I must admit, I'm terribly conflicted about whether to see this movie. I can trust Burton to come up with imagery not possible on the stage, but I've always been a diehard fan of the PBS' airing of the stage show (with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury). Depp and Bonham-Carter just seem too young and pretty to me. And Hearn just has the most amazing voice.

Do I give it a chance or stick with my biases?

It was very well reviewed on NPR. Film Dude said that Depp and Carter don't have "musical style" voices, but it keeps the whole thing intimate. He also said to watch for tons of arterial spray. I can't wait to see it. My daughter is going to see National Treasure 2: Electric Boogaloo with her friends while my husband and I see Sweeney Todd.

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I like the movie hairspray but didn't want to see the musical, but this is a bit different. Sweeney, is still the same basic show but just expanded for the screen. So, why not go to enjoy the adaptation and the creativity of it.

Unfortunately, I never saw it on stage, but I bet that after I see the film I'll be interested in checking it out.

There are abundant trailers posted here and there, some with decent excerpts of Depp and Bonham-Carter singing. There are some song excerpts on the official website, as well. Depp seems almost ready to belt a couple of times, and other times he sounds like Jack Sparrow channeling Rex Harrison. Some is patter, some is actually quite tuneful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTo0qvNURmo
http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/
(Enter site, select "music" from the menu. I suggest #5, Friends, to get a sense of his expressive range.)

I thought about going to the midnight show tonight but my experience with POTC II has taught me I'm too old to do that any longer. But I'm going tomorrow.

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Yes, I found excerpts of the original PBS airing of the stage show on YouTube this week and have been geeking out on that.

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Toooooddddddddd
His skin was pale and his eye was ooddddddddd"

The stage show followed the Grand Guignol tradition of using sparse scenery, because all of the money went into making and using copious fake blood. The stage show used little more than some scaffolding and a couple of set pieces that were rotated for different scenes.

I'll probably go check the movie after the opening weekend furor has died down. I'm too old and crotchety for a packed theatre.

I can make my own work hours, so will go when the theater is not likely to be packed. That will be me, knitting, in the center of the first row after the crossways aisle, at the 10:25 show tomorrow.

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Wow. I also loved the PBS version (have it on a VHS tape somewhere) and wanted to see the movie but after listening to that know that I'll have to go soon. Almost as good as George Hearn singing Friends.

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...Sweeney remains my favorite musical. I loved the PBS version, the "In Concert" one mixes opera with Broadway and the NY Philharmonic and is positively orgasmic. The 2005 Broadway version, with minimalist orchestra and a great Patti LuPone, was outstanding as well (saw it opening weekend).

This movie adaptation is getting favorable reviews so far, but given my reverence of the musical I think im set up for disappointment.

PhillyBlog outing to see Sweeney anyone?

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I have my ticket for tomorrow, but would probably be up for seeing it a second time. Should I post a review?

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Bump. I've seen it. I found it very compelling. I'll be interested in what others think.

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