Rating: 
Summary: Since summer first was leafy...
Review: "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of those sparkling adaptations that supposedly couldn't have been done. But Kennneth Branagh (director and star of "Hamlet," and creator of the supremely underrated "Midwinter's Tale") brought an all-star cast in a sparkling Tuscan setting, to bring this tale of bickering loves and sordid betrayals to life as never before.The sullen Don John has just been stopped in a rebellion against his brother Don Pedro, by young hero Claudio. Now all of them (including Don John, whom his brother has forgiven) are arriving in Messina, the home of kindly Leonato. But when they get there, Claudio immediately falls in love with Leonato's beautiful daughter Hero. And despite the efforts of Don John, Don Pedro manages to get the two young lovers together and altar-bound. But Don Pedro isn't willing to stop there. Hero's cousin Beatrice has a long-running feud with Claudio's pal Benedick -- they insult each other, they bicker, they argue about everything ("It is so indeed -- he is no less than a stuffed man!"). What's more, both of them swear to stay single forever. ("All women shall pardon me -- I shall live a bachelor!") Pedro and the others conspire to get Benedick and Beatrice to somehow fall in love with each other. And at first it seems that everything is going well -- until Don John manages to cast doubt on Hero's honor There's a certain timeless quality to "Much Ado" -- not just the dialogue, but the simple costumes and the buildings in it. That leaves the audience free to pay more attention to the dialogue and its plot. And what a plot it is! "Much Ado" is brimming over with funny dialogue, dastardly plots, comedic supporting characters and weird pairings. (Beatrice and Benedick are the sort of love-hate couple that a lot of movies try to have, but don't succeed with) The dialogue is mostly (if not all) Shakespeare's own, but it's not necessary to be a Shakespeare buff to understand what they're saying. It's not dumbed down, either -- it's just spoken as normally as ordinary English. And the Tuscan landscape sparkles with life, passion, and lots of fruit and wine. You don't need to be a fan already to understand and appreciate this movie. Kenneth Branagh (who also directed and adapted the play) is amazing as Benedick, lovably witty and egotistical; he gets a little silly at times (such as his bird calls or joyous romp in the fountain), but demonstrates his serious ability after Hero is disgraced. the outstanding Emma Thompson is even better as the sharp-tongued Beatrice, a fiery young woman with her own mind and definitely her own mouth. Thompson lashes out Shakespeare's witty lines as easily as if she just thought them up herself; one of her most powerful scenes is here. Denzel Washington (Don Pedro) looks like he's having a great time; Keanu Reeves (Don John) is a bit flat in places, but glowers well enough. Kate Beckinsale's first movie role (Hero) is suitably sweet and adorable. Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio) is the one weak link in the cast; he seems a bit too overwrought and hysterical to be a major hero. (No pun intended) This movie was unavailable for a very long time and only recently was rereleased on DVD. The DVD is pretty spare; aside from the movie, there are a few DVD promos (for "When Harry Met Sally" and "The Princess Bride" -- both, I notice, comedic romances) and a brief making-of featurette. The featurette doesn't really offer much that is new, but does give some insights into the chosen settings and why the cast wished to do the movie. Those who enjoyed Branagh's "Hamlet" and "Henry V" will rejoice in "Much Ado About Nothing," the quintessential romantic comedy. Funny, sweet, romantic, and incredibly well-acted, this is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: A GOOD DVD RELEASE FOR A FINE FILM!!!
Review: William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is brought to life with elegance and grace. Aside from the nudity and [adult] content, this is a great film full of funny humor, a great cast and brilliant filmmaking (Credit for that goes to Kenneth Branagh, who has proven time and again that he is as fine a director as Spielberg, Lucas, and Scorcese, if not better). The second DVD release features a fine digital transfer of the film, complete in it's 1.85:1 Widescreen format. The short featurette "Making 'Much Ado'" is not the best doc ever made, but it does it's job. Other special features include the Theatrical trailer and trailers for the "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The Princess Bride" DVD's. A fine addition to the collection. Get this along with "Henry V."
Movie Grade: A+
DVD Grade: A-
Rating: 
Summary: Good and then maybe not so good
Review: I first saw this movie when I was in a high school production of Much Ado in February 2003. The first time I saw it, I liked it. And then, I started to find myself acting like the people in the movie. Then I watched the movie again, and I realized that it really isn't that great.
First of all, the only thing I don't like in this movie is the acting (and the gratuitous nudity at the beginning)--everything else is perfect. So let's cut to the acting.
Kenneth Branagh gives a good rendition of Benedick, although I think he could have been more emotional. He seems to run on this one emotion of confusion that gets tiring after awhile. Emma Thompson as Beatrice gets extremely annoying after awhile. The Hero and Claudio parts are played good. Then we get to Denzel and his part of Don Pedro. I am sorry but Denzel is not a Shakespearean actor. He really was bad. Keanu Reeves, playing Don John, wasn't as bad, but didn't come off as evil enough to me. Dogberry, Verges, and the watchmen are hilarious, they were good. Leonato was a little too weird for my tastes--he didn't seem to flow. Antonio was good...eh, that's most all of the main characters. Oh yeah, and Margaret was ugly.
