A miracle of sorts has happened: Watching TWO film musicals on the big screen in the same calendar year. Amazing. Not since my late junior high school years and falling instantly for cinematic versions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors, Tommy, Grease, West Side Story and Top Secret (dammit people, that IS a musical!) had I felt exuberant over musicals. But you know, the planets and closest constellations (not to mention the right plot, songs and casting) must first align to create the perfect storm for me.
I'll keep this review of Sweeney Todd brief. It's bloody good. Pun and no pun intended. As I said on my MS calendar, it was another role Johnny Depp seemed destined to play, even when he first joined forces with Tim Burton for Edward Scissorhands. Still fresh of 21 Jump Street and film fans were beginning to take notice 16-17 FREAKIN' YEARS AGO!
Burton has made a career out of reveling in the truly ghoulishly, sardonic, mischievous delights that reign among gothic, darkly humorous, subversive elements. And Depp (and Helena Bonham Carter, to an extent) have been perfect muses for Burton in this realm. And vice versa. The casting shines in Sweeney Todd, with Alan Rickman still recalling the sneering Die Hard/Hans Gruber character that put him on the map. And there is something to be said for Sasha Baron Cohen, when he channels Borat, Ali G, the Talledega Nights driver and roughly four other characters (including, eventually, his true self) in the rival Pirelli.
Indeed, Sweeney Todd is not like the more bold, adventurous, unconventional musicals that have crossed the movie screens over recent years. Newer originals (dare I say, semi-rock operas) such as Moulin Rouge and Across the Universe really have no comparison. ST is more traditional, holding rather true to its Broadway roots save for the excess amount of splattering blood. Its Dickensian/Brechtian spirit of impoverished 19th century London rings true in every dark sewer, dingy alleyway and wretched piece of vermin that appears on screen. For a musical/film that embraces death, despair and vengeance, Sweeney Todd is devilishly gory fun.
As the Boyz II Men song goes, we've now come to the end of the road. Of 2007. Overall, it was a great year. I could've accomplished some trips, more reading, or increasing my DVD and musical collection. Being a better friend to some. But that's why you look to the next year to have a clean slate and redefine yourself. And besides, we have five years left before the ancient Mayan calendar expires, so let's make this time count!
