Rating: 
Summary: A wild ride that gets away with it
Review: A wild ride that gets away with it I'm not even going to pretend that I know good Shakespeare or bad Shakespeare. I imagine if Anthony Hopkins is doing it, it's probably being done well. So when it comes to this type of material, I just sit back for the ride and try to be entertained. I suspect that the makers of this film also realize that most people aren't brushed up on their Shakespeare, so they take a slant on the film to attract a modern audience. "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet" a few years ago did this fairly successfully by bringing the story to California street-gang level. This one also goes for a bizarre touch, and I will at least agree it held my interest. This is a story where there don't seem to be any really good guys. There's a king who has power, but then there's Anthony Hopkins who seems to have money and military might. The king takes on Jessica Lange as his wife, and they proceed to party the way Rome was famous for in it's heyday. She also has two grown sons who perform some unspeakable acts on the grown daughter of Anthony Hopkins. How he reacts to this becomes the rest of the film. The visuals are amazing in that they throw everything but the kitchen sink on the screen. The plot is supposedly ancient Rome, but the most dominant period seems to be the Middle Ages. Yet we also have cars and rock and roll music. And much more brutal, shocking violence than you can imagine. It may or may not be a great movie, but it will hold your interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Hands Chopped Off...? Human Pies..?
Review: ...the imperial heir to the throne is part Moor...? What is this? Hannibal, Part V? Nope. It's Shakespeare, baby. Albeit a 'remixed-Shakespeare' for current moviegoers, it's still a Shakespearian drama. And, it's one of the best of the 'remixes' out there currently. What makes this soooo good that the players--Hopkins, Lange, Cummings, the actor who played The Moor and the empress' two sons---the all played their parts with such relish that you really get into it. I've seen it twice and what helped me in the viewing is that I had the closed-captioning on to help with the understanding of the dialog. I would love to see another remixed "MacBeth" or "Taming of the Shrew"....
Rating:
Summary: Great Modern Interpretation
Review: Julie Taymor honed this production on Broadway before adapting it for the screen, and it shows. Based on one of Shakespeare's earlier and lesser known plays, "Titus Andronicus," this adaptation is the best "modern" interpretation I have ever seen. The play is not for the weak of stomache or heart, as it ranks up there with "Silence of the Lambs" or "Se7en" in brutality and gore, but for those who can tolerate the sickening aspects of this play, this cinematic interpretation offers an incredible experience. The DVD special features are well chosen and offer a great addition to the academic experience of this film. Highest possible recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Tragic and Epic
Review: I was really mesmorized and transported into this film. I found it to be completely captivating with the sheer brilliance of the directors vision of the noble and tragic Titus Andronicus.From the beginning to the end the director was able to blend smoothly
the modern times with the ancient Roman theme.I was inspired by
the performance by all of the actors involved with the project.
Rating:
Summary: Taymor Makes It Accessible
Review: William Shakespeare's tragedy "Titus Andronicus" gets something of a Baz Luhrmann "Romeo & Juliet" style treatment from director Julie Taymor, in her visionary film adaptation of the play, "Titus," starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. It's one of the more brutal and disturbing offerings from the bard, who seeks to expose the myriad chambers of darkness that can be found within the human psyche, which Taymor (who also wrote the screenplay) ferrets out and presents to optimum-- if often disconcerting-- effect. It's a tale of revenge and madness; of revenge born of grief, and madness born of sorrows layered upon sorrows that are simply beyond the endurance of mortal man, the attendant emotions of which Taymor captures in a tapestry of images plaited throughout this blood stirring drama, making it-- for better or worse (as this is one that's definitely going to "stay" with you awhile)-- an altogether unforgettable motion picture experience. A soldier for forty years, General Titus Andronicus (Hopkins) has commanded the Roman legions to countless victories on the field of battle, and along with his army is just returned home from their latest conquest. Once in Rome, Titus will oversee the ceremonial salute to the fallen and the burial of those who died in battle; then he will attend to his prisoners, the Queen of the Goths, Tamora (Lange) and her three sons. For Titus, life is in order and all is well; but though he doesn't realize it yet, all of that is about to change. Titus has four sons, but it is his only daughter, the beautiful Lavinia (Laura Fraser), who will play a leading role in the drama that is about to unfold, which begins with the untimely death of Caesar. Though it is but an opinion, when Titus is asked which of Caesar's son's he favors for succession, Saturninus (Alan Cumming) or Bassianus (James Frain), his choice holds sway, and subsequently triggers an irreversible chain of events which ultimately beget the final tragedy of the story. Before the end, however, Titus Andronicus will suffer the agonies of