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172 comments:
There were many ways in which the story was retold for modern viewers. For instance, the rivalry between the Capulet and the Montague houses is illustrated with two powerhouse corporations who are sworn enemies. This is comparable to today’s society, since many corporations are rivals. Also, race plays a new and interesting role in this modern telling. Rivals, Tybalt Capulet and Romeo Montague, are played by actors who are of different races. Tybalt is played by a Hispanic actor and Romeo is played by a white actor, which represents the issue of races clashing, such as they do today. Also, the rivalry was updated by making it gang related, to fit the current definition of a rivalry.
Another important symbol was the use of the television. This device, which was featured throughout the movie, served as a look into what was going on from an objective point of view. The use of a television also reinforced the idea of a more modern setting, in a more technologically advanced period.
I LOVE this film. To add to the prior comments, what I most enjoyed was how the story was modernized. I love how the director took the actual words from Shakespeare but used contemporary representations. For example, how guns were used throughout the film but were referred to as swords and were even labelled as such. Also, how Romeo paid the apothecary with normal bills but called it "gold."
I was so excited to see this movie. I have seen bits and pieces of the film before but never the entire thing from beginning to end, so I was glad to have finally seen it. One thing that I really liked was how the director had combined the words or language of the play with it being set in a bit more of a modern type setting. It made me understand what was written in the actual play alot more than I did when I had first read it. I think that if we watched all of the shakespeare films in a modern setting like this one, they will all be so much easier to understand as far as the language, themes, and everything else.
I thought that the modernization of this story was an interesting take... anyone else notice the first 14 lines before Romeo and Juliet kiss is a perfect sonnet?
I think Tybalt and Mercutio stole the show by their intense and fiery performance in this alternate Shakespeare universe. Tybalt stood out because of his Prince of Cats moves with his "dagger" gun that bears the image of the Virgin Mary, a very ironic detail. The film was full of religious overtones, with the Jesus statues and crosses shown everywhere.
In the beginning of the film I kept thinking how much it reminded me of Malibu's Most Wanted. It was an interesting take on Romeo and Juliet. It was obvious it was a more modern take on it. However, I'm not sure how successful it was at portraying the Romeo and Juliet story in a modern story line.
I think the modernization of the music was very well done in this film. The emotional feel of the movie was followed very well by the music, enhancing the emotions felt by the audience as they watched this movie. Prince's song "When Dove Cry" went along perfectly with the tragic mood of the movie.
The modern view was interesting. What Linz said about the corporations is interesting. It reminds me of corporations and gangs as well. It also reminds me though of the Mafia bosses that are looking out for their interests. And with race, there is the white Montague and Hispanic Capulet and a black police commissioner trying to restore order.
The Choir music did a good job at intensifying scenes of violence and chaos.
And the book, as in gang warfare today, shows how the innocent (Mercutio) are the ones who get caught in the crossfire.
I thought this was a great film but what troubled me the most was that Juliet didn't recite her lines "O happy dagger,/This is thy sheath! There rust, and let me die." For someone who's portrayed Romeo before, I see this as one of Juliet's most powerful lines. Whereas Romeo only took some poison, Juliet had to physically stab (or shoot) herself which takes a lot more guts in my opinion. But like August said, it was surprising and enjoyable the director didn't interchange some of the words like "sword" and "gold" to modern day items.
This is one of my favorite adaptations - in fact the first modern adaptation of a Shakespearean performance that I ever saw. McClellan's Richard III is another fav. Last week I noted the music used in Midsummer Night's Dream and again I must say that despite it being dated by almost 15 years, the choices for rap were brilliant and of course fit with the setting and culture. However,at least during this viewing, it became merely background noise for me - part of the chaos that the film builds to. However, I found the hairstyles were a bit much and sometimes distracting.
The Virgin Mary of Guadalupe engraving on Tybalt's gun is ironic, but also very much reflective of the Mexican (and Mexican-America) culture - one sees the same image on low rider cars, as full back tattoos, and embedded in much of the culture's art. Check out Cheech Marin's collection of art - or type in Virgin of Guadalupe into Google images,and you'll find this as a repeated theme.
Breathtaking. I felt such passion both good and evil throughout the entire film. The scene that did it for me was when Romeo and Juliet first see each other through the fish tank. I got chills. Not only was it great acting but it had great music in the film. I'm not going to lie when I say that when I got home I downloaded some songs from the movie :)
Reading everyones comments was very interesting! I have to agree completely with everyone! Linz definitely had me looking at the movie in some pretty different ways; for example the comparison with the corporations. It was a very entertaining and enjoyable movie! I love how the actual lines of the play were used instead of replaced by modern English! A++
I really enjoyed the modern update of this movie. For a play that's been done so many times and that most people know, I thought it was wonderful that they gave it such a new twist. It breathes new life into the story. I mean what better way to grab someone's attention than a cross dresser in a musical number?
The director wasn't portraying love as aggressive; there were some sweet, romantic scenes between Romeo and Juliet. The guns, bombs, and fighting were used to emphasize the violence and pain that the rivalry between these two families caused. It's this hatred that contrasts against the innocent love of these two star-crossed lovers.
i have a question. how does some of the costumes in this film represent each character. for example, mercutio as the cross-dresser? or Paris as the astronaut? or Lady Capulet as the Egyptian queen? Do those characters choice in costumes have any significance at all?
As far as the modernization of this film I thought it was very interesting and well done; however I would imagine that some people might only see this version in which case I don't believe it alone does justice to the work.
Overall I think that the modern remake of the movie spent to much time and effort trying to make the audience understand how important the feud between the two families were. Yes, it was the reason why the two lovers killed themselves.But it also made it hard to believe that they would kill themselves in order to not exist in a world where the other did because the movies focuses so much on the feud and not the love of Romeo and Juliet.
The movie was great and i liked how Baz matched the dialoge of Shakespeare to today's time with guns instead of swords. One thing i dont like about Romeo and Juliet is the fact of teenagers killing themselves over eachother. Lifes not worth one person if thinks dont work out. Its sad to see people kill themselves over love not working out. THere's more fish in the sea!
I agree with skennedy, that there is not enough focus on the love between the couple. I also think that the remake is well done, but the director should have also changed the dilect to that of current times. Instead of using old english, to use common terms and language.
I loved this film! Luhrmann brought Romeo and Juliet to a whole new level. It was exciting to watch and still kept that Shakespeare flare of romance. The only thing I didn't really understand was the reasoning of all the religous crosses and why he decided to dress Mercutio in drag for the first half of the movie. But in the end it's a great movie that I plan watching again in the future
In response to Julianne Conrad, I totally agree with you. There are more and more suicide rates nowadays not even for love but other things. And yet I do not favor the fact that even mature people would kill eachother like that. Though I love the story of Romeo and Juliet and believe that there could be such things as "love at first sight", I thought that it was unnecessary for Romeo and Juliet to die for eachother. Yet I totally understand that one wouldn't want to live if its loved one is dead. It's tragic but I believe that there is a better reason to live and that is to share the story of love rather than death.
I thought the use of water in various scenes was interesting. In many of the scenes where Romeo is talking about or thinking about love, water is somehow incorporated in it. The first time he sees Juliet or when they fall in the pool together. It's a very clever way of showing emotion throughout the film.
