Romeo+Juliet (3.5/10)

[Scarface989]

Baz Lurhman's first breakthrough film, a modern day adaption of William Shakespeare's classic play, tells the story of two star-crossed lovers from 2 rival families who fall in love. Although a modern day version is appealing, it was made horribly wrong. The dialogue is still in Shakespeare-ish territory, which makes for many awkward scenes, like a big, african american police chief reciting perfect Shakespeare dialogue. The two leads, Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, are good, but not great as the tragic lovers. their delivery of the dialogue all feels scripted, and not coming naturally. Only Pete Postalwaite as Friar Lawrence scores any points, since he's skilled in Shakespeare dialogue. One can't talk about this movie w/o talking about the weird directorial style of Baz Luhrman. This is the downhill part of the movie. It goes on like a 2 hour music video with no energy, or point. Combined w/ a confusing first "Shootout" at a gas station, a severe case of overacting (I.E. John Leguizamo) and the absurdity of the directorial work drive to this to the ground.

[inglourious basterd]

I havent seen this movie in a year or two, but I agree that this movie was, in a word, weird. If you want to see a better homage to Shakespeare's work, check Moulin Rouge. Its much more better than this one.

[Fergus]

There is one very odd thing I find about this thread. Scarface989, that same person that started this very thread, was also the last person to post on the other "Romeo + Juliet" thread that FlickJunkie reminded us was still open. I find that really funny. Weird, that's all.

However, I thought Romeo and Juliet, in the final product, had lots of problems. Most due to the fact that it was set in modern times. Now, I can't really picture it since it has been well over a year since I first saw it. However, I remember that I thought Baz Luhrmann had some really creative and interesting ideas, but they just didn't work. How do guns replace swords? Indiana Jones solved that one for us over 20 years ago when he shot the swordsman in Cairo.

The rating I gave it: **1/2 out of five. I guess if you convert it, it would be a 5 out of ten.

[Benny]

Yeah check out the other thread about this movie which I created a while back. But anyway here's my 8/10 review:

When I saw this film last week, I had mixed expectations going into it. But it turned out to be a very good adaptation of one of Shakespeare's best plays.

The movie begins and ends with a newscast of the events, and the opening credits roll out fast and furiously and play out as somewhat like a 2-minute commercial for the movie. I won't get into much detail about the plot because everyone pretty much knows the story. But anyway, a few changes have been made. First off, this version is set in present-day Verona Beach, California, and in it the Capulets and Montagues are now the rival wealthy families. What's also interesting is that the people, even though it's set in the present, talk in Shakespearean language. This was somewhat weird and annoying at first, but I got used to it as the movie went on.

Pre-"Titanic" Leo Dicaprio does fine in his role of Romeo, as does Clare Danes for Juliet, however neither of them are exceptional. My favorite actor was the one who plays Romeo's best friend Mercutio, and of course he gets killed. Director Baz Luhrmann does well also, he sure knows how to move the camera around. The movie also is vivid and very colorful. However, the movie is pretty slow and boring in some parts, and I wish Clare Danes had shown a bit more in the sex scene http://www.joblo.com/ubb/frown.gif

Many critics compained that this movie was too much for the "MTV generation" but I guess I didn't mind that because I consider myself to be part of that generation. I thought this movie would be a lot like West Side Story, but it wasn't at all like it. Overall, the movie was very good and fun, and I enjoyed it. 8/10

[Scarface989]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Fergus:
[B]There is one very odd thing I find about this thread. Scarface989, that same person that started this very thread, was also the last person to post on the other "Romeo + Juliet" thread that FlickJunkie reminded us was still open. I find that really funny. Weird, that's all.

B]</font>
i figure if I start my own topic, my voice will be heard better

[The Heart Collector]

The visuals in this movie kicked some motherfucking ass.


I liked it, to be honest. Probably a 7.

[urbanlegend23]

I really enjoyed this. The chemistry between the two leads was fantastic, and I loved the way the director had chosen to modernize the story a little more. Baz Luhrmann is incredible!
Overall, this is very entertaining, quite engrossing and keeps faithful to brilliant and tragic classic Romeo + Juliet tale.

8/10