happy holidays!
Happy holidays, everyone! For all of you who are celebrating Christmas, I hope you have a fabulous day tomorrow.
And thank you to venetia_sassy for my Christmas polar bear! He/she is adorable.
ETA: Another thank you to blueraccoon, who sent me a brain in a jar. Because I am a very good girl.
I saw Sweeney Todd today (I know, perfect Christmas Eve viewing), and absolutely loved it. This is my favorite Sondheim show, I've seen several versions of it onstage, going all the way back to the Royal National production in London in the mid-'90s, and any fears I may have had about this movie adaptation were completely soothed by the viewing experience today.
Johnny Depp made a brilliant Sweeney, and Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were wonderful, as well. The visuals are dark and gorgeous, and one thing that interested me is in spite of the "opening up" that happens in a movie, this still felt like a stage show in many ways.
In fact, I only had one real complaint.
They cut "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd"!
I had no objections to any of the other cuts and changes that were made (and, in fact, didn't miss most of the songs that were dropped), but "Ballad" was a real loss. I've read comments from Burton that it wasn't cinematic, but I think it could have been integrated into the story with very little trouble. At the very least, they could have played it over the opening and closing credits; the melody line is there.
Of course, I've also read that the real reason it got cut was production delays, which would be borne out by the very, very brief appearance of Anthony Stewart Head in the Market scene; he was supposed to be one of the "Ballad" chorus members.
That one problem aside, run out and see it if you can. I loved it. And I may write some more detailed comments about it later on.
And thank you to venetia_sassy for my Christmas polar bear! He/she is adorable.
ETA: Another thank you to blueraccoon, who sent me a brain in a jar. Because I am a very good girl.
I saw Sweeney Todd today (I know, perfect Christmas Eve viewing), and absolutely loved it. This is my favorite Sondheim show, I've seen several versions of it onstage, going all the way back to the Royal National production in London in the mid-'90s, and any fears I may have had about this movie adaptation were completely soothed by the viewing experience today.
Johnny Depp made a brilliant Sweeney, and Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were wonderful, as well. The visuals are dark and gorgeous, and one thing that interested me is in spite of the "opening up" that happens in a movie, this still felt like a stage show in many ways.
In fact, I only had one real complaint.
They cut "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd"!
I had no objections to any of the other cuts and changes that were made (and, in fact, didn't miss most of the songs that were dropped), but "Ballad" was a real loss. I've read comments from Burton that it wasn't cinematic, but I think it could have been integrated into the story with very little trouble. At the very least, they could have played it over the opening and closing credits; the melody line is there.
Of course, I've also read that the real reason it got cut was production delays, which would be borne out by the very, very brief appearance of Anthony Stewart Head in the Market scene; he was supposed to be one of the "Ballad" chorus members.
That one problem aside, run out and see it if you can. I loved it. And I may write some more detailed comments about it later on.