Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman: big names remaking a classic tale dripping with blood, betrayal and revenge. The new film, due in theatres this month, is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Benjamin Barker (Depp) is a carefree barber living in England. A wicked judge, played by Rickman, tries to seduce Barker's wife and in turn has the barber exiled to Australia. When Barker finally returns to England under the phony name of Sweeney Todd, he has only one thing on his mind: revenge. He doubles up with Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), a pie shop owner who knew Barker and his family´s history from the years past. The two form a pact in which Todd slits the throats of his unlikable clients and Lovett disposes of them in her minced meat pies -- no doubt an improvement on British cuisine.

Characterized usually as a "musical thriller", the movie is a cinematic version of the broadway musical composed by Stephen Sondheim. Box office sales will show if the Hollywood rendition has the same success as its theatrical counter-part. Being that graphic design can create the perfect murder, soaked in blood and gore, the movie version of Sweeney Todd will most likely take out the "music" and highlight the "thriller" in its description. Would be recommendation: go light on the sweets and popcorn...