VERY funny movie...HIGHLY recommended

Rating: Null/10 (24 August 2004)

First the bad (though not truly bad at all): As I was watching this movie, I immediately knew the story as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This story is definitely not an original piece. In that aspect I was disappointed that credit wasn't given. I would have seen it much sooner if it were the case, because that is my favorite book. They call "10 Things I Hate About You" a modern adaptation of Taming of the Shrew, but for anyone who's read it, the movie barely resembles the story. Bridget Jones's resemblance, however, is so plain and obvious, yet wasn't credited; except on IMDb. Part 2 is sure to prove whether this writer has the ability to originate a plot.
Now the good: The humor was definitely original and HILARIOUS. This movie actually made me laugh out loud... Something that most comedies today can't get me to do. And I'm not a super serious person, on the contrary, I can be a total ham sometimes. But this movies shows how foolish you can look when you're desperate, and this through the person's own private thoughts as written in her diary. It makes for some GREAT comedy. Renée Zellweger does a great job and stays in character wonderfully throughout the movie. While another comment said Colin Firth was wooden, I happen to think differently. His character was quiet and actually somewhat oppressed by his colleague/girlfriend. But I think he did a good job of not letting this slip into cold and cruel. I'm not particularly attracted to him, but after this movie I fell in love (not literally, silly. ^_^). And I have actually watched other movies of his before this... so I'd say he did a great job.

Besides the total jacking of Ms. Austen's masterpiece, I'd say it's rather original comedy. 7 out of 10 for lack of story originality.