IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Dartherer I really don't get the hype.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Cem Lamb This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

patanellar Because it was required by my school. I never understood how this film was remade, because aren't films that are remade supposed to be good? One good thing came out of this-I got to call Romeo a sexist womanizing playboy in my essay about this. Why? Because he clearly is.

Mike LeMar I couldn't quite give it an 8 because Romeo isn't very manly in this. He's more of a guy in the remake. The one and only part I couldn't stand is when he learns of his banishment; he lies on his side on the floor, facing up against the wall to shut the world out...and blubbers...and blubbers...and blubbers...until eventually Father Laurence snaps at him, telling him to get up, and explains where to go from here. When he did that, I thought, "Seriously. Get up out of your fetal position and be a man. How can a beautiful girl be in love with that? I understand being devastated but my word..." A POSITIVE note that I have is that the Love At First Sight sequence, from beginning to end (when they finally part ways from the Capulet backyard after exchanging vows) was even better than the remake. It went slower and had a lot more feeling/vibe to it. It sunk deeper into a given person in the audience; it was FELT more.

Hitchcoc Having watched this film about sixty times (as an addendum for my Shakespeare students), I'm glad the kids got to see a play by the Bard. It is very visual, very colorful, with a modern twist and a beautiful Nino Rita soundtrack. The two kids who play the leads are decent actors and they give us the basics. But it is barely Shakespeare because most of the poetry is left out. It also leaves out significant plot elements that are critical to the play. This is about character development and the building suspense and angst that gets us to the conclusion. Too little and too fast. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this movie, but don't mix it up with a real presentation of Shakespeare. There is cutting and then there is cutting.

oOoBarracuda I was finally able to finish House of Cards so I could get started on my movie list for March; better late than never, right? I chose to watch first perhaps the best known and most imitated work of Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. I chose the 1968 adaptation directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the titular roles. I selected this adaptation because everything I had read indicated that it was the most faithful adaptation. I wanted to start out my month of Shakespeare strong, and this version of Romeo and Juliet did not disappoint. I'm almost certain that everyone knows the story. The classic tale of forbidden romance ending in tragedy. Teenagers from two competing families unexpectedly fall in love. Romeo Montague (Leonard Whiting) spots Juliet Capulet (Olivia Hussey) while attempting to create a ruckus at a Capulet gathering. Unable to get the young girl out of his mind, Romeo seeks her out under the cover of darkness. Unbeknownst to him, Juliet saw him at the party too and has also fallen instantly in love. At her balcony, Romeo professes his love to Juliet and vows that she will remain the only woman in his heart. Juliet obliges and agrees she will not seek the company of any other men. The problem for their budding romance is their families' years- long feuding. The Capulets and Montagues are hopelessly divided and any romance intermixing the two families would be received as betrayal. In secret, their relationship presses on, culminating in a secret marriage. Juliet is then promised in marriage to a man of her father's choosing. Devastated by the thought of marrying another, and unsure what to do about her predicament, Juliet drinks a potion which will render her with the appearance of being dead. Her co- conspirator, Friar Lawrence (Milo O'Shea) is to get a message to Romeo about the plan. The goal was for Juliet to appear dead long enough to be entombed, then, regain consciousness and run away with Romeo. Romeo never receives the message, and believing Juliet to be dead, poisons himself. When Juliet awakes, sees Romeo has died, kills herself, unwilling to live a life without his love. Obviously, a heavy story involving two teens engaging in a forbidden love, this version of Romeo and Juliet was incredibly faithful to the Shakespeare play. This faithful adaptation bogged down the story with heavy period dialogue. There was also a problem with sound throughout this film. In several scenes, especially high-intensity ones, the speech being heard didn't match the actor saying the words, which was a bit distracting. The sound in the opening battle scene was so off, it was almost comical. The camera work throughout the film made it very dated. Many techniques reeked 1960's and made the film a bit less visually appealing. There were high points to the film. I quite enjoyed the theatrical feel of the film. I enjoy watching plays, and like a movie that can recreate that feeling. The acting was also very well done. Romeo and Juliet showed a wonderfully reserved chemistry on-screen. The actors had to appear hopelessly in love, yet must hide their love from others, no small task, especially for younger actors. Although I don't know how many more times I will see this film, it did prove an exceptionally faithful adaptation of the bard's magnum opus.