As the opening credits and music fill the screen, my mind is full of visions of the dark, violent bloody mess that may await me. Afraid to look at the screen but to enamored to look away, I hold my breath in anticipation of Johnny Depp’s entrance as this “demon barber.” I don’t have long to wait as the opening shot brings him right to the front of the screen as his newfound singing voice fills the air, something that is in no way a comparison to the listening of the soundtrack. The cinematography, a typical Tim Burton appearance, is familiar; yet beautiful in a strange compelling way. The biggest surprise is that the next hour and 55 minutes is not as much a scary horror-fest, as the press have painted it; but yet a scattering of giggles and laughter stemmed from the witty-sided humor that is peppered throughout the film. Helena is a shining star in this tale, standing out amongst the backdrop of the gloomy London streets.
The most fulfilling scene in this artist mural is the first song by Sweeny to his razors. Whoever said that Johnny only sings in this movie obviously missed this piece, in which as his hands connect with the blades, turns into a poetic dance. His beautiful fingers caressing and grasping the silver as he proceeds to sway his arms and gracefully move across the screen in something that resembles no less than a waltz, with the razors as his partner. Throughout the story you can see that Johnny is more than comfortable with these tools of Sweeny’s trade, a reminiscent of Edward’s hand or Jack’s sword that have always become an extension of himself. His singing his strong and true with an unwavering conviction. The audience experienced a hushed silence following the climatic ending that echoed of the classical film area, with Johnny in a more than masterful pose that will stick in your mind as his greatest exit in any film.
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