Romeo + Juliet [Blu-ray] [1996]

Good film

Promoted as 'Shakespeare for the Tarantino generation' upon its release; something that's immediately evident in its visual and fashion style, as well as swapping swords for guns. This is a pretty accurate description of the film.Gone are the old fashioned Shakespearian aesthetics and settings, in comes the typical late 90's fashion - a Marmite clash of loud, proud colors and (questionable at best) dodgy haircuts, you'll either love or hate it. The setting may have changed, but, most, if not all of the dialogue has remained relatively true to the original, something which I, personally, am not too sure about.To me, the main benefit of seeing a remade Shakespeare, would be to avoid having to wrap my head around his frantic (now 'archaic,' and allegedly pot-fueled) dialogue style - this remains in the film and is as baffling in parts as the original, BUT - the play in the form of a film has an added benefit of actors and visuals to assist in deciphering his complex ramblings.Everyone knows the plot, the acting is great, production is nice but as always a matter of taste, would definitely rewatch this over going to the theatre.

What Romeo & Juliet means to different people will be just that, different. To some, this is a tale of fictional romance; a very well done piece by a legend in Literature and nothing more.To some, this is silly nonsense that doesn't necessarily hold its' place in the real world, perhaps to some in that class, it is dangerous in that it encourages vulnerability and even an unrealistic idea on love, or human relationships...But I am sold. I am a normal modern human-being who, in a fast world, is often only receptive to what can catch my senses by shouting loud enough. But, after hearing and seeing Baz Lurhmann's sexy, modernised (but unadulterated) take on this classic love story, it has almost completely polarised my opinion and (lack of) interest in William Shakespeare, and what he has brought to the World (which as those already there will know, can be a big personal moment).The story is well-set and well-played. It's quite hard to summarise in such a short article quite how large and complicated everything was, but it all comes together in an emotional climax that leaves many shattered at its' end.I'm thankful for the musical score, which tears you along and sweeps you up into the moments that this movie gives you on-screen. The pictures are 2D, but watch this with a 3D sound system, and it'll just suck you up.I'm thankful for the skill of the cast, who managed to dodge the proverbial bullet of having original Shakespearean text in a modern-day setting sound ridiculous (even though for some this may be unavoidable). Moreover, because I was interested, and listening, I can now appreciate the inherent poetry and in-built extra meaning and weight in every famous phrase, instead of what I previously thought was garble.I'm thankful for Baz Lurhmann and co., for their ability to carve out such a fantastic vision that left me, again, shattered; it was absolutely intense. I love a movie that can soak you up, and this take on Romeo + Juliet accomplishes it well.This version of the DVD has a load of extras as well, with takes on how the movie came together, and all of the people behind it. I found the accompanying extras to be quite an eye opener, but watch them after you've seen the movie.Overall, I was blown away by the movie and pleased with the extras that give you a real insight into what went on behind the cameras. I recommend this to people who have anything of a taste for movies. Really, it's that good.

For students needing to study the text for GCSE or A Level, it is a magnificent take on the story, characters and language. Yes you have to remind the children that in Shakespeare's 1590s setting in Verona in Italy they did not have machine guns, cars and LA bling. But the story, the characters, the language is easy to study especially with English sub-titles. They are exposed to the text which is the point of making them study classic literature.As a movie version of a Shakespeare play it is superb. Teenagers really enjoy watching the young stars acting out this story. Magnificent direction. Yes the most studious will voluntarily read and re-read the text. Yes they need to do this to excel. But many teenagers these days are not naturally comfortable with newspapers and plays in their hands. Put it on smartphone or tablet and they will read 'War and Peace' at one sitting. Especially if you throw in some pictures.It was a play written to be performed not read.The themes, story, were meant to be king. Not the technology of the day (horses not cars, daggers not machine guns).A great gift for a teenage relative especially if they have to study this for exams.Do remind them it has sub-titles in English.If I had to compare it to say a really worthy version of Hamlet by Mel Gibson when he was super hot after Lethal Weapon, well great actor as he is and great Shakespearian actor as well, and with such a great director and supporting cast, well it was boring and a trial to watch. If they had put in a motorbike chase then it would have had some excitement as this Romeo and Juliet version certainly does.Shakespeare in original language and 1590s setting works well on the stage but not the screen. Update the language, keeping the story or update the setting as this version of Romeo and Juliet does.Highly recommended.