I also agree with Julianna....people can be way to dramatic. however i didn't really like this version of Romeo and Juliet, a little to weird for my taste. I would much rather watch a more classic version.
Some people don't necessarily like Shakespeare's original lines in modern day adaptations. But the dialog is what makes it Shakespeare, it would simply not be the same if Romeo was using modern day pick up lines.
I am amazed of how many ways Shakespeare’s films have been updated, adapted, and changed. The audio was a lot more active and energetic than I expected for even an updated Shakespeare movie. I noticed rapid channel movement which makes the camera bounce left to right. Also, a subwoofer sounded like it was used to add more bass which increased the drama and suspense. A mix of classical and modern music was used in this film which was kind of odd. I enjoyed that it used modern day language which was easy to understand and follow and made it more interesting to watch.
I think that it is also intresting that Lurhnman makes Romeo and Juliet so young looking compared to the rest of the cast. They stand out almost as children while in the scene with Romeo and Juliet in the bedroom you can see dolls and toys which is almost distrbing in ways. However, i think that this is Luhrmans play on their innocence, Romeo is also the only one who is not content with fighting and the one time that he does kill the "king of cats" it results in the death of both him and Juliet.
On another note i loved the use of princes "when doves cry" sung by the choir.
I think that this was the most interesting and unique adaptations of Shakespeare that I have ever seen. I do agree with Jennifer as far as this movie being a let down because it did not seem at all like something Shakespeare would associate his name with. The movie had action, and I agree with marlo as far as the brilliant choice of music, but at times I thought the scenes were elementary and ridiculous. The ending really killed it for me too because it is one of the most important scenes ever and the way the director cut out Juliet's entire monologue ruined it for me.
Although I do think this film was good for modern day and that it appeals to a younger generation, I felt that the editing of the film took away from its content and the original story. Flashing quickly from scene to scene throughout the city made it hard to concentration on the intense emotions and desires which define Romeo and Juliet. The helicopter scenes created a heightened sense of anxiety for the audience without letting them feel the real anxiety between the two families and the city as a whole. The modern soundtrack added some excitement to the film, but did nothing to remain true to the original intent of the film and the story it portrays.
I absolutely loved this creation on film. I thought Lurhman used great techniques such as the fast camera shots and angles which came out very well. This gave a great sense of action when there needed to be. Also, the sound track was very intense. I think this may have distracted the viewers a little bit from the Shakespearean ways, however, it made for a great movie.
When I first started watching the movie I thought it was a bit corny and it reminded me of the move Back to The Future. After tuning myself into the movie and literature I began to realize what a great way to put Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet in modern context. I knew little about the story of Romeo and Juliet and after watching the movie I have a full understanding of the story and what it represents. I also noticed many scenes with the Virgin Mary somewhere in the picture. She usually appeared during symbolic times of the movie which emphasized the importance of scene. I really like the use of this.
I somewhat agree with Jennifer in that I was disappointed by this film. While I like the idea of relocating Romeo and Juliet to modern day, I don't like the way parts of it were done. My biggest problem was Romeo taking drugs just before he meets Juliet. To me that takes the sincerity away from the love in their first meeting. It's hard enough to comprehend that they fell in love at first sight, and when you add drugs in it just gives the whole thing a synthetic feel. You can blame all their interactions on the fact that Romeo was not in his right state of mind. Also, I didn't think that Leonardo DiCaprio and Clair Danes had much in the way of chemistry.
I really enjoyed this modernized version of Romeo and Juliet. The way they took the old Shakespeare language and added it to a very modern setting made it much easier to understand, and also more enjoyabe. Even though the setting and time perioid seemed very different emotions between the characters remained the same. The love chemistry that Romeo and Juliet felt for each other was apparent in both the play and the movie. You could also feel how intense the feuding was between both familes whether you were watching or reading it. I enjoyed watching this movie again and I think it may always be my favorite Shakespeare writing.
Romeo and Juliet what a wonderful story to make into a 90's block buster. Come on it's all you need to have a good time out at the movies. Fighting, Sex, Deception and on top of that an awesome soundtrack. I think that this version is an excellent attempt to gain a larger audience for Shakespeare and open the door to new people who may being experiencing his genius for the first time.
This movie was a very interesting take on the very popular Shakespeare play. The film showed a very modernized setting compared to the usual Romeo and Juliet. I believe that by using this modern theme, it was easier to interpret what was being said in the film because the actions would relate more to the present day audience. An example of this would be when the Capulates and the Montagues are first introduced in the movie, they meet up at a gas station, and you can easily identify the tension between the two families based on just their appearance. Each family looked similar to a modern day gang with their specific clothes, cars, and even hairstyles. Overall, I thought that this representation of the play, Romeo and Juliet, was very effective in getting the overall storyline out to those of us that are not very Shakespeare-inclined.
I thought that this take on Romeo and Juliet was very modern, but I thought that made the play very interesting and the audience was able to connect more with it since it was in modern imes. I felt that there were some times during the film that were over played and a little too dramatic, but overall it was interesting and i liked it alot.
I liked how Mercutio was stabbed by glass instead of killed by a bullet. I found that to be a nice touch by Baz. Also how did Baz land the directing spot for this picture. He directed one film before this; strictly ballroom. That was a good movie, but this film seemed liked a big picture especially with it being his second and this cast and story. But hey Baz delivered.
I thought the way that Mercutio was portrayed in the film hurt my perception of it quite a bit. I just couldn't take him seriously after watching him run around in a dress for 30 minutes. That being said, the actor playing him was great, and his death scene, especially when he said they have made worms meat of me, was really effective and moving. I just wish they would have left the dress in the wardrobe closet.
Out of all the Shakespeare films I have seen over the years this is by far my favorite play that has been adapted and changed to fit today's modern audience. I love how Luhrmann gives it brings the play to the suburbs and still manages to keep the original dialogue. What I enjoyed most was how the interaction between the two rival families the Capulates and the Montagues. This reminded me of real gang interactions and how a horrific tragedy can either bring enemies together or create even more hatred towards one another.
I too like how the film adapts to modern life and resides in the suburbs with a city feel to it. The fact that they keep the dialouge and the poetry consistant with minor changes with the times is a masterpiece in itself. To the comment a couple ahead of this one about Mercutio, i believe that the sense that he came as a cross dressing constumist was the icing on the cake to a new world with new views. Much like it is accepted today, cross dressing was used in the plays in those times as well, with the men who played women in all theatrical plays at that time.
First off this movie was amazing. It really gets you to see a great Shakespheare play in such a modern light. I agree with everyone's comments of how this film ios so modern. But with how modern this play is it really lets you understand it. With the youthfull actors it really takes a liking with the audience.
I agree with aj58soad that Mercutio was hard to take seriously in the movie just by the way he acted and the persona he was portrayed as. From reading the plays he seemed to me a much different character than I observed in the film. Yet everyone around him still acts like nothing has changed and that his behavior is normal and to be taken very seriously. I felt like the whole time he was like Chris Tucker in The Fifth Element, which everyone can always use less of.
I thought the use of the news reporter for the chorus was effective and flowed really well with the style of the movie.