So that's my review. Have a nice day
Rating:
Summary: good but uneven
Review: this is an enjoyable adaptation of shakespeare's play, but it is slightly marred by some poor acting and by the abridgement of the text that loses the depth and rhythm of the play. on the other hand, the film does capture the festive atmosphere. see the bbc television production for a more well-rounded and better acted adaptation. it doesn't have the production value of branagh's version, but it is a more satisfying adaptation of much ado about nothing.
Rating:
Summary: Movie Trailer Song Title
Review: May I know whats the song title used in the movie trailer?
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare for the dedicated reader
Review: The story is set in Messina, Italy, where we meet: Benedick, a brash, conceited young lord of Padua; Beatrice, the arrogant, witty, niece of the Governor of Messina; Claudio, a love-struck young lord of Florence; Hero, the object of Claudio's affection, and daughter of the Governor of Messina; and Don John, the Prince of Aragon's bastard brother and general evil-doer. These main characters get flustered over nothing explaining the title of the book, Much Ado about Nothing. Beatrice and Benedick both vow never to get married. They are constantly having a battle of wits, bantering back and forth. The Prince, Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato, the Governor of Messina, set up Benedick to fall in love. When they are sure that Benedick is within hearing distance, they begin a conversation about Beatrice's love for Benedick. On the other side of the garden, Hero, Martha and Ursula wait until Beatrice is within hearing distance to carry out their part of the scheme, and begin to talk of Benedick's undying love for Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice end up falling in love "against their will".
In another plot of the story, Claudio and Hero are in love and are going to get married. But John Don, not wanting to loose his chance of becoming the king, cooks up a scheme to end the wedding. Don John sets up the Prince and Claudio to see Martha, Hero's maid, at Hero's bedroom window with a man who calls her Hero. Claudio, thinking Hero is being unfaithful, refuses to marry her shaming her in front of family and friends.
Much Ado about Nothing has wonderfully developed characters and very descriptive scenes, so much so that you feel as though you can see the sights of Messina along with the characters. Although this is a wonderful and well written story it did have one weakness. Shakespeare used the same theme as in Romeo and Juliet. A friar has the idea that the young Hero, who wants to marry her true love but can not, should pretend to be dead. This seems repetitive and makes you wonder if maybe Shakespeare was running out of ideas.
Much Ado about Nothing is a lively tale of young love and deception. It is a good read for anyone willing to put in a little effort to understand Shakespeare's language and play on words by reading footnotes. It is definitely worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare at Its Best
Review: I saw this movie when I was fairly young. I admit that I couldn't understand much of what was going on let along what was being said (I was nine, I wasn't exactly fluent in Olde English). Since then I've watched it many times. Not only do I understand it now, but I fully apreciate how good it is. The movie is a very good adaptation of the play. The impressive lines that Shakespeare wrote were generally given new life in their delivery. Also, I must compliment Michael Keaton on his role. It isn't a very big one, but if you watch this movie, you'll understand why I mentioned it. Overall, this is simply a fully enjoyable movie, whether you're a fan of Shakespeare or not.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Shakespeare adaptations I've seen!
Review: I absolutely love this film, it's funny, and filled with romance, mischief, misunderstanding, basically all of the things that make Shakespeare's comedies what they are. I enjoyed the performances from all around, including Kenneth Branagh, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, etc. this is something that can be viewed again and again, and you will never tire of it. it is a romantic romp that brings a smile to your face that never fades from beginning to end. from the sparkling wit and repartee of Benedick and Beatrice, to the bumbling detective work of Dogberry and his entourage, this is a highly recommended movie.
Rating:
Summary: It's worth watching more than once.
Review: A group comes to a little country paradise, which soon turns to chaos. An evil half brother to the prince turns love to jealousy, trust to betrayal, and plants rumours through his lackeys. A woman is nearly ruined, but a priest creates a plan to save the day with her still loyal friend's help.
There is also a more light and amusing sub-plot two get two bitter enemies to fall in love with a scheme played out by all. Most of the acting is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Thou shalt adore this DVD!
Review: What a wonderful find! The DVD version of this movie is simply splendid! The segment in the DVD version called "Making Much Ado" provides a terrific, brief overview to the film and is well worth the extra dollars to invest in the DVD format. Interviews with each of the actors will help you to appreciate this movie for what it truly is: a cinematic work of excellence! You will fall in love with Shakespeare's wittiest pair, Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and Benedick (Kenneth Branagh), while admiring the absolutely gorgeous landscape of the set. Each character's unique portrayal adds to the lighthearted feel of the movie; Shakespeare's diction is handled so well that the blank verse is remarkably stimulating...even to those who usually find it detrimental. Truly a film you will not want to miss, Branagh's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is proof of how modern technology can so enhance the genius of the Bard.
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