Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book!
Review: I was assigned to read "Much Ado About Nothing" for my block class, and my initial thought was, Oh, how boring. I don't want to read Shakespeare. I won't even be able to understand it. Let me tell you, I was very wrong! This book was excellent- one of the best I've ever read. It contained romance, humor, comedy, and drama- so many diverse qualities that I rarely find in books these days! The main characters, Beatrice and Benedick, add humor and warmth to the book. They argue and insult each other, yet they are really in love. Hero and Claudio are the lovebirds, but the evil Don John tries to get in the way of this with a deceitful plan. Even though this book was written centuries ago, the main themes still apply to today, (such as the Beatrice and Benedick theme). That is why this book is a classic. Oh, and understanding it isn't a problem, either. This was my first Shakespeare book ever (I'm only 14), and I understood the plot, characters, and the theme. I enjoyed it at the same time. So order this book today. You won't regret it!
Rating: 
Summary: Only one weak link...
Review: ... and that's Keanu Reeves. However, he plays the villain, so you're supposed to despise him and his mannerisms. Excellent casting idea. (Another great bit of casting is Denzel Washington as the Prince; so nice to see a black man in Shakespeare who isn't Othello. Denzel's quite princely, I might add.)Anyway, this movie is absolutely hilarious. I could watch over and over the scenes where Benedick and Beatrice are fooled into thinking each loves the other. The Italian countryside is simply gorgeous, by the way.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly Brilliant!
Review: This is arguably the most fantastic film adaptation of what is perhaps the greatest comdedic play ever to come from the pen of Shakespeare. The very name symbolizes the impetus of what drives the plot of the best comedies: much ado about nothing. So many times, we humans let the most trivial of circumstances get out of hand and we let ourselves jump to unwarranted conclusions that are based on emotion rather than logic. Although this film is hilarious, it is also morose in a way; the veracity of its depiction of how matters of the heart can get so twisted is nothing less than remarkable. It is little wonder that the infamous sad face mask of theatre symbolized the comedic genre for the ancient Greeks. As Hamlet would say, "That it should come to this." This production features splendid performances from top notch actors suchs as Kenneth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Denzel Washington and Emma Thompson. The one casting downfall is the inclusion of Keanu Reeves with this elite band of actors. Expecting Reeves to blend in with the likes of Branagh, Washington and Keaton is like placing someone off the street into the starting lineup of a playoff-calibre NBA team and believing that he won't "stick out." Am afraid it just doesn't work that way. Not to worry, however. Even though Reeves is arguably the worst actor on the planet, even he can't ruin this film. In fact, he is not even able to prevent it from being a 5 star effort. It's just too bad that the great Branagh sold out and casted Reeves with the efficacy of getting a broader audience for this movie. I can't think of any other plausible reason that he would get a part as anything more than an extra. With the possible exception of Goethe, Shakespeare possesses an understanding of human nature which went far beyond anyone else who has ever lived. Watch this movie to laugh.......and to learn. For ambitious viewers, I would recommend the background books and Shakespeare essays written by Harold Bloom and Peter Saccio. There are few things in life as gratifying as participating in the literary world of William Shakespeare.
Rating:
Summary: A convivial adaptation.
Review: As a film buff and a language lover, I have a distaste for "filmed plays." If I can't see the play, I'd rather read the original text (in some cases, even when a live theatrical production is available). Shakespeare on film works best for me when his language is not merely enlivened by, but translated into, purely cinematic terms (egs. "My Private Idaho," "Forbidden Planet," "Ran"). Having said that, I must admit that Branagh's adaptation of Shakespeare's theater piece (in the trade, they call it "opening up" the play) is remarkably successful. As is his custom, he shrewdly infuses the film with abundant images of flesh, pretty scenery, and familiar Hollywood stars. But, most importantly, neither Beatrice nor Benedict gets overshadowed in the colorful mix. Perhaps the most subtle, yet distinctive, twist in this version is the timely "feminist" slant Branagh gives to the story of two ambivalent, quarreling lovers by presenting it through Beatrice's point of view. He begins the film with Beatrice reciting the song lyrics that appear midway through Shakespeare's play. Then the camera cuts to a close-up of the very words Beatrice is reading, followed by a seque to the arrival of Benedict and company. The song is reprised at the midway point where B and B are tricked into declaring their love for each other, and then saved for Branagh's spectacular conclusion--an epithalamion featuring the entire company of actors transformed into a dancing, singing community as seen from a spectacular aerial shot. If you don't mind filmed plays, this is certainly one to own. In fact, it's as close to a real "movie" as this respectful an approach to Shakespeare's language is likely get.
Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Something...
Review: Of the Shakespeare books I have read, Much Ado About Nothing is one of my favorites for several reasons. First of all, the notes on the bottom of each page were useful because I didn't have to take time to search for archaic words in a dictionary. When trying to read a long play, stopping to look up words every 5 minutes or so can be quite annoying. Secondly, this book had an intriguing plot. Although I do not clearly understand the motives of the cruel Don John, his plan to destroy the happiness of Claudio and Hero is quite clever. Furthermore, I found Beatrice and Benedick's relationship somewhat bizarre, it quickly transforms from hate to love with no logical reason. My favorite scenes of the play featured the characters Dogberry and Verges. I thought their constant confusion was quite amusing. Overall, I'd say reading this play is very worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: I've never been a real Shakespeare enthusiast, but this movie is definitely worth watching! Kenneth Branaugh, Emma Thompson, and Denzel Washington are fabulous; and I just can't get enough of Michael Keaton. I'm kind of lukewarm on my opinions of Keanu Reeves, but I felt he was out of his element in this movie - it's just not his "Speed". Overall, it was a great movie, even my 10-year-old loves watching it and reciting Shakespeare at such a young age!
Rating:
Summary: Great Fun
Review: This is a fast-paced delightful comedy, full of the bawdiness and zest for living associated with Elizabethan England. If you enjoy Shakespeare, Branaugh and the incomparable Emma Thompson, you should love this film. Some say it isn't as good as Henry V...but I feel that is an unfair comparison. Henry V is dark drama; Much Ado About Nothing is light comedy. A fairer comparison these days is with "A Midsummer's Night Dream" with Calista Flockhart. The latter film was entertaining, but I haven't had the desire to see it again...but Much Ado About Nothing has born repeated viewings for a number of years. Try this one...it is a timeless work well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific interpretation
Review: Branagh's interpretation of the Bard's famous comedy is a rocking good time from beginning to end. He captures the liveliness and delicate hilarity of the original text without falling into the "holier-than-other-literature" abyss that many Shakespearean films descend into. Branagh is brilliant as Benedick, while Thompson gives the performance of a lifetime as Beatrice. The supporting ensemble, excepting Keanu Reeves, is equally talented.
Rating:
Summary: Problems? Yes, but I love it still.
Review: I loved this movie. Loved it. Every last moment of it. When it first came to theaters, I saw it three times. I went first with my best friend. We loved it. LOVED it. But no big story there... Two Shakespeare loving friends go to Shakespeare movie and love it. Shocker. For viewing number two, I dragged my mom and sister to the theater with me. We loved it. LOVED it. But, again, no big shocker, even though it was my sister's first Shakespeare experience. She was 13 at the time, but together we'd seen other films based on classics. I knew she'd adore it. And as for Mom, she's a teacher. 'Nough said. Viewing three was a tougher sell. I dragged along my boyfriend. *Ahem* Yes, believe it or not, I managed to get even my sports obsessed boyfriend to a Shakespeare film. You may now throw roses at my feet. He also loved it. LOVED it. So, in short, even though Keanu Reeves stuck out like a sore thumb (physically speaking, in look and in action, he was perfect, but his delivery was weak), and I would have liked to have seen more ethnic diversity (rather than just, TA-DA! Here's Denzel!), and I could not find a single child extra anywhere in the villa (where were they hiding the kids? You'd think there'd be at least one...), I LOVED this film. Yes, I love Shakespeare anyway, but the setting was so beautiful, and the acting so brilliant (with one small exception) that this has become one of my favorite movies of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Shakespeare, but not a great movie.
Review: Having read the reviews here, I figured the DVD version of 'Much Ado about Nothing' would be a great purchase. But, it's really just a glorified Shakespearean play. Now, I'm not saying that I don't like Shakespeare--I'm simply saying that it doesn't adapt well as a full length movie. Granted, the actors and actresses do play their parts well. But if you can get past the Shakespearean language, you'll still find a very simple plot with a few holes left out. I'd think it would be much better if they had added a few more detailed transistions to help the story along. But since they are following a script for a stage play, the transistions are very abrupt, and not always fully explained. If you like Shakespeare, I'm sure you'd enjoy this adaptation, but if just want to see a GOOD movie, this is not the one to watch.
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