I have seen this version of Romeo and Juliet before and it is my favorite. I really enjoy the way that is has been modernized and I believe that Baz Luhrmans version although it is modernized, does not take away from the original play. He has done a good job of keeping the story line of the film similar to match with that of the original play. He did a good job of finding modern things, objects, words to match with the original.
Although this is not my favorite version of Romeo and Juliet, I did enjoy the director's ability to portray this classical romance into a modern day setting. The guns brought a more "gangster" vibe while the setting in Verona Beach made it seem more like Venice Beach.
I thought this movie was excellent. The mixture of the modern theme with the original Shakespearean language was done to perfection, and I felt it really helped to appreciate the film. I also thought the acting was fantastic. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, I felt, captured Romeo and Juliet perfectly. Claire Danes magnificently showed the love and innocence that Juliet possessed so intensely. And Leonardo DiCaprio truly expressed the passion that Romeo had. Overall, I loved this movie.
I thought this movie was easier to understand compared to other Shakespeare films, but please take Claire Danes out!!! Romeo and Juliet has this aura about the profound love story, and she ruins the romantic idea! She has no emotion and it makes the ending scene--which is supposed to be horrific and gut-wenching-- just a boring scene. However, I enjoyed the violence because it added to the the tension the viewer gets of Romeo and Juliet being together. Sorry for those who really enjoyed it; I guess I'm just a hopeless romantic :)
I would agree that the movie is easier to understand readings. But, i do think that the movie might have ruined the name for the incredible love story of romeo and juliet. It is suppose to be something special, and the connections with the characters should be something passionate and real. I thought the director did a good job casting the roles although i do think there could have been a bit more chemistery between romeo and juliet themselves.
Who doesn't love the story of Romeo and Juliet? But, I didn't like the whole modernized theme of it all. It just doesn't make sense to me. To me, no other rendition of Romeo and Juliet can beat the 1968 version. Who can top can top a beauty like Olivia Hussey? Definitely not Claire Danes.
Romeo and Juliet stands to be one of my favorite Shakespeare tragedies, and I love the direction that director Baz Luhrmann took in making this film. I find the modernization of the play makes it more entertaining and interesting. Not too mention, it makes the play easier for younger audiences to understand. It was said before that Mercutio's character was made ridiculous, but I thought he was one of the best characters. While he may have been crazy and the life of the party, that's how he normally acts in the show! Of course there are some differences, such as at Juliet's party he takes psychedelic drugs, but for the most part I found that Mercutio was portrayed very well
Romeo was Leonardo Dicaprio, who at the time was the heart throb in Hollywood. He does a good job with intertwining the “Shakespeare lingo” even though the atmosphere of the movie didn’t quite match what it was originally intended to be. Because of this modernization of the movie they use things such as cars and guns, which during Shakespeare’s time were not even around during then. For example, in the movie Juliet kills her self with a hand gun instead of using a dagger. There is instrumental music that accompanies Romeo when he is contently sitting down enjoying a cigarette and then the music intensifies as the scene because more involved.
In the film Romeo and Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes the director took a totally different approach to the film to attract new viewers to Shakespeare. He used modern ideas and props in order to tell the story of Romeo and Juliet as if it took place in the nineties. One of the things that stuck out the most about the director’s changes was how he changed the swords to guns so when ever they were in a fight they would shoot their guns at each other instead sword fighting so it looked more modern
All I have to say is fantastic! Out of all the many times I have watched or read about Romeo and Juliet, this film is a very fresh and updated version that was easy to enjoy. Another great quality about this film was the combination between the original Shakespeare language and the modern language. The director also did a great job dealing with the transformation from old age weapons to modern weapons used in the various battle scenes. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who is looking to really appreciate not only a good Shakespearian movie, but a wonderful film in general.
This movie makes me get the chills and butterflies when I watch it. The way Luhrmann modernized an classic, staple piece of literature. He was able to convey the love that Romeo and Juliet felt for each other, and the implosion of their lives as they knew it. He did a great job with the set- having it in a city setting full of the most vibrant colors. And using guns that said dagger and sword? Brilliant.
This was definitely my favorite movie that I have watched in this class. It is a true love story. Out of all Shakespears plays, this is the one I can understand and relate with the most. A lot of the movies are hard to understand and I feel they are very outdated. It is hard to take interest in a movie where you are confused or bored. I really enjoyed this version of Romeo and Juliet!
In this film the director Baz Luhrmann alters many material objects, from Shakespeare’s play to 21st century material. The first object that I had notice was how they used guns instead of swords but still referred to them as swords. At the end of the film Juliet shoots herself instead of stabbing herself, which gives the film more of a 21st century fell. Baz Luhrmann also featured normal dollar bills but still referred to it as gold. By doing this the director keep with Shakespeare’s language but modernized it by using material objects that we are used to now days. The director also brought more of a religious sense to film by using religious objects like crosses. The director wanted to give the film a more modern feature by using the television, showing the viewers that it is a technically advanced period. Another way he modernized the film was portraying the feuding families more like gangs rather than a family.
I have always loved this version of Romeo and Juliet. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes do a fantastic acting job and the somewhat confusing words become simplified by these two actors. The whole movie was taken from the 1800's and brought into modern times with guns and modified endings. I really enjoyed watching this movie.
I loved how modern this version of the play was. I've watched it, and even had to renact the scenes in high school, and none of that really compares to this film. The irony of the whole plot is crazy twisted, and is sad at the ending. The religious sense brought into the film was to display the difference in families that kept romeo and juliet apart in the actual play.
This film is a really cool modern take on a classic story. Lurhman makes it a modern tale, but the setting is also sort of magical. A place where everyone carries a gun and breaking out in song is not uncommon. It does justice to how shakespeare likes to use magic in a lot of his plays. Lurhman also had a huge task in taking sword fights and changing them to gun fights, and he did a great job making it work while also being gritty and raw with it. Great film.
I like how this film was modernized in order to catch the eye of the a younger audience. The director did a great selection of music choice and younger actors as well to also draw the younger crowd in more. What was also great was that the director did not take away from the play its self it was still Romeo and Juliet no added scenes or anything changed.
I like how Lurhmann used a modern setting in the film. It made the story easier to follow and it was easier to idenfiy with the characters. I also like hiw Lurhmann used a news caster to introduce the prolouge it was perfect for the modern setting.
This was by far my favorite film that we watched. I love the modern setting of the film, but still entwined itself around keeping Shakespeare's writing alive in the film. I think the music played a big role in the movie, the way it transitioned was remarkable.
I love this film and how modernized it is. I enjoyed how the created the film to be more accurate for a fresher generation of viewers but still kept the underlining of the traditional shakespeare story of romeo and juliet. I found it interesting how the T.V. was used to originally draw the viewers in, to show us that the T.V. is the new stage setting. I also found it amusing to see how the Capulets and the Montagues were portrayed as two gangs to fit the more modernized era and how their swords were actual guns which was still called a sword. I really liked this movie and enjoyed how seamlessly the director combined the traditional with the new.
this film was amazing! How he reinvented it to be in modern times was simply genius! I love how he changed swords to pistols and it was still able to work. However, because it had to be said word by word almost, like the play it made the film a bit corny at times.
