Rating: 
Summary: Scrumptiously Devious
Review: If your mind is longing for a Shakespeare production, this is an excellent adaptation of the highest order. Not only is this one of the best romantic comedies ever written, it is set in the Tuscan sun and reaches its full comic potential in all the lustiness and witty dialogue only Shakespeare could create. At a sensuous picnic, Beatrice reads: Sign no more, ladies, sign no more,
Men were deceivers ever,
One foot in sea, and one on shore,
To one thing constant never.
Then sigh not so, but let them go,
And be you blithe and bonny,
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into hey (nonny nonny). (brief translation: what the heck). Act 2, scene 3, 62-69 In Messina, the governor Leonato, his daughter Hero, and her cousin Beatrice (Antonio's daughter) learn from a messenger that Don Pedro has won victory in a battle and is returning home. Denzel Washington as the Prince Don Pedro really adds sex appeal to this movie! When he arrives with his soldiers from war there is a moment of excitement when everyone lets their inner child escape and there is a feeling of giddy anticipation and the movie takes on a vigorous life of its own. This is pure escapism for sure. The Italian villa with lush landscapes, fountains and plenty of shrubs to hide behind for eavesdropping on crucial conversations is just enchanting. It is the perfect place for the story to unfold. Here the prince and his warriors decide to vacation for a month. The main plot involves two love stories. Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) are in love and hardly need to be pressured into matrimony. Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) have a hilarious adversarial type courtship in neither can decide what they really want. "Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably." They have both declared they will never marry. In fact, one assumes it was their desire of their wild hearts all along, but was only revealed in a tortured path of wit and intrigue. Claudio: [to Hero] Lady, as you are mine, I am yours; I give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange.
Beatrice: Speak, cousin, or (if you cannot) stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak neither. Don John ("yummy" Keanu Reaves) is of course the evil villan in this story and sets out to destroy the relationship between the beautiful Hero and the handsome Claudio. Like a devil, he manages to create mayhem and then leaves the tortured souls to figure out the details of their salvation. With the sweet Hero slandered and presumed dead, one assumes as sure as there is a thought or a soul, there is no turning back. There are so many great lines in this play that were included with such flair. This is now my favorite Shakespeare adaptation. You will laugh with absolute delight
at the antics these characters get up to! Universal appeal!
Rating:
Summary: BUY IT YOU'LL LOVE IT!!
Review: I can always tell the good movies by how many people are offering them at used prices. This one hardly has any. I am not a Shakespeare fan, but my brother is, and recommended this. I watched it, and I was rolling on the floor. Micheal Keaton is a hoot! Kenneth Branaugh was absolutely charming... The dialoge is not very hard to follow, and the action does keep things rolling. I do not recommend this for children, there is a "sex scene" that is ...not suitable. Also, there is a scene where the dude that is getting married thinks his fiance was having an affair, and just about tries to beat the heck out of her. However, compared to the R-rated movies which are out there now, this is very tame... I really enjoyed this movie. So much, that even though I've wanted to list it for sale, I still hang on to it, and I've watched it three times. Each time there's something that I've missed before. Highly recommend this one... So, get a little culture, and buy this DVD. You won't regret it. Shakespeare can be for everyone!
Rating: 
Summary: Synopsis
Review: Claudio is in love with Hero, but there's only ONE problem Hero is scheduled to Marry the Prince. Don John wants to kill the Prince (his brother) so he can become King so he can force Hero to marry him. But, during all of this the prince realizes that Hero and Claudio are in love and decides that Claudio should marry her. Well, Don John hears this and now must come up with a new plan. He decides to stage as Hero and Another Man. So Hero will be shamed, and then decides he doesn't care so he can marry her! HOW EVIL! Leonato, Claudio, and the Prince here of this and find witnesses who say that the evil plan happened, and now Claudio will shame his Fiancé at they're wedding, and not marry her. At the wedding, he stays to his word and shames Hero. Hero is to be killed, and her father said he would perform the task. Beatrice, Benedick, and Leonato, decide to fake the prosecution, and hide Hero.
Rating:
Summary: A great bit of folly
Review: A very good friend of mine has no time for college. However, as an active duty Marine, he is allowed to take CLEP & Dantes (college credit examinations) for free.
I stumbled on the idea that he might be able to attain the knowledge necessary to pass these exminations in literature by watching videos and DVDs. We started with this modern production of a Shakespearean classic. It was a great introduction. Fast-paced and funny, it's a great evening of entertainment and if you can learn something in the process, why not?
Be you blithe and bonney! Have a wonderful evening with this wonderful tale.
Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About the Play
Review: In my opinion this is one of Shakespeare's best plays. You get his usual lovely poetic language. Also you get the usual turmoil until the climax and then all ends well which is a commonality in Shakespeare comedys. He also has the commonality of the mistaken identity which creates some of the turmiol. But this comedy in my opinion has the best plot. The two couples and what they go through make it very intriguing. I especially like Beatrice and Benidick's character's. Their lines in the beginning are so witty and clever. I found their lines to be quite funny. These are definitly Shakespeare's wittiest characters. In contrast, Hero and Claudio could be his sweetest characters. I like how he included these couples of opposite temperments in the same play. It makes it more interesting. Also, this play doesn't have a dull act. In some of Shakespeare's plays there's an act where nothing that exciting happens, not this one. So if you haven't already guessed i highly recommend this play!
Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing Review
Review: As a junior in high school, reading the Shakespearean comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, many relationships are apparent in comparing a "typical high school atmosphere" to the story. Witnessing and being involved in the deceitfulness of peers, and finding myself caught in the middle of complicated and thorny relationships, I find the play easy to relate to. This romantic comedy is about love interwoven with misfortune, full of confusion, deception, and of course, sexual tension, which Shakespeare often places in his plays. Much Ado About Nothing narrows the gap between tragedy and comedy, due to the temporary misfortunes of the characters; however, the misunderstandings are highlighted by the comical elements of the play. Characters throughout the story fall head over heels for each other within seconds or are tricked into falling in love (the term love in this play is used loosely). The main characters, Beatrice and Benedict, are brought together through the gossip of their friends, turning witticisms into affection. Hero and Claudio are meant to be together, but because of lies and deceit of the antagonist, Don John, their relationship is continually tumultuous. Of course, despite the evil and deceptive deeds performed by several characters, the play remains a comedy, where Shakespeare grants us a happy ending, with weddings and the capture of the villain, Don John.--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
Rating:
Summary: For those who like a Shakespearean piece NOT ending in doom
Review: Branagh and Thompson head a brilliant and lively cast in this spirited version of the bards work. The cinematography makes you want to immediately go to the Tuscan village where the film was shot, drink a little wine, dance a little dance, and romance (take your pick among Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale - or Keanu Reeves, who plays the heavy in this otherwise VERY light-hearted Shakespearean comedy.
Rating:
Summary: My return to sanity on a bad day
Review: This is my favorite film of all time and the film I go to when I need a quick pick-me-up. Although most of Shakespeare can be summarized by "he dies, she dies, everybody dies," this is my favorite of his comedies. (Although, I desperately wish Kenneth would do 'Taming of the Shrew' at some point!) And no one dies! All the actors radiantly shine in this production and the settings are rich and fabulous. I always purchase Kenneth's Shakespeare productions. They are beautifully detailed and truer to the text than most that I have seen. This film is upbeat, humourous, and just plain wonderful. Chocolate for the brain! In this film, there is the main story and a sub-story, which are both humourous, somewhat tragic, and highly entertaining. The pace is smooth and keeps your interest at all times. Costuming is gorgeous and detailed. You get pulled in and can't leave until the movie "ends well." My favorite thing about the Kenneth Shakespeare films is that he gets you emotionally involved. You want to go in and slap the bad guys, give a big hug to the good guys and you sympathize perfectly with all the going-on's of the movie. ;D Kenneth always attracts top talent to his productions (some uncredited), certainly true of this movie, and they act their hearts out. You have to be a Shakespeare fan to get the MOST out of it, because of the language of the times, but this romance is worth it even for the non-Shakespeare fans to try out!
Rating:
Summary: funny and just plain enjoyable! by a 14 year old
Review: This movie is so, as I said, enjoyable! It's hilarious - it has both physical and oral comedy. The scenes with Benedick and Beatrice are great. Shakespeare's play is about two romances. One with a young, innocent, beautiful Hero and a naiive guy (I forget his name). The other is with Beatrice and Benedick, a couple who love to hate each other and don't realize their true feelings without a little help from some friends. Unfortunately, all is not completely happy. Someone is trying to put a damper on everyone's fun with lies and false accusations. But don't worry! Much Ado About Nothing isn't a tragedy. The music and scenery is beautiful and the who feel is the movie is sprightly and energetic. I think everyone did a good job. Branagh and Thompson obviously were wonderful. Everybody says Michael Keaten (spelling?) and Keanu Reeves were terrible, but I strongly disagree. Perhaps they were a little prejudiced by former viewings of the actors. Keaten was so funny - I am sure Shakespeare was not always refined - and Reeves was evil. They both were fine! I recommend this movie to Shakespeare lovers (though it may not be COMPLETELY true to the original text) and to anyone who wants a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This film version of Much Ado is hands down one of the best productions of Shakespeare available on film. The cast is superb and Branagh allows them to shine in their roles. The text comes through crystal clear without sacrificing any of the meaning or playing simply for laughs. However, laughs there are, galore! The only down spot is Keanu Reaves, who looks the part but unfortunately isn't up to the task, but he's surrounded by pros and isn't on screen all that much.
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