely different and equally wonderful in their own way. It's amazing to me how many different ways they can present this show. It is truly a masterpiece.

I'm really excited to hear that you, as a previous Sweeney hater, were transformed by the movie! I saw it at a screening on Wednesday and I thought that the film is amazing but it's so hard to judge since I'm so biased towards the material. This gives me hope that the rest of the world will love it too!

[StageGuy99]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 9:40pm

Brody-

I can defiently see where you're coming from, and maybe I'm the exception- but I had never seen the original and totally loved the revival. I will even go so far as to say I had bought the CD prior to going to see the show and hated it, but utterly fell in love with the minamlistic style and actors/musicians. (It did take a while to catch on to the plot and what was going on, but once you get in to it, it was one hell of a ride!) I can't wait for the movie!

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 11:55pm

Because I'm 14 and only a freshman, my mom won't let me see sweeney at midnight on a schoolnight with my friends. I'm considering sneaking out. Now is here I go off topic. Any suggjestions? I'm new to this sneaking out ****.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 12:53am

I cannot f*cking WAIT for this movie.

Seriously, everytime I see a preview or a clip on television I get all tingly and excited.

Thanks for the great review! Now it just makes me want Dec. 21st to come even faster!

[travtrev2]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 2:10am

i'm so happy to hear this! sweeney is my favorite musical, but i'm not wild about burton so i was worried. but this is fabulous!

[kec]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 8:03am

"Any suggjestions? I'm new to this sneaking out ****. "

Yes -- DON'T DO IT. It will not kill you to wait until the weekend. Plus moms always find out when their kids do stuff like this -- I know from personal experience. It's not worth it.

[D2]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 8:09am

Cuban - did you take pictures?

Seriously though, I'm glad you enjoyed the film. BrodyFosse is dead on accurate when he said that you really can't judge SWEENEY TODD from John Doyle's production. The original was an astounding experience on every level, and it seems as if that's been repeated by its film version. I can't wait to see it myself!

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 8:39am

Thing is, a group of 20 people is going and 15 of them are my friends. So no, I do wanna wait. Any sugjestions now that I made that clear?

[Elphie3]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 10:41am

I agree - DON'T sneak out! Why don't you take advantage of waiting and plan a "Sweeney Party" - have some friends over, go see the movie, then stay up all night eating chocolate and talking about it. (Although this may be a girly thing. But it's still fun.) You could even watch the filmed stage version before or after....

[Clarinetbiter135]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 10:44am

how was the gore/scary factor? I want to take my mother and she doesn't do well with scary...

Glad you enjoyed it! Super excited that its actually good!

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 11:16am

All my friends are going at midnight. I thought I said that twice. Anyways if I was to have a sweeney party, I wouldn't know where to find the staged version. All I have is my friend's bootleg he loaned me.

[Clarinetbiter135]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 11:27am

Nothing good ever happened from sneaking out. First of all, your mother is going to find out. Don't fool yourself in to thinking you'll outsmart her. More than likely, she'll hear you come in/out. If not, she'll notice that you've gotten less than 2 hours of sleep for school. If you actually get by that, it will come back around thru your circle of friends/their mothers that you went. Besides.... 20 teenagers, driving back home at 3 in the morning..... not exactly a smart idea.

Plus, more than likely, a good portion of your friends won't be going either.... because they have parents that see that its not the greatest idea.

And I know that you're going to read this and just get mad. But its just simply not worth sneaking out. And your friends will understand (if not, then they are not your friends) Take Elphie's advice, and make a sweeney party out of it on a Friday or Saturday. You'll have a lot more fun without having to worry about getting caught

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 11:30am

the scare factor wasnt bad.. it didnt really have any scary moments... but the gore was quite strong... i dont think i'm spoiling anything but there is a segment where johnny just slits throats over and over for a while... lol... blood spurts everywhere and by the end of the film you kind of feel like you bathed in a blood rainstorm.

BUT. I am telling you. you will love it. like i said, what drew me to he film wasnt the gore or the scariness, etc etc, it was how beautifully it was shot and how incrdible the actors were and how captivating the music was... i didnt want it to end.

sure the broadway actors were way way better singers... but i just enjoyed the movie much more.

[kec]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 12:12pm

"All my friends are going at midnight. I thought I said that twice."

We all read it correctly the first time.

"Anyways if I was to have a sweeney party, I wouldn't know where to find the staged version."

Well, if you check Netflix and/or Amazon.com I have no doubt you will find it.

No one here is going to encourage you to disobey a parent. As Clarinetbiter and I have said, your mother will find out one way or another. No movie is worth the grounding you will very likely get. Far better to gather on the weekend and make a party of it as has already been suggested.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 1:43pm

Um...14 and scaried/worried about 'sneaking out'? I was already driving around the city of Miami when I was 14 years old! Sneaking-out means exactly that -- SNEAKING OUT. Leaving your house without getting caught. We don't know your home's specs to give you a game plan. Just do it. You're 14. This should come as second nature to you. It did to me when I was 14 years old.

[kec]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 2:04pm

Correction to my previous message...

ALMOST no one is going to encourage you to disobey a parent...

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 8:31pm

HAHAHAHAHA I'm not so much scared as I am worried. And yes, there IS a difference. And I have ex-stonor friends so I know not everyone is as scared as me. But then agaiin, I'm not about to get wasted and wind up in Ohio like my cousin did. So anyways, I am not sure. I just need sugjestion ss on whether the front or the back because there bedroom is towards the back.

[StageGuy99]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 8:51pm

this has to be one of the weirdest/dumbest conversations in a while, and that's saying something for this board! You do know you are asking a bunch of strangers on how best to sneak out of your house, a place that we have never seen. And I would just like to ask how exactly you can be an "ex-stonor" at age 14?

Can we all just go back to talking about how excited we are to see Sweeny?! Cause i know I am!