This was my favorite movie that we have watched all semester. Dicaprio and Daines worked very well together as on onscreen couple, which made the film that much better. I really liked how the director transformed one of Shakespeare's most famous plays into a modern day film. None of Shakespeare's playwrites have been turned into a film like this.
Bentorii The movie was kinda weird in the being and i didn't like it, but it got better and i didn't fall asleep in class.
I really enjoy this movie. I've seen it about 5 other times and it was just as good this time as it was the first. I really like Mercutio's character, I see him as the care free party boy with loyalty to Romeo, who at times almost eggs on trouble. Not to mention Juliet is hottt! I think Baz Luhrmann did a great job with the ending where Romeo is in the tomb with his "dead" Juliet and it shows her fingers starting to twitch as she slowly wakes up from her sleep and Romeo drinks the poison right as she opens her eyes. Every time I watch that I want to yell at him to tell him not to do it, "Look at her a little more closely!" Gah! It's almost frustrating and not the kind of ending you'd expect from a love story, but maybe that's why it's so amazing. It's details like these that would never be visible in a theater.
I really enjoyed what Baz Luhrmann did with this film. Yes I do agree with what Bentorii said about it being weird but that’s what I liked about it. It was a totally different take on the classic play write by William Shakespeare and that’s what made me really get into the storyline and understand what was going on better.
This movie really tries to connect the audience with shakespeare through modern tactics. This version of Romeo and Juliet will be better embraced by this generation, without out-dated concepts and scenes that normally wouldn't make sense to some. The animosity between Capulets and Montagues was sustained well, even though the film was changed so drastically.
Romeo and Juliet
I think every girl can honestly say that they love the romance that takes place in this movie. One good thing about this film was the way it was modernized. I liked how the director combined the language of the play and having the setting more modern. My favorite scene in the movie was the scene where both of them see each other through the fish tank. It made me think about my boyfriend, and how badly I wanted to see him.
The way that Baz Luhrmann modernized this movie was interesting and I really enjoyed it. It is my favorite version of Romeo and Juliet. This also helps to attract the attention of a much bigger audience, most likely being a younger group. I also loved how by doing this he only changed the costume and setting while keeping the language style the same. It made it much more entertaining.
When the movie first started it seemed like the setting and acting was designed to make light of the story, not something you would expect at the beggining of so well known a romance. But as the story went on it seemed almost like the tackiness of the surroundings let the relationship of Romeo and Juliet show more vividly for its contrast. What sticks in my mind is the scene where Romeo goes to Juliets tomb in the church and the room is lit by neon crosses! In any other movie the hilarity of that would ruin the scene but for some reason it seemed almost appropriate, that all the world would look cheap in comparision to the purity of love.
I was very surprised when the movie first began at how modern it was done. What i found strange was the Elizabethan dialogue remained the same even though it was a very modern atmosphere. I liked the choice of actors, although i do feel that it is better left less modernized.
I thought it was brilliant. The whole modernity mixed with actual Shakespeare. To make it enjoyable and comprehendable. I liked the whole Venice/Verona Beach thing, as well as the two foes, big corporate enemies who are from two different cultures. I loved it. Priceless.
Oh I also really like that Mercutio was flambouyantly gay. He was hilarious and his jokes were fairly secretive but if you understand him it was absolutely great. I think Luhrmann did a great job portraying Romeo's noble friend Mercutio. He not only was an excellent actor, but the way Luhrmann changed him was near perfect.
OK so I have seen this movie plenty of times when I was younger and around the time it came out but when I watched it this past week I realized something.Before the Capulet party Mercutio gives Romeo an MDMA pill, which explains the first scene at the party. Cannot believe that I never had any idea. Also Mercutio was my favorite character. I however did not like how they did the suicide scene. Having Juliet wake up the split second Romeo drinks the poison is a little too perfect. I guess they just did it for dramatic effect.
In respnse to what Mer said I'm not sure if Mercutio was supposed to be out and out gay but he certainly seemed to have some weird dependence on Romeo. The scene when Juliet's maid comes to meet with Romeo and because he can't get Romeo's attention he fires his gun in the air seems a little unbalanced. The way Romeo constantly has to calm him down makes it seem almost inevitable that he would get into some deadly conflict with the Capulets. In response to what Amandurz said about the suicide scene, I had been wondering about that myself but doesn't the written version where everyone dies right before someone wakes up or walks into the room seem more convenent then Juliet coming out of it as Romeo is taking the poison. The fact that Paris and the Priest never turn up is what bothers me. Wouldn't you think that one of those two would make an appearance, if only behind police barracks?
I really enjoy this adaptation from play to film. It truly makes watching Romeo and Juliet enjoyable for me. But, there are a few things that did bother me. I agree with Amandurz and ChemGirl....the suicide scene just wasn't right. I really feel like Juliet shouldn't have woken up right as Romeo was dying. Also, Paris and the priest really should have had a part in it. The director changed the last scene too much, and that is one of the most important scenes in the play/film.
As a fan of the only other two Baz Luhrmann films, naturally I would love this adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. I have seen the movie numerous times and even own the soundtrack. I liked the casting in this movie, and even though Claire Danes was 17 and had a brief nude scene, I thought her portrayal as Juliet was magnificent. I adored Harold Perrineau's representation of the flamboyant Mercutio. Like CSIfan, ChemGerl and Amandurz, I also thought the suicide scene was wrong. Though it was heartbreaking to see Leo dying as Claire was slowly twitching her finger, but not how Shakespeare wrote it.
I have to agree with CSIfan, the priest should have been involved in the suicides. Though I have to say that I liked the suicide scene because it let them talk to each other one more time and they got to see each other one more time. Though I did think that the ending could be a little awkward and over dramatic.
Absolutely, without a doubt my favorite interpretation of a Shakespearian play. As has been mentioned quite a bit already, the modernization was seamless in my opinion. I loved how the director integrated Shakespeare's actual lines within a modern time. The cars, guns, city skyline, I believe, made it more relatedable than simply words on a page. As it is, when reading Shakespeare it can take quite alot of time and thought to figure out what he is trying to say. Having it in film helps a great deal, especially when the film is set in modern time. From casting to camera angles to color saturation, I thought this was a wonderful film.
I must be among the rare few that actually don't like this modernized version. I think it was awkward and overplayed; especially the beginning at the gas station. It also made it quite obvious how childish Romeo acted, jumping from X to Juliet so quickly, claiming Juliet to be the love of his life, despite only knowing her for a ridiculously short amount of time.
I agree with CSIfan and the others that mentioned the major changes in the suicide scene. The setting was ridiculous, as well as all that was cut out. I feel it wasn't as dramatic as it could have been, as Shakespeare had written it.
i really like this movie
I do not feel this movie was a let down. The story is supposed to be about to people who fall madly in love but are torn away from each other because of the war the family had with each other. The action and drama in the movie helps add to the passion. It lets the viewer see how intense the fight is and how hard it is for Romeo and Juliet to be together yet they dont let it stop them. They let their love take control and in the end die for it.
i found this movie to be a great interpretation of the shakespearean play. the added violence and gang like mentality showed the true love Romeo and Juliet had for each other, even though there was such conflict between the families. i really liked this modern twist on Romeo and Juliet
I thought that this was a cool modernization of the film and kept me interested but I thought it might have been a little too intense.
