Tim Burton’s Oscar-nominated adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s horror/musical stars Burton regulars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Burton mixes decent songs with fine performances, black humor and his typically arresting and intricately crafted art design for an entertaining movie that’s one of his best.

Depp plays the Demon Barber, a serial killer out for revenge for the death of his wife and abduction of his daughter. Cutting the throats of customers coming in for a shave, he sends them downstairs so Carter can use them for her thriving meat pie business.

Depp does a capable job with the songs, doing a kind of David Bowie impression, but none of them really stand out. The gore isn’t really exaggerated enough to be funny, and at a certain point becomes somewhat monotonous. Still, an original take on the musical.

Grade: B+

Sweeney Todd is currently available.