Sondheim wonders if Johnny Depp has the vocal chops for Sweeney Todd film

[Morrigoon]

This looks fun, actually.

But count me in the camp that wants to decapitate the next Hollywood person to decide that sung lines should be spoken over their music. Little Lotte indeed.

[Morrigoon]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!?!!?

I thought they did an awesome job with Chicago! I mean, yeah I missed "Me and My Baby", which was reduced to background music for a montage, BUT, I thought the director did a terrific job of giving it a theatrical feel without making it look like they just filmed the stage play.

(Though that can work too, Into The Woods being a good example, speaking of Sondheim)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Actually, it appears there may not be a lot of songs OR singing. I found Alex's quote in question here: http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=11953

I know from my accidental overhearing of the film that, as of this cut, "Not While I'm Around" is in. And presumably "A Little Priest," seeing as the reprise is in place. And presumably "By the Sea," presuming that the technicolor seaside scenes in the trailer are in Lovett's mind.

Yes, I agree it looks well-shot and interestingly designed (and I totally love the chair design in particular.) I guess my sadness is that I so deeply love the entire score-- from "attend the tale" to "fleet street"... and I, as yet, have no evidence that the prologue/epilogue will be included.

I always say-- I can judge the potential of a production of Sweeney by the quality of the factory whistle. I guess I will wait to hear it before I really make any judgments. I know it isn't going to be the original production-- nor is it supposed to be-- but it's hard to see your favorite thing (a favorite thing you very much want to do, yourself) in the hands of someone else.

[Morrigoon]

Worst pies in London, anyone?

[mousepod]

I admit I'm a huge fan of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. I saw the original production on Broadway with Len Cariou, and have since enjoyed a number of different revivals and "re-imaginings".

While my love for Tim Burton has vanished since the atrocious Planet of the Apes remake, I like the look of this movie (or at least the trailer). And if it even has a bit of the original musical in it, I'll bet I'll enjoy it.

And if the music doesn't hold up, there's still the George Hearn/Angela Lansbury DVD from "Great Performances," so at least this won't be the only video recording of the show.

(and I still love Alan Parker's Evita)

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by mousepod

(and I still love Alan Parker's Evita)

Wow, and I thought that Evita was unwatchable (even tho I do like the music, especially the orchestrations, to the movie version). Montage, anyone? Oh wait, let's have another montage. Oh oops we almost had a scene, but just kidding we're going to make it a montage. It's a textbook case of "what works on stage may not work cinematically".

Plus Morrigoon and I emphatically agree that whoever did Jonathan Pryce's makeup in that movie made him look like an anthromorphic turtle.

Back to sweeny: Tim Burton stuff is so hit-and-miss (The good: Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The bad: Corpse Bride, Planet of the Apes)... it's hard to tell from the trailer.

But I agree with others, it is all about the music. I think that "Not While I'm Around" is just as important as the Prologue ("Attend the tale of Sweeny Todd...") and "A Little Priest" (the end of the trailer seems to show the lead in to that song), so I seriously hope they don't cut it.

Movie musicals are always a weird thing with me anyway -- it takes a bit for me to get away from the "oh, that's different than the play and I like the way they did it in the play better" type mentality. I don't expect them to film the play either (again what works on stage may not work cinematically) but there's a point at which you gut the underlying work so much that what made the underlying work good is lost in translation entirely.

[Morrigoon]

But, for example, would you like Hello, Dolly! better onstage, do you think?

[Strangler Lewis]

I agree about Evita. I enjoyed it well enough because of the music, but it struck me as having too many unnecessary cuts to prove it was a realistic movie, not a stage play.

I liked Chicago. I thought it did justice to the stagey, Brechtian, blah, blah, blah of the story.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I loved Chicago. In fact, I'd say the exact opposite of Alex - wonderfully performed, tight story, great choreography, timely issues. Just sayin'.

[mistyisjafo]

I'm not a fan of the musical but I am looking forward to seeing Tim Burton's take on Sweeney. From what I've seen in the preview it looks fun! Who needs great singing when Johnny is slashing?