I thought this movie was very entertaining and actually enjoyed it very much. The way Baz Luhrmann expresses Shakespeare's thoughts and ideas for the romantic story of Romeo and Juliet was very creative. The modern spin added a great way to get more of the viewers interested in the old-style of writing.
I loved this movie! In fact I loved it so much I came home and made my roommates rent it and watch it with me a few days later! Anyways, I have to agree with many of you EMM I loved the whole gang, mafia feel for the movie. We all know how gangs despise eachother and to see the two othersides hate and kill eachother yet still spart a love, I just thought it was the perfect way to portray Romeo and Juliet in a Modernized way!!
- SCC
I really liked the modern remake of Romeo and Juliet. I felt that by using modern day setting with old English made me better able to relate to the story. What was up with mercrutio being a cross dresser in the movie? I thought the scene where Romeo took ecstasy was very entertaining. I thought it was very cleaver how the director displayed the warring families as enemy corporations.
At first I was really thrown off byt the first scene. The feel of the movie was very vibrant and fresh. It was definitely a new take on the classic play. It took me a while to warm up to the movie but then I was able to adapt and actually appreciate the view point that the director was coming from. But I did come to enjoy it. Half the time I felt as if I was on drugs watching the film. A very trippy vibe. It also took me a while to warm up to the idea that Leonardo took the lead role as Romeo. I didnt feel as if he was the correct fit at first but then again as the movie progressed I was able to appreciate his acting. Overall I truly enjoyed the movie and definitely recommend others to watch the flick.
I felt that the movie tainted the story of Romeo and Juliet. The movie made it out to be a corny love story. More emphasis I believe was put on the comedy aspect of the story when there should have been a more serious feel throughout the movie. I found the movie to be not very representable of Shakespeare's works.
I think that the sillyness and maybe "cornyness" of the movie brings some reality to the story. STJ says that this does not represent Shakespeare's work and maybe to a point that's true but one must remember the original of this love story has Juliet as about 13. Now it's true that in earlier times people had to mature quickly but intelligence says that they were just children and what might seem serious to them would seem childish and silly to others. I think that this must be taken into account when comparing the original with this modern movie version.
This movie was not what I had expected. This was the first time I had seen this version of Romeo and Juliet. The movie was very modernized yet, the language seemed to be exactly the same. Instead of swords, they used guns. The mood was very different, it was upbeat and vibrant. I really enjoyed this version of Romeo and Juliet although, I believe the movie portrayed a much more violent, mob feel.
to jennifer-
i used to think the film was a let down too, i thought all of the violence loud music and jarring images were too much. i thought they took away from the story. but if you think about it the only calm scenes, that are not over the top and rediculous are those between the lovers which resulted in making their love seem sincere because it is simple and unpretencious.
someone in the discussion said they thought tybalt and mercucio stole the show. i happen to find them the most annoying characters ever. they represent to me the reason romeo and juliet couldnt be together. they are trapped by their hatred and unable to do anything but glory in themselves and abhore the other. both characters were portrayed as rediculous exagerated steriotypes that didnt entirely make sense. in all honesty they seemed just a little bit crazy. i found nothing redeming about those two characters.
Personally I actually loved this movie. The way it was fit to watch for modern audiences but stll kept true to the original story truly impressed me. It was a way of bringing archaic and modern together. I saw another ROmeo and Juliet movie back in highscool, and this one was definitely my favorite of the two. From the opening to close, i love how they used comedy and modern references to enhance the story such as the guns being designatd "swords".
I found this modern version of romeo and juliet quiet wonderful. THe modern romance had such a old soul to it that it almost luered me into watching it even though i already knew the outcome of the film. THe way leonardo spoke with such understandment of the words and feelings as well as juliet having a such poise and esscence.
Hilary Ingram said...
I think that this movie was really good! With it being so modern it just made the whole thing a lot more interesting to watch. I think that it was interesting how they made Juliet's family to appear to be smarter and higher than Romeo's family. The actors did a really good job at speaking the lines and showing their emotions through their actions and facial expressions.
I enjoyed this more modern version of Romeo and Juliet, but I prefer Franco Zeffirelli's version much better. I got kind of tiresome while watching the more modern version even though Luhrmann used many great techniques which made it easier for newer audience to understand.
haratyk said...
I loved this film. I agree with many of the other posts that the modern version was much easier for the audience to relate to. This creates a new way of connecting a younger audience and helping them understand the true meaning of Shakespeare’s words. By using the opposite colors for the two feuding families, blue and red, it creates a link for the audience to real life examples of feuding gangs. This was a very creative way to show the audience the true hatred these families had toward each other.
Jsosine
This film was awesome and really first got me excited about Shakespeare. I feel like it helped me connect to the film and the story more than other versions of Romeo and Juliet.
I love this story, love the actors, and did not love the way it was modernized. The setting made me feel that the dialect seemed awkward and the use of guns and such ruined the romantic aspect for me. Yes i loved Leonardo, but this wasn't my favorite interpretation of Romeo and Juliet.
This adaptation of Romeo and Juliet ruined the story. Perhaps it was a little more entertaining then watching people act it out but the modernization was so rediculous i lost almost all interest. To me it lost the essence of Shakespeare and the emotion he was trying to place in it.
I really enjoyed this film. It was fun watching the characters in the semi-modern day. I especially liked how they used guns that were called swords. I thought it was just kinda funny! All in all I liked the movie!
This is my favorite film based on a Shakepeare play. The interpretation was absolutely phenomenal. It connected todays youth to the classic play. I found myself engaged the entire time, and able to understand everything about the play better because of it.
cillab said...
"I think that it is also intresting that Lurhnman makes Romeo and Juliet so young looking compared to the rest of the cast. They stand out almost as children while in the scene with Romeo and Juliet in the bedroom you can see dolls and toys which is almost distrbing in ways. However, i think that this is Luhrmans play on their innocence, Romeo is also the only one who is not content with fighting and the one time that he does kill the "king of cats" it results in the death of both him and Juliet."
umm are you retarded?
juliet was 14 of course shes going to have dolls in her room; and were never told romeos actual age but we can assume he is around 17. also the only reason romeo did not wish to fight was becaus tybalt was now related to him, he would of said something but he and juliet had not yet consumated and he didnt want to risk them being broken up. i would get you some quotes but i dont have the play or the movie on hand. sorry.
and can someone please tell me why paris was not killed in this movie??
I have seen this version of the play many times, but I absolutely love it. I love the modern twist in the setting. Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio are the perfect Romeo and Juliet. The music chosen for the film really helped. When they first see each other through the glass of the fish tank and the music plays; it is too beautiful.
For the first twenty minutes of watching the movie, it seemed to be more of a satire than anything. As the movie went on, I could begin to feel the seriousness between the characters growing. Maybe the movie just wasn't my kind of style, but I didn't enjoy it that much. I feel like Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio were too perfect for the part, making the movie feel way too mushy gushy.
Personally, I LOVE this version of Romeo and Juliet. The way Baz Luhrmann captures the everlasting love between the two star crossed lovers is absolutely captivating. His use of music adds more dramatic event to the already tragic story. Although some scenes were cut out, like Paris's death, it didn't take anything away from what Luhrmann was trying to achieve, which was the story of their love.