hell; but into that dark night, he will not go quietly. Within the first few minutes of a film, a good director will let you know what you're in for, and Taymor succeeds in doing so here. The riveting opening sequence, in which Titus and his soldiers march in hypnotic cadence into Rome, sets the style and tone for all that follows. Taymor's staging and choreography are brilliant; orchestrated to draw in the audience and hold them, and she does, in absolutely mesmerizing fashion. Set in ancient Rome, Taymor nevertheless refuses to be bound by the parameters of "era," going "out of the box" to draw upon and blend time periods in an effort to realize her personal vision and bring her imaginative presentation of the play to fruition. There are microphones, for example, in front of the Capitol; and in procession through the streets of Rome, chariots are preceded and/or followed by automobiles and motorcycles. All of which is played out against a rhythm of excitement that effectively impacts the drama, bringing it all so vibrantly to life. To find the true pulse of the story, Taymor evokes a sense of Olivier/Welles/Branagh and fuses it with a combination of Luhrmann and "West Side Story," which makes her film not only emotionally involving and compelling, but visually stunning as well. And though she draws upon the best of the best to make her film all that it can be, what you see on the screen it pure Taymor; the expression of a unique and inimitable artistic genius. As Titus, Anthony Hopkins gives a solid, if not his best, performance. His portrayal is thoroughly convincing (which goes without saying, of course, with Hopkins), but the usual pure and resonant timbre of his voice occasionally and quite noticeably falters, though his elocution remains a study in perfection. An actor who can play any role, Hopkins may always be remembered as Hannibal in "Silence of the Lambs," but without question, he was born to play Shakespeare. One would think, in fact, that his resume would be filled with cinematic adaptations of such; curiously, however, it is not. And while his Titus may be comparatively sub-standard "Hopkins," in the end, he manages to make the role his own with yet another memorable performance. Initially, casting Jessica Lange as Tamora seems an odd choice, inasmuch as this is her first foray into the Shakespearian arena. In the final analysis, however, it is very much in keeping with the less than conventional approach Taymor employs here, and Lange comports herself well with her portrayal of the malevolent Queen of the Goths. She lends a definitive physical countenance to the role, and in her eyes you can discern the shadows that plague her soul and the fire that sparks her quest for revenge. It's a performance that goes far in demonstrating that Lange is, indeed, a consummate actor, with a range that substantiates her stature as an Oscar winner. Also turning in performances of note are Cumming, who is deliciously loathsome as Saturninus; Fraser, whose Lavinia is endearingly fragile and vulnerable; and Harry J. Lennix as the manipulative, despicable Moor, Aaron. The supporting cast includes Colm Feore (Marcus Andronicus), Angus MacFadyen (Lucius), Osheen Jones (Young Lucius), Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Chiron), Matthew Rhys (Demetrius), Kenny Doughty (Quintus), Blake Ritson (Mutius), Colin Wells (Martius), Raz Degan (Alarbus), Ettore Geri (Priest) and Constantine Gregory (Aemelius). There's no escaping the fact that the story of "Titus" is gruesome, to say the least. Many will find it offensive, even insufferable, especially the ending, which is a sordid business no matter how you slice it. But the vigor and vision of Taymor's production makes it engrossing, stimulating entertainment that is entirely accessible and will appeal to an audience that transcends hard core Shakespeare aficionados. If not madness, there is definitely magic in her method, which is more than evident on the screen. And that's the magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: By and far my favorite shakespeare film as yet
Review: As a non-fan of Shakespeare I approached this film with some trepidation, and came away from it feeling as though I had undervalued the worth of his works. As other's have said, Julie Taymor's interpretation of this play is visually stunning and inventive to say the least; however the sense I was left with in the end was not so much of an impression of her work alone as that I had just for the first time been truly moved and disturbed by violence in a film ... that Shakespeare and Taymor together had presented a story which wholly lacked the cartoon quality to violence often found in films and therefore made it impossible to remain distant from the work. In my opinion, that alone is worth far more than five stars. As for Anthony Hopkins acting in the role of Titus himself, twice I literally gaped and whispered "wow." Shakespearian purists are likely to be put off by the sometimes abstract quality Taymor brings to scenes, and to follow the language does demand one's full attention sometimes, however the film is beautiful, emotionally involving, and entirely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Titus Andromecus
Review: I saw this film on television and it was absolutely amazing and surreal! I loved it and think it is the best rendition of a Shakespeare play, ever. Romeo and Juliet is nothing compared to this twisted tale of an angry general. The scene when the daughter turns around slowly and spouts blood is mesmerizing! I love it!
Rating: 
Summary: What would Shakespeare think?
