Rating: 
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing could be Branagh's best
Review: Trying to pick one of Kenneth Branagh's films as his best is a difficult task. He has done so much good work in such a short time that it's easy to forget how young he is. But if I have to pick just one as his best (and certainly as my favorite) it must be this wonderful comedy. The story of the romance between Hero and Claudio, played excellently by Kate Beckinsale and Robert Sean Leonard, and the comic wooing of Benedick and Beatrice (Branagh and his then-wife Emma Thompson) provides enough smiles, tears and laughs for any ten modern tales. The whole cast sparkles and seems to be having a lot of fun. The young Ms. Beckinsale nearly steals every scene she's in with her portrayal of the lovely innocent and wronged Hero. It's a shame that we don't see more of her work in the U.S. The movie was filmed entirely in an Italian villa and benefits greatly from the beauty and bright sunshine of the location. The costumes are perfect for the tale, all the details are seen to under Mr. Branagh's watchful eye. These love stories are told with perfection. Too many players are unwilling to act as broadly as needed for Shakespearean comedy. Not so here. Branagh as Benedick and the rest of the cast strike just the right bold notes. It takes great talent to bring all this off so wonderfully and there is great talent here, no doubt. The sense of sheer joy and life in this film makes me watch it again and again. The bathing scene during the credits says more about the ecstatic joy of living and loving than anything else on the screen lately. If someone can watch this movie without wanting more Shakespeare they are hopeless. Patrick Doyle's beautiful score is perfect and may be his most interesting ever. The DVD is an excellent medium for this film and the widescreen makes it perfect. I truly can't find more than two words to speak against this film (and he's not on screen enough to matter.) See this beautiful film on DVD. You'll be watching it many times. This must be Kenneth Branagh's best so far. May he continue for many years to bring us this kind of brilliance.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, magnificent, and charming
Review: If you really hate Shakespeare, then you might change your mind after watching this film; you'll probably end up watching it over and over again!My one line summary says it all: it's truly a wonderful film to watch and own. That, and I'd love to know how Branagh accomplished the camera work in the last scene of the film--totally amazing!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Adaptation of a Classic
Review: I love this movie! Kenneth Branagh stayed true to the original, and he and Emma Thompson are perfect as the feuding lovers who don't know they're in love. Keanu Reeves is a bit out of place (but looks really good in leather pants), and I thought Michael Keaton was hilarious. This is a must see for Branagh, Thompson, or Shakespeare fans, or just anyone who likes a good romance. It is a fun and funny movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Four stars, and they all go to Emma Thompson
Review: Emma Thompson gives one of the finest screen performances of the decade as Beatrice. She is beautiful, intelligent, funny, and very very sexy. Unfortunately, Kenneth Branagh makes for a poor Benedick. Branagh goes utterly over the top, and is finally so irritating that I found myself wondering what in God's name Beatrice finally sees in him. The rest of the cast is able, except, predictably enough, for Keanu Reeves, of whom the less said the better. See the movie for Emma, and ignore Kenneth, if you can.
Rating:
Summary: Keanu Reeves saved this insipid picture
Review: There, now I have your attention. I was just kidding. No need to get into how bad Reeves was. My main disappointment is not with the film, but with the DVD. Where are the extras??? The behind-the-scenes documentary (and there is one - I saw it on BBC) and the director's commentary option. I for one would love to hear how Branagh puts together a film. It's missing on Frankenstein as well. I'm crossing my fingers for Hamlet when it arrives on DVD...
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare made accessible for one and all!
Review: I rarely buy videos, but this one I had to have. I saw part of it on televison, then forgot about it until I borrowed a copy from my local library. That was it! This film will definitely stand up to repeated viewings. The best part of it is the clever dialogue, the verbal dueling between the characters Beatrice and Benedict. Their romance is so much more interesting than the two younger lovers, because they start out hardly able to stand one another. Also, Michael Keaton is just a hoot. As for poor Keanu Reeves -- well, he didn't get much screen time and there doesn't seem to be very much for him to do. I've pulled out my college Shakespeare anthology to read the play, but haven't finished it yet, so I can't tell whether the part of Don Jon was whittled down for the film, or just a stock Shakespeare villian without a whole lot of character development to begin with. Or if, as a lot of fellow reviewers seem to think, Keanu just can't act -- especially in comparison to the rest of this wonderful cast. You've gotta see it for yourself! The most amazing thing is how the actors make the language work for us as if it hadn't been written 400 years ago. Burton and Taylor have nothing on Branagh and Thompson....
Rating:
Summary: This book is the best Shakespear book ever written!!!
Review: Much Ado About Nothing is the best Shakespear book ever written. It is a funny, romantic book, perfect for snuggling up with on a winter night. I advise you strongly to read it. You will surely LOVE it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Viually Spectacular, Hilariously Funny, Fantastic.
Review: I saw this FILM (not a movie) when it first came out in the theaters. I loved it so much, I purchased it as soon as it became available on VHS. Then when I got my DVD player, it was one of my first purchases. This film is a wonderful adaptation of a fabulous play by on of the world's greatest and my favorite storyteller. I think if Shakespreare were alive today, he and Kenneth Branagh would be very good friends. Excellent direction, casting, locations, acting, costumes and cinamatography. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson did a superb job with the lovers who refused to love, locked in an endless battle of witts until both had to give in (with a little help from their friends). Michael Keaton was hilarious. I loved everything about this film except for the casting of Keanu Reeves. I'm sure they could have found someone with talent to play the villain. His acting was bland (as usual) and his motivation seemed compoletely contrived. Keanu not withstanding, Much Ado About Nothing is one of the most enjoyable films I've seen, ever, and I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Vibrant and Beautiful to Watch
Review: It's wonderful to see such a talented (big name) cast in a Shakespear comedy. Branagh and Thompson are fabulous at the fast-paced exchange of wits. Keaton is hilarious. Keanu Reeves stands out a bit and doesn't seem quite comfortable with Shakespear, but it kind of works for the character. Washington is smooth, as usual. In this ensemble piece, everyone seems to be running at top of form and enjoying their role. The presentation is interesting - evoking the feeling of the historical period, yet seeming somewhat comtemporary at the same time. The pace is engaging. And the lush countryside is a suitably simple yet beautiful backdrop.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a Masterpiece!
Review: Shakespeare is dead, that is a fact. But with a man like Kenneth Branagh, his works come to life. Kenneth Branagh is not new to Shakespeare by any means, after I saw Henry V, I thought he couldn't possibly do better...I was wrong. Much Ado About Nothing is truly a masterpiece. Even if you are not a Shakepeare fan, you will love the beautiful scenery, costuming, and magnificent acting. Shakespeare may be dead, but his works will live on thanks to Kenneth Branagh.
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