I don't think that this adaptation ruined the story at all. I think that the modern take helped keep a younger audience entertained and it gave more of an rough edge that made it seem more believeable for our generation. I liked the mafia-like drama and the fact that is was more of a rivarly between two huge powerful corporations rather than just a smaller cast. Both families in this movie are very protective of their own kin and they are willing to anything, even kill, for their family name. :)
I did not like the 1980s take on the Romeo and Juliet tale. I thought it was kind of corny. Using the guns instead of the real weapons but putting the name of the ancient weapon like "dagger" on the side of a hand gun was pretty creative and funny. However, I did not like the modern take on the movie. I think I would have been better if it was not set in the 80s with ridiculous clothing and unrealistic scenes.
I LOOOOVVVVVEEEEE ROMEO n JULIET. I feel like without this play the world would be alot different. Because everyone knows the story of Romeo juliet thtas what you hear when your a little kid and thats what were to tell our kids in the future. This movie is intense and i couldnt believe what happens in the end it's a totally shock and i couldnt believ thats the ending it was a totally surprised. I wish the end was a happlier ever after movie but oh well i feel like it was more symbolic!
I thought this version of the play Romeo and Juliet was every interesting. I thought it was more relatable to the general audience, and in my case kept me interested. Sometimes shakespeare plays can be a little boring to me, but this action packed version of the play was very good and I think it's the best movie we have watched in the class so far.
In response to ChemGirl, I think you make a good point, ya while some might say it is corny, that fact that Shakespeare has portrayed Juliet as a 13 year old girl does in fact show that she can be immature. So her quick feelings of love and being head over heals, sounds like any 7th grade, junior high girl to me, who is expirencing her first real crush. They might say it is love, but we all know its not.
- SCC
Romeo and Juliet is an all time great story... This version did the story justice and kept everyone entertained with its innuendoes and humorous notes. From the selections of the characters to the camera angles this movie was excellent and such a good one to watch.
Rachael Draper said..
I do think it is interesting that she is meant to be such a young girl. but i would point out that 13 year olds back then were much different from today. her own parents were already setting her up for marriage. i would argue that she would have to mature faster than people our day and so she shouldnt be considered a silly jr. high school student. she feels as much as is expected of her. if you are expected to be a wife, then you have to have some understanding, so her feelings have some genuine qualities. i just mean that her reality would have been different, therefore she would have been raised to be ready at that age.
This was personally my favorite version of Romeo and Juliet. I loved the originals as well but I loved how this one was modern and it helped me and I'm sure a lot of others have a better understanding of Romeo and Juliet and its more hidden themes. The first time I saw the film I was a little shocked on how odd it was especially the way they portrayed a few of the characters. For example, the beginning scene at the gas station.
Romeo is a hopeless romantic and when he meets Juliet his heart was broken and he wasn't expecting to find love. Juliet is having her future mapped out for her by her parents and Romeo and Juliet when they meet they both needed an escape. That is why I think their bond is so strong because of the events leading up to when they met.
to start off this play is a very good play and i found this film to be par or alittle below par..to me nothing is as good as the orinigal but this movie was very entertaining and i could see why many girls love this film because of leo's role of romeo. The music was good and it added to the film overall it was a good twist on R & J
This is one of my favorite movies! Leonardo and Clare are absolutely stunning, I could not picture two people doing a better job at their roles. The directing is awesome, I love the modern twist, the soundtrack, and the scene where they first meet through the aquarium glass. the ending is awesome too! flawless
I really enjoyed watching this movie. I think it is one of Shakespeares best plays, and the way they did this movie was incredible. I loved how modern they made the film, which made it much more intersting to watch. The ways they changed little things and made them modern was very creative and intersting.
I have to somewhat disagree with MHkid15. Yes Leonardo was a nice touch to this version of Romeo and Juliet, but I think the reason I enjoyed this version so much, was due to its modern aspect. For instance the guns as swords and the symbolism of mafias, were all elements I enjoyed.
-SCC
I also disagree with MHkid15. Leonardo has the charm and the reputation of the dreamy young man from his role in Titanic but he is completely different as Romeo. Romeo is the guy that every girl who watches the film or play falls in love with. Every girl wants the love of Romeo and Juliet, doesn't matter who the actors and actresses are. Also the drama Romeo and Juliet experience at such a young age is very different than most young teenagers love lives. As mentioned before it was common during that time for arranged marriages and for girls to get married during their teenage years but this version of Romeo and Juliet was more modern so they could have made the age of Romeo and Juliet a little bit older, maybe 20? I think the point of true young love at first sight should be maintained in all Romeo and Juliet versions but 13 is a little young.
I had mixed feelings about the twist of the time and place of the story. I liked the news on the TV doing the prologue and conclusion, i think it was a good way of including parts from the play. i also liked how "swords" were guns and it brought kind of a gang feeling towards the movie to make the rivalry of the two families be more relatable. Also i have seen this version before but never realized that Romeo and his friends take drugs before going to the ball where Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. Taking drugs might also be an attempt to relate the characters to modern day but i don't like thinking drugs were involved during the love at first sight :/
I have to say the last scene wasn't what it could be and was kind of a let down compared to the play.
I love this movie. I think its one of the few films that captures a young audience's attention, all while still being Shakespeare. Luhrmann did a good job of making such a timeless tale relevant to modern day.
i thought mertuctios character was very powerful, the actor who played him did a good job in protraying the pain he felt, and the anger at how the battle between the two houses had brought about his untimely death. I also love the modern music they use in the film. Also even though they used Shakespeare's original text, it wasn't hard to understand what they were saying, because of how expressive the actors were.
I loved this movie. it was very realistic and easy to relate. the movie was not just about two stupid teenage kids falling in love, it was about gangs, family and death. But it still ended in a bitter sweet way.
i loved this movie, the actors did an amazing job making their love believable and the gangs believable as well
One of the best love stories ever written needed a film like this for a new age of people to appeal to. That’s exactly what this rendition of Romeo and Juliet did. It would appear that making such an old story new again would be hard but that does not seem the case. In 1996 when this movie was made, the United States saw a lot of chaos from gangs especially in Los Angeles. The riots of 1992 was an accumulation of tension in Los Angeles which showed scenes of looting, fires, murders and overall destruction. This movie played on this with the two families Montagues and the Capulets who hated each other and were willing to kill for any reason. But how to update the story so people of the day can understand and enjoy the movie? With guns of course. The movie uses guns to more connect the old story to new ways of life that we see. The use of guns was written into the story’s to amp up the story. Overall fantastic movie, and one of my favorites.
This movie is a great contemporary adaptation of the original/standard Romeo and Juliet. This has to be one of the best Shakespeare movies up to date. This movie is very entertaining from start to finish.
This movie was in such a different setting and had such different visuals than compared to the play but I thought it worked well and made it a more interesting adaptation.
This movie is a very good modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. I really like how Baz Luhrmann directs his films with the sharp movements and musical influences.
I love the modern twist on Shakespeare's play and I also am happy that they stayed with the old text without adding today's slang or language. I really enjoyed how they portrayed the two family as powerful families but more in a mafia gang sort of way. I felt that the play showed Romeo and Juliet's characters as more tortured but still really good performances. I thought that the really discreet modern twists added a lot to the play like the names of the guns matching sword types, etc. I thought it was interesting the way that Romeo falls in love with Juliet when he has already taken ecstasy and she is sober, and the intense connection he felt for he could have been drug related, but again, I really enjoyed the modern twist.
