Fridae

Tim Burton has done it again. The Prince of Dark Films has created another weird fairytale that combines his innocent child-like imagination with his hardened adult understanding of how cruel the world can be. The result is a dark and devilish delight recently won the Golden Globe award for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy).

Adapting gay composer Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd onto film, Tim injects his very own brand of psychological neurosis and paranoia into the proceedings, making the film more bloody and disturbing than any of its stage incarnations. Even if you end up hating every single one of its characters, you can't help but be entertained.

Johnny Depp (who has acted in five other Tim Burton's films) plays the titular role of Sweeney Todd, a happily married man who is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. When he is released, Sweeney returns to his hometown to seek vengeance.

Unfortunately, his blood-thirst is not limited to just those who offend him, but extends to almost anyone who steps into his barber shop and sits down on his barber chair. With his sharp gleaming shaving knife, Sweeney does his worst...

Audacious, inspired and mercilessly dark, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the perfect counter-musical for anyone who can't stand The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang and all the other typically bright and happy musicals the world has seen. If you've ever gazed at Emily the Strange images with a certain morbid fascination, Tim Burton definitely wants you for his audience.