Top 50 movies of the decade, part three

26. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Release date: Dec. 21, 2007; Director: Tim Burton; Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman

The 2000s saw a resurgence in live action musicals, but the only one to make our list is Burton’s take on Stephen Sondheim’s blood-soaked tale of vengeful barber Sweeney Todd. Two masters of their respective forms made a perfect match—the delicate beauty and twisted humor of Sondheim’s remarkable score finding a richly cinematic compliment in Burton’s goth art aesthetic. Further enhanced by a phenomenal performance from Depp—Burton’s leading man of choice—the dark and complex “Sweeney” was nevertheless not as easy to embrace as some of the decade’s cheerier musicals. Too bad so few came anywhere close to matching its artistry. —GB

Related items:

• Top 50 movies of the decade, complete list
• Top 50 movies of the decade, part one
• Top 50 movies of the decade, part two
• Top 50 movies of the decade, part four
• Top 50 movies of the decade, part five