Jul 21, 2020

Sweeney Todd

Saw Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a Tim Burton SPOOK-tacular about a barber whose life was destroyed and who is returning to Victorian London to wreck his terrible revenge on those responsible and on people in general. It's very grim and morbid but sort of fun in a self-serious, guys wearing eyeliner kind of way.

I went into this expecting morbidity and grimness and was completely satisfied. I was surprised somewhat by his partner in crime being sort of hesitant and doubtful about Sweeny's murder plans. I expected gleeful murder, but the murder is more self-destructive on Sweeny's part and kind of ... hesitantly enabling on the part of Mrs Lovett (the partner in crime.) Similarly, I enjoyed how violence just solved everything. Murder is a messy business and people keep track of each other well enough that this all has to end in disaster, but Sweeny makes a compelling argument for just doubling down on the murder.

Anyway, the film rises to a great climax that's very gothy and morbid. I'm surprised this film wasn't claymated by Studio Laika. It's very much the sort of film I would have enjoyed in high school. Now, it's like hanging out with an old friend. It's not surprising but not unpleasant either. Familiar.

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