| Product: |
Romeo And Juliet (DVD) |
| Date: |
27/05/08 (108 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Can always make me cry..
Disadvantages: A little over acting..
Romeo and Juliet, just happens to be one of the greatest love stories of all time... A tragic love story, but a love story none the less. Most people nowadays in secondary school are taught this play by the renowned William Shakespeare, and that is also where my love affair with this film started. I must admit for all my admiration of the Baz Luhrmann version of this film, it took me a long time to actually get round to buying this on DVD..!
When I did eventually buy it I went all the way and bought the special edition for £7 from Woolworth's, because being me I could not do anything by halves it would have to be the special edition with widescreen and extra features.
The director of this film is also the director of the multi-award winning film Moulin Rouge which I have to say I have never understood..! Just as Moulin Rouge was spectacularly produced and directed this film is just as good and its just as watch able and much, much easier to understand..!
The main characters:
Romeo Montague - Leonardo DiCaprio
Juliet Capulet - Clare Danes
~~ The Plot ~~
I won't give away too much of the plot because I am guessing that the majority of you are more than aware of the plot or even this adaptation of the play.
Basically, it is a story following two teenagers from two opposing families, who fall in love and endanger their own lives on the way.
Romeo a Montague and Juliet a Capulet, were never meant to know each other let alone fall in love. Meeting through fate because of Mercutio and his eagerness to go to a Capulet party, the party that is the catalyst for the whole play/film. The love develops with the classic balcony scene, and the couple agree to marry after only knowing each other a few hours. The pair believing they are destined to be together make arrangements with Juliet's Nurse to marry in Friar Lawrence's chapel the next day.. (If only relationships were that simple now..!)
Tybalt murders Mercutio, and this leads to Tybalt's death at the hands of Romeo. Causing banishment and need I say leading to the death's of both Romeo and Juliet.
Extras: the extras on this DVD are commentary by the director himself, cast and crew interviews, the usual behind the scenes documentary and by no means least there is the music videos from both Kym Mazelle and Des'ree.
~~ My Opinion ~~
Like I say I have loved this film since I was about fourteen and no matter when I watch it or who I'm with it never fails to bring a tear to my eye..! (Big soppy I am at times..!)
The setting of the film on Verona beach which has obviously been set in America itself rather than Italy, provided the perfect backdrop to this lovers romance and murderous death of many of this films characters.
If you have never read the play but have seen this film, it is safe to say the religious aspect of this film a much more obvious than in the actual play. The drama of this play is slightly over-acted in the film, especially in the murder of Mercutio with the pathetic fallacy on the beach with the incoming storm to dramatise the curse which Mercutio places on both the Montague's and the Capulet's.
Each character does have their own little quirks where they get to show a little of their individual personality, another trait which makes Luhrmann's films so well produced and directed. Although each character shows some of how they feel, Luhrmann never looses the drama and tragedy within the film. There are a few quirky items in this film which are obviously updates from the pervious films and the play itself, especially considering the age of the original play..! Each family has their family emblem on their guns, which does again add an individuality to this film. Compared to Zeferelli's version of Romeo and Juliet, it has a much more modern feel to it. Which for a modern audience such as we are is a big asset.
The film in general is very, very well made and has compelling elements such a the enigmas between scenes when the screen goes blank leaving you to wonder where the film is going next.. Even though after twenty times over you know exactly what is going to happen..! The actors at the time were less well know but since I have seen the majority of this cast in other films, obviously Leonardo DiCaprio who was everywhere..! Clare Danes recently was cast as the star in Stardust..!
The only one complaint I have with this film is the death of Juliet, when she decides to take that gun to her head surely there would be a lot more blood than there actually is..! Every time I see this film I always think that, but I'm sure it is because of the 15 age rating that there cannot be too much blood and gore..!
The DVD extras as listed above, are average the music videos feature the same scenes as in the film, and the commentary.. Is so annoying, obviously if you do not want your viewing pleasure disturbed then don't bother with the commentary..!
This film can go at any price as DVD's are fluctuating in price all the time.. The last time I saw the film on sale it was £4, but it may be more or less depending on where you look but do not expect to pay a fortune for such a great film.. It is well worth the price to have a classic within your midst..!
Summary: Brilliant adaptation of this classic..
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