Movie Moment

From the gothic ' Sleepy Hollow ' to the kitsch 'Mars Attacks', to 'Planet of the Apes' sci - fi and the fantasy of Edward Scissorhands, Burton has explored almost every type of film not rooted in recognizable reality.

'Sweeney Todd ', all shadowy Victoriana, draws its energy from the sense of those dark and dangerous times. Based on a very successful musical, where characters burst into song in the middle of nerve-racking moments, this treatment detracts from the looming, atmospheric threat.

Sweeney Todd, played by the broodingly handsome Johnny Depp is a skilled barber turned malevolent avenger after scheming villain Judge Turpin, portrayed by Alan Rickman, sentences our hero to prison in order to get his paws on Todd's pretty wife.

Once back in London , Todd sets up business over the pie shop of Mrs. Lovett (the enigmatic Helena Bonham-Carter) and plots his revenge. ”He was beautiful" she says wistfully on first meeting him.

With the help of his old friends, the razorblades, Todd establishes his reputation as the closest shaver in town in an attempt to get closer to the judge's throat.

Shaving contests soon turn into jugular dissections, meat processing and eventually pies. "Have a little priest" Ms Lovett coos as her once miserable pies become an over-night hit with the unsuspecting masses.

Todd and Lovett look disturbingly alike when plotting, singing and performing their dance macabre around the shop, gothic and ghoulish with their pale skins, dark circled eyes and crazy hair.

The set, although powerful in its Dickensian gloom, is restricted to one small place inhabited by a beautiful madman. Despite all the glorious gore, the terror, like the film set is minimised. The score is snazzy, but the lyrics wander off in parts, as did my attention, although the subplot involving a pair of star-crossed lovers fills in the gaps between the train and the platform.

But whatever its minor frailties, Sweeney Todd is another wonderful art work in the Burton gallery of magic.