I think Luhrmann took the "modern twist" a little too seriously when adapting the play to film. Romeo and Juliet is a love story, I thought adding gang fighting and cheesy screen shots/costumes took away from the classic tale. Although, I did find the film somewhat entertaining and relatable, it just wasn't what I expected.
I really liked this version of Romeo and Juliet because the director made a pretty solid attempt to make it more appealing to viewers not extremely familiar with shakespearean culture (like me).
This was my favorite film of all the films we have watched so far in the class. I really liked how they made such an old school story into a very modern day depiction. The film really grabbed me in the opening scene with that big gun battle at the gas station. I really liked all of the cars and the guns and i thought the actors did an excellent job throughout the entire film.
CH said...
I LOVED this movie because it was very good. This movie made me want to watch it instead of having to because of class. I would watch this movie outside of class because i loved it so much. It was very romantic and beautiful. it grabbed me and made me want to watch. I agree with other comments on the film. It kept me on my feet the hole time.
This movie is the bane of my existence. I have been forced to watch this movie about 12 times. my sisters are Leo frieks. I liked the movie the first time I saw it. I hike how the weapons are guns that say "dagger" on them. I like the modernness of the film. The story was much more stimulating in a modern setting.
This is my favorite movie of a Shakespeare play. I liked how the director modernized the setting and the characters. It definitely made it appeal to a younger generation than the other Romeo and Juliet movies do. The action scenes were more intense and the music that was used was more enjoyable.
I had always wanted to watch this movie, but never took the time to and was excited when we were going to watch it in class. There was never a dull moment in this version of the play, and even though they used Shakespeare's original dialogue, the actors did a great job of expressing every emotion, that it was never hard to understand what was going on unlike some plays I have seen. We all know the ending to this play, but the scenes leading up to it were worth watching it.
JSOSINE2
This movie was very entertaining and was one of the best films if not the best of this class
The most apparent difference between Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the 1996 version directed by Baz Luhrmann was the theme of the movie. In the play the setting would have been in thirteenth century Verona and Mantua, Italy, but the movie is set in a modern day version of Verona Beach. Having the setting in a modern day allowed for the characters to tote guns instead of swords, the characters also used cars to get from place to place. Having this story modified did not have a big change on the content that was in the story only on its external shell. Using a modernized look helps viewers to enjoy the film and makes it feel like an everyday film instead of a 13th century play.
This film being a rendition of Shakespeare's epic tail of lovers Romeo And Juliet, had me coming into the showing with little expectation for a action packed tear jerking thrill ride of a film. After watching the film i was blown away by how seamlessly Luhrmann was able to modernize such a play. We have all seen other renditions of Shakespeare plays that have been modernized to a point but this is by far the most well made and well situated into the happenings of today.
Another great movie! Great acting, very well put together. I was excited to see this movie before class started and was not disappointed. Luhrmann made this movie very well, normally I get confused and lost with how Shakespeare write, but the scene and acting made the movie extremely easy to follow. Great movie!!
Although I loved this film as everyone else seemed to, I couldnt help but leave class with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth after the final scene. It really bothered me how it seemed like she watched him kill himself more in this movie then in other renditions I have seen or read. I think is a rather small part to dwell on, however it rubbed me the wrong way, and it was also at such a critical point during the movie. Although this bothered me I still loved this movie and would recommend it to anyone, a Shakespeare fan or not.
I loved the Romeo and Juliet film. I like how Luthrmann, made the film more modern but also still was able to incorperate Shakespeares outline of the play. I love the classic scenes like Juliet on her balcony. I got to say though after people start to die, the film gets very deep and dark. I still enjoyed the movie very much!
I agree with Eric when he said how strange it is that Juliet pretty much watched Romeo drink the poison and kill herself. Throughout that entire scene, the camera shows Juliet moving and slowly waking up but yet Romeo never seems to see or feel her moving. I also agree with everyone about how great the movie was. I think the modern elements such as using guns instead of swords gave the movie a modern twist that intrigued the audience and possibly made it easier to follow and understand. By far my favorite Shakespeare movie!
This version of Romeo and Juliet is very interesting to me because of an obvious change to the movie, the time period. By changing the time period the director made it easier for today's audience to connect with the traditional love story of Romeo and Juliet. It was intriguing to find out the differences from the play to the movie. How the prince was portrayed as a cop was interesting. Even how the play was narrated through a news reporter and a tv was a good way to make the play more relevant to todays times. Although at moments the film was a little too dramatic for me, like when they were introducing the characters in the beginning. Overall a very different and well played film.
THIS WAS MY FAVOURITE SHAKESPEAR MOVIE, i really enjoy watching the way the director changed all the terms, weapons and events in to a modern day setting in really made me think about shakespeare in a different way it was exciting and funny that they were speaking in old english but acting in a modern way. JR
I have always loved this film. The creativity and vision that Luhrmann expressed in making this film was amazing. In terms of the ending, I tend to disagree with one of the previous posts. I think that the way in which Juliet is merely a second too late to Romeo's suicide makes the ending that much more powerful. The fact that she is able to look into his eyes after he has consumed the poison is heart wrenching, and makes one wonder, what if? What if Juliet had awoken a second sooner? What if Romeo had waited a moment longer to drink the poison?
I also agree that the director did a great job changing the time period of this play, and making it more relevant to younger viewers. I think his choice in actors had a huge impact on the outcome of this film. The technique he used to film was also different, which gave the film a modern feel, unlike any other Shakespeare film we have seen. Overall I though this film was very enjoyable to watch.
This film is such a good representation of how you can keep the story change the scenery and be able to grasp the plot so much better. Before seeing this version of romeo and juliet i never really got the rivalry between the capulets and montagues but now that it is in a more modern time i was able to see that it is simliar to a gang rivalry. The replacement of swords with guns also made it more interesting because in todays day it is more common to see gangs with guns than with swords.
i really enjoyed this version of romeo and juliet because of its much more modern setting. it gave me something more to be able to relate with in the play. The acting in the play was very well done and even though the setting was much different it still kept the plays integrity
I loved the way this film was adapted to fit modern times. Although it kept true to the original story's roots it was made in a way that could relate to current times.
I enjoyed Romeo and Juilet because it expresses real life hardships with relationships. Romeo's friends give him a hard time for being such a love sap, Juilet's father disaprove's of the one she wants, they are young and in love. These are situations that many people can compare to their own lives. Plus, it's always nice to watch Leonardo DeCaprio.
During the film I notice a few appealing things. I liked how the directer added the use of Pistals and never mentioned the word guns or firearms, rather distinguished them as swords. This was really neat to see because if you noticed that both Montagues and the Capulets were always caring a pistal (sword) around in the open as if it's normal. this was intresting to see because the dircter brought an easier understanding of Romeo and Juliet in a modern perspective.
This film was okay we read shakespear's play then watched Lurhrmans movie afterwards. In the movie he did show a modern theme obviously but the part I didnt like was changing it too much far as the scenery and stuff...too much.