Review: Now, modern interpretations of Shakespeare are welcome in today's society, but sometimes I wonder is if this really what Shakespeare had in mind. I think Julie Taymore takes it a bit too far here in her feature debut, "Titus", based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, his bloodiest play. Anthony Hopkins plays Titus Andronicus, a triumphant and veteran Roman general who returns home to Rome for the last time to bury the dead and retire. The Senate is ready to proclaim him Emperor when he denies and reccomends the thrown to Saturnius (Alan Cumming), who is weak and impressionable. He eventually takes Tamora, queen of the Goths (Jessica Lange) as a wife. It all starts going downhill from there. Tamora's two sons rape an brutally assault Lavinia, Titus' daughter. When her uncle discovers what has been done to her, it is a gruesome scene. Lavinia in the swamp will be a scene I never forget. But, this is Shakespeare, so the film is about the breakdown of Titus, not of the Empire. Hopkins portrays what has to be one of the best of his career - he's always seemed to be a reserved kind of actor, not wanting to risk his body because of his age, but in "Titus" he's on the ground, climbing, freaking out, moving, the whole deal! Incredible! But, this is Shakespeare, so sit back and relax for 2+ hours of big words and actors talking so fast you've got to backtrack. I think Taymor's only flaw is that she put too much emphasis on the costumes and scenery - I know it's what won all the awards - but it just gets too much in the end. It's almost sensory overload for your eyes. Eliot Goldenthal's score, however, is a feast for your ears! He mixes jazz, classical, and opera all in one score - fantastic. To sum it up, "Titus" is a stylish bloodbath (oxymoron?) with the true Shakespeare enviroment, even down to the asides, where the actors look right into the camera and into your eyes. "Titus" makes you feel uncomfortable at times with violence, dazzle your senses through sight and sound - and may even make you feel dirty...incredible how a bard over 500 years ago could do that even today.
Rating:
Summary: Completely stunning - for better or worse
Review: Not to be (overly) rude, but I think some people are cut out for this film and some aren't. It's not a popcorn-munching film that you sit down to watch with your wife because Anthony Hopkins and Alan Cumming are your favorite actors; it's not - as all have heard - a traditionally filmed, straightforward Shakespearean production; it is not for people who do not like, or at least know, Shakespeare. Some of the complaints I have heard about this movie are: that it is too violent, that it was disappointing that the screenplay was taken from the actual text of Titus Andronicus, that the anachronistic touches - or "smatterings", depending on who you are - were ridiculous... and to those people I can just say one thing: sorry. Seeing a Julie Taymor production requires imagination on the part of the viewer - if you've seen her production of "The Lion King", that's something you already know. You have to walk into the movie - or the show - with the attitude that what you are going to see is a show, it is an artistic interpretation. It is certainly - at least in this case - NOT a straightforward reading from "Titus Andronicus", a few cuts to make it fit on a two and a half hour disc, some banal sets and strong performances. In a way, if there weren't a few people that hated this movie, I'd be... worried? By the first time I saw this movie, I had already heard of it's quasi-legendary violence, it's "ridiculous" juxtoposition of the first and third millenium. This is a VERY violent movie, and if you can't deal with violence, take my word that it is indeed a good movie, but don't see it. There's a difference between a violent movie and a bad movie. It's almost frustrating that some of the films more harsh critics (the general public) couldn't see the second disk of Titus before throwing it to the wayside, a disk on which both Taymor and the actors explain their individual motivation in their part and, more importantly, Taymor's cut. For those who think that Titus is merely stylized violence, know that there is MUCH more to Titus than meets the eye. The performances in Titus are fantastic. The images are vivid and haunting (Lavinia looks much better WITH hands and a tongue...)... and for those that think that Taymor's interpretation is sick, know that the story itself was written by Shakespeare. The hand-chopping, tongue cutting, etc, was not her idea. I'm sorry if some think that it's too realistic, but don't we see movies - as opposed to plays - when we WANT to see something more realistic (set-wise at least)? I think Titus is quite something. Yes it's in Shakespearean English, but as long as you know that going into the movie and have read Shakespeare before, you shouldn't have any trouble... or much at least. The voices are very, very clear, and the lines are very rarely awkward, which in a modern movie of a Shakespeare production, is a rare thing (see "Romeo and Juliet"). Believe me, this movie is very unorthodox, as you will notice from the very first minute, but stand back, look at the style - both the visuals AND the acting - and, at the very very least, give it the artistic credit it is due. It is ENJOYABLE to watch, and a movie I would happily own.
Rating: 
Summary: DISGUSTING!!!!!
Review: THis movie was disgusting!! If you don't have a strong stomach I would advise you to stay away from this movie. Plus, if you don't understand Shakespeare too much you might get lost in the story. THe acting and the directing was good, but I didn't think the movie was good. There were too many questions in my mind at the end of the movie. If you don't know the story, than figure out the story before you watch this. I'm still creeped out by how real this movie seemed.
|
