Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Effort
Review: Like another reviewer, I too was vaguely dissatisfied on first viewing, but found the gem of enjoyment with this film comes with additional viewings. While it may not be effortless in execution, for an all-but-dead-art-form revival it is exceptional. Few of the tunes are out of place (the only one which, after a while, is a bit jarring is the "Fancy Free" segment, as it doesn't seem to flow from the set and story as much, and showcases a water-dance segment which unashamedly uses an obvious video-reversal to extend a cut.) Most of the tunes are very well executed, and the orchaestration (especially on "Face the Music" and the show-stopping, tear-jerking "Can't Take That Away From Me") is superb. Nathan Lane steals the scenes he is in with his impeccable comic timing (something Branagh shares with him, although he has far fewer opportunities here by virtue of the script.) He always knows the right look, the right little gesture to put in with each line. In short, a comic romp of a musical to be enjoyed, and not too much dissected - so I heartily recommend it to anyone open to the experience (another lost art, when the art itself is lost, is the ability of people to enjoy the art.) For Branagh fans it is a must. For musical fans(especially the tin-pan alley type) it is enjoyable. For Shakespeare fans.... well, it's interesting. For fans of all three, it's exceptional.
Rating: 
Summary: Not lost at all !!!
Review: This film has several strong points. First and foremost, it is FUN. It isn't a perfectly faithful recitation of the play but the Shakespearian spirit is perfect. The plot is light and always has been, even Shakespeare didn't make this one complex. And there are no big surprises because we've known for 400 years how the story ends and Branagh didn't change that -- but he does give a little twist to the ending and there are several interesting twists and interpretations throughout including framing the story within news headlines. And setting the story in the 1930-1940s is a great device for making the film more accessible to modern audiences, in fact, this is probably the most accessible Shakespeare film that I have ever seen. (If you like this 30's effect, try Richard III with Ian McKellen -- very different but equally good I think.) And as if that weren't enough... The dancing and music are WONDERFUL -- I guarantee that you will be singing in your head (or out loud if you have more talent than me) when the film is over. The song selection was full of classics that you will recognize from other settings and they were made to fit well in LLL. The dancing was beautifully choreographed and well executed. Both the singing and dancing required really versatile actors -- this had to have been fun and challenging to do. Lastly, the sets and costumes were stunning and effective. The visual effect of the film is very memorable. The use of color is especially nice. How could it have been better? I don't know.
Rating:
Summary: I like a Gershwin tune, how about you?
Review: As to being a fan of Kenneth Branagh's interpretation of Shakespeare and the classic Hollywood musical, I confess both. This acknowledged preference leaves me predisposed to enjoy this film. And yet, on first viewing, I found myself vaguely dissatisfied. I wasn't "bowled over" the same way I was by "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Hamlet." I missed all of those great location shots and sweeping vistas. Where were the castles? Where was the sense of importance? Thankfully, I gave the film a second viewing and I came to realize that "Love's Labor's Lost" is not only Shakespeare filmed as a 1940's Hollywood musical, but it is filmed in the style of a 1940's Hollywood musical. All action takes place on a sound stage, and all the colors are primary. It's not meant to look real the way "Henry V" looks real. At this realization, I settled back and thoroughly enjoyed the film. I liked it even better on the third viewing when I pulled out my book and followed along with the play. The tunes do an amazing job of capturing the missing dialog and forwarding the play. This film has an amazing collection of tunes, with George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin posthumously collaborating, each contributing their finest work. While there is not a Gene Kelly among them, all of the actors are surprisingly capable triple threats. Alessandro Nivola has a very nice voice, and Adrian Lester shows them all what dancing is during "I've Got a Crush on You." Nathan Lane is great, of course, and Timothy Spall plays a very funny Don Armado (who gets to sing "I Get a Kick Out of You"). Natascha McElhone is a stand out among the ladies, and Alicia Silverstone is surprisingly no Keanu Reeves. The ending of this film is the real prize. The cast sighs their way through "They Can't Take That Away from Me" looking as "Casablanca" as they can get. For a Shakespeare comedy, it is quite a melancholy ending. You this way, we that way. Finally, as the successful mark of a musical, I have been humming these tunes for weeks. "Take a lesson from me, I'd rather Charleston..."