This film was very interesting and intriguing. The most interesting thing i found in this movie, was how a name divided two lovers from living their life in passion together. It was so interesting to see that status, power and title holds so much on a person back in those times. In the end death, pain and suffering ensued in the fight for love. Only could peace be entertained after when life and love as lost.
Molly O
This particular film of romeo and Juliet was amazing. I love how Luhrmann used modern day settings but incorporated the same exact play that was created from Shakespeare. Guns were used instead of swords, cars were used in the modern film, etc.. I absolutely love this film.
What I found most interesting was not that guns were used in place of swords or that they referred to the guns as swords. That is a little obvious.
In Luhrmann's portrayal it seems that the influence that the Montague's and Capulet's have over the police is extremely strong. Did anyone in either family ever get punished, jailed or even fined? What was interesting was the seemingly strong power that the police had with S.W.A.T. teams, Helicopters, etc.... yet they did nothing. The Montague's and Capulet's are portrayed as mafia families were the families do battle in the streets. Just like in real life in different cities with gangs throughout our country. I wonder if Luhrmann believes that the police in this country are doing as little as his film portrays.
JSR
I really enjoyed this film and I think Luhrmann did a great job in modernizing the play. Even though the film was a little cheesey and dramatic i think it had to be done to match Shakespeare's elaborate language. The only thing I didn't agree with was the end scene, I think Paris should have been involved like he was in the play. Luhrmann changed it too much for my liking.
I really enjoyed this film. I like how it was modernized and I love Leonardo. This film was definately directed towards a younger crowd to capture their attention. By modernizing this movie it made Shakespeare more interesting and more relatable. It also captured my attention adn made me want to keep watching. The actors, music, and the overall feel of movie more interesting.
I thought Romeo and Juliet was a intertesint movie. I just could not believe how they just wanted to get married without ever considering any alternatives. Both their familes hated each other I just think its classic how I believe this would only work for kids their age. Because any rational adult would consider alternatives to thier consequences. I also thought it was interesting how the family at the end just felt the war between the families is over. I guess it true they los their most prize prosessions and might as well stop the curse that killed their childrens death. Great movies the actors performed well and caputred the audiences attention.
I love this version of Romeo and Juliet. I have seen the other one that was made in the 1960's, and while that was a good, true to the play movie, it never caught my attention how the more recent version did. I really enjoy the fact that the director of the new Romeo and Juliet adjusts the story to really bring in the young audience and that he not only makes it more fun and interesting, he shows how this could potentially happen in our everyday life. I really enjoyed this movie.
I love Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet. I watched it when I was younger and really did not appreciate it as much as I did watching it for a second time. The movie does an excellent job of portraying the emotions of the two main characters. The intensity and passion of Romeo and Juliet really comes out in a way that is both relatable and entertaining. It is hard not to get swept up in their tragic love story. Also the film is very visually stimulating. Each scene is filled with extravagant color such as the scene when Romeo and Juliet first meet at the fish tank. If you were to watch the film on mute it would still be entertaining and quite beautiful because of the visuals. Classic story and great movie!
I really liked the modern take on the story of Romeo and Juliet. I thought that the scene where Romeo takes the ecstasy before he meets Juliet explains his instant attraction to her, and why he compared it to a religious experience, especially when he was supposedly getting over his last object of affection. Drag queen Mercutio was a lot of fun to watch too.
I had a lot of problems with this new version of Romeo and Juliet. Even though I think Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor, I felt many of the modern twists tarnished the beauty of the original story. For example when Romeo first met Juliet he was tripping on ecstasy. That ruins the whole "love at first sight" idea that is so romanic in the original story. Their love is supposed to be pure and untainted by the hatred around them. Besides that fact, the film did a great job with all the romantic scenes between Romeo and Juliet, such as the balcony scene where they incorporated the pool, the scene where they are looking through the fish tank, and the scene post wedding night were all very romantic. Another thing that bothered me was the relationship between Mercutio and Romeo. The fact that Mercutio was his drug dealer makes Romeo's great loyalty to him and his desire to avenge Mercutio's death, not as genuine.
This movie came initially came off as ridiculous, but as the story continued the true story of romeo and juliet became clear. I have still yet to decide whether or not the director of the movie wanted to relate to the modern viewers of make the movie comedical. The interpretation of this movie in one concept can be thought of disgraceful. On the other hand, maybe more viewers did relate to the movie, and in that sense the move may to be thought of as ingenius. Who is to judge. One movie might suit a particular audience while the same movie may not.
This film was a tough one to form an opinion about, there is a huge part of me that found it over the top and ridiculous. At the same time I liked seeing actors and actresses I recognized and clarifying a couple questions I had about the play. So I didnt like it all that much but I appreciated it at the same time...
I really enjoyed this film i thought it was very compelling and enteratining to see Shakspeare literally take place during a contempary time frame. Some portions of the film seemed bizzare however the part with the drug sequence was very contempary and siginfies adsoclence usage of drugs and other narcotics. It was nice to see a shakspeare with a high budget like this with all the special effects.
-Edward
This is my favorite plot, the modern appearance made it easier to follow the love drama. I feel that the Capulet family was portrayed well, Romeo potrayed the montegues in positive manner as did juliet. I feel the death scene could have been more dramatic
this is one of my favorite movies that is adapted from one of Shakespeare's plays. i loved the color and the drama.. one thing i was not happy with was the acting by some of the supporting characters. think some of the time scenes were overacted and they made the movie seem a little bit cheesy.. other than that i loved the movie.
Nicole R
the story of romeo and juliet to myself and everyone else seems to be the most well-known Shakespeare film. I has been retold many times under the same name "Romeo and Juliet" and in some instances the names were changed but the story line was the same. In this film, how they talked in the way Shakespeare wrote made the story it more authentic to listen to, and the way they incorporated the color and modern day cars/clothes was a good way to modernize the film. I also think the film was a little corny but for the most part i found it very enjoyable.
I was surprised when watching this film how much it affected me, especially after watching films based off this play before. This is, as stated before, one of Shakeapeares most popular plays, so this movie had a lot to live up to. I believe that they did a fantastic job tying in Shakespeares emotion and story line by using the lines that he originally wrote but using modern day props. And how they placed it in a modern day setting with modernized situations. There was a lot of religious symolism throughout the movie, including flashes of the statue of Jesus, Rosaries, and the Virgin mary. All these religous symbols show how the lives of the Capuletsand Montagues are contradictions to what they so strongly believe.
To me, the most dominant and reoccuring theme in this film was religion. I know that it was an important aspect of the writing, but in the film over and over and over statues and pictures and symbols of religious significance were dominating the screen. I think it's amazing that something from such a different era can be slightly modified and still applicable and appealing to audiences today, and that we are still able to relate to the story of Romeo and Juliet. I watched this film four years ago around this time, and seeing it again reveals more things to me than I could have imagined, and I'm shocked by how much I missed the first run through.
I loved this film. I had seen it many times before we actually watched it in class but it never gets boring. I really like how they transformed the story into modern day, such as guns instead of swords. The only thing I didn't like about this film was the scene where Romeo and Juliet both die. I don't like how Romeo saw that she was alive afte he took the poison. That whole scene just frustrated me because I wanted her to awake faster.Overall, I believe the director did an excellent job with transforming a classic story into a modern day tale.
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