That said…

I felt slightly let down by Sweeney Todd when the movie ended. Sure the gore was more than expected which was a great bonus and the acting was top notch. The songs were great and Johnny Depp sings better than I was expecting. Helena Bonham Carter doesn’t have the greatest voice, but she tackled the role with vigor and it came across well. Jamie Campbell Bower was the real stand out for me – excellent actor with an incredible voice. The songs were great and it didn’t seem as flamboyant as most musicals are. It was a musical without the over the top theatrics and it worked well. The dark colors used for the costumes, sets and makeup were a perfect fit for a deliciously dark story. It should have been a roaring success.

In the end though, I felt Sweeney Todd was missing something. I can’t say exactly what it was. Perhaps it was nothing more than not being able to meet the ridiculously high expectations I set for it. I’ve watched it several times and I must say my somewhat empty feeling after the first trip through London with Mrs. Lovett and her demented love interest was hasty and unfair. With a more open mind and lowered expectations, I enjoyed Sweeney Todd much, much more.

Quick Review: Sweeney Todd is one of those movies that gets better with repeated viewings. My advice, watch it and then watch it again after a week. You’ll enjoy it much more the second time around – just don’t be surprised when you go back a third time.

Love the movie? Buy the DVD:

Single Disc Edition:
Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Double Disc Edition with Bonus Features:
Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Two-Disc Special Collector’s Edition)

Done? Okay good. Don’t skip Repo! because you don’t like Paris Hilton. To do that would be to deprive yourself of a fun, disturbing, gory and all around awesome movie directed by Darren Lynn Bousman who also directed Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV. Impressive resume and impressive film.

The cast is spectacular – each and every performance is solid although there are some weaker that others. Nope, not talking about Paris here; given she doesn’t deliver the best performance in the movie, but I’m referring to Bill Moseley (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects). He isn’t bad as badass Luigi Largo and he was very well cast for the part,but if I had to pick a weakest like it would be him.

Next, yes, it would be Paris Hilton as Amber Sweet. That said, she’s still fantastic and she can actually really sing. But hey, I liked her in House of Wax too. So let’s continue.

The spotlight performances are kind of hard to pick out as everyone is incredible. Alexa Vega (Spy Kids), Paul Sorvino (Bulworth), Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sarah Brightman (The Phantom of the Opera) and Nivek Ogre (from the awesome band, Skinny Puppy) are all so good it’s ridiculous, but if I had to pick one… well, I can’t. Top three performances in this movie are Anthony Head, Sarah Brightman and Nivek Ogre.

Some people might be turned away by the fact that Repo! The Genetic Opera is a musical, but give it a chance. You’ll be rewarded. There’s plenty of blood shed and the music is actually really good.

Quick Review: Repo! The Genetic Opera is not to be missed. Trust me. And guess what? Paris is great in it. I know you don’t believe me. Watch the movie and you’ll see.

Love the movie? Buy the DVD:

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Blu-Ray

Repo! The Genetic Opera [Blu-ray]