Rating:
Summary: A delightful and wholly original version of Shakespeare
Review: Kenneth Branagh is easily one of the finest living actors and directors, and this under-rated, neglected little masterpiece is proof thereof. The musical numbers fit perfectly in theme as well as timing in the play, and successfully advance the story line and characters. He pays homage to Casablanca, Fred and Ginger, Esther Williams, Maurice Chevalier, and Bob Fosse, and Patrick Doyle's original soundtrack is one of his best. Even the casting lends the movie the youthful exuberance that young people in love embody. I have watched this DVD at least ten times and I cannot help but smile every time.
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best, but still entertaining
Review: No, this isn't Henry V, or Much Ado, both of which probably stand as Branagh's best movies. But it's a lot of fun, if you can manage to relinquish a little cynicism and treat the movie as a homage to an earlier type of movie. Plus, in my opinion, the few bits that are just *too* cheezy are easily balanced by great moments. Branagh: "Worthies, away; the scene begins to cloud." Probably a movie best suited to Branagh fans, of which I am one, or people who are buffs of old movies. It's not for the viewer who can't let go of the present a little bit and go with the logic of the musical.
Rating: 
Summary: absolutely unbearable
Review: Save your money. This is by far the worst adaptation of a Shakespearean play I have ever seen. Don't even rent it. Don't even THINK about renting it. Kenneth Branaugh should be ASHAMED to put his name to it. Lord knows I would be. This is below drivel. This is sub-drivel. This is even worse than his adaptation of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Who keeps greenlighting these projects? Kenneth Branaugh is a highbrow 'Kevin Costner', somebody whose incredibly expensive productions continuously flop yet mystifyingly go on in an uninterrupted string of cinematic shamelessness and mediocrity. One seems to beget another, and so on, and granted, in the entire corpus of his work there are occasional flashes of brilliance, but out of hundreds of hours of celluloid, there's bound to be SOMETHING worthwhile and original hidden beneath the hammy performances, gross misinterpretations, inept direction and equally inept cinematography. Branaugh clearly fancies himself to be the heir to the mantle of Olivier and Gielgud, when he is more in league with Charlie Chaplin (though even that comparison is a gross offense to the sparkling and charming wit of Chaplin, which contrasts with the tired neo-slapstick borefest that comprises most of Branaugh's comedic work). Go see Julie Taymor's TITUS. You should. It's great, and you didn't see it when it was in theatres, and that's why it flopped over here in America. So go. Now. Rent it. Or else buy it. Really. I mean it.
Rating:
Summary: It's a solution, anyway.
Review: The original play is sort of the "Finnegans Wake" of the Shakespeare canon: an avalanche of dated puns and contemporary satirical references that is going to be just about impenetrable to a modern audience. It was probably written for a very specific audience which would get all the jokes, but we, without footnotes at least as copious as the text, are simply lost. A "straight" production must rely heavily on that old technique of "if we laugh hard enough, the audience will have to join in", which can quickly grow mighty tedious. So chopping the text and story down to their bare bones, and going for slick entertainment value (as per original intent, no doubt), is probably as good a solution as any. If the effect is merely cute, that hardly represents a betrayal of the Bard, in the case of this play. One hopes, though, that Brannagh will get back to some more substantial Shakespeare at some point. The "Henry V" and "Hamlet" films are really interesting, agree with them wholly or not.
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare Swings
Review: Kenneth Branagh introduces his audience to a fresh and sexy side of Shakespeare. He has turned a rather obscure and rarely performed play into a 30's style musical. The melding of song and dance, with the Bard's poetic style is a natural. A rare treat, even if you are not a fan of Shakespeare, you'll love this one.
Rating:
Summary: Done in the best Hollwood style
Review: This movie is made in homage to all those musicals of the 30's & 40's that Hollywood churned out and gave to the world. The acting balances on the knife edge of Shakespeare and ham. The singing is adequate to good. The dancing is OK. Mixed all together, you get the perfect mixture, where each element, while not brilliant, adds to the whole. If you remember those old musicals, you will be able to see how well this has been done. A delightful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This was a truly fantastic movie that had the entire audience in my theater laughing. After the film ended, everyone left with a smile on their face and (literally) dancing in their steps. I sat down to see it after a long, frustrating day. Almost immediately, this film made me feel wonderful. It is lighthearted, romantic (even somewhat sensual) and engaging. Such a surprise for a Branagh film!! Tremendously approachable Shakespeare, without cheapening the product. The film takes a truly creative and fresh-air approach that allows the audience to get over the (huge) intellectual obstacles of Alicia Silverstone performing Shakespeare AND singing. Choices of music are inspired and uplifting, particularly "Let's Face the Music," "Heaven" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me."
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