Traditional Macbeth story with its own flare and gorgeous cinematography.

Rating: 9/10 (24 October 2015)

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing."
It is about damn time we have gotten a Shakespeare adaptation that's worth talking about. And let me tell you, Macbeth IS worth talking about.
I've always been intrigued by the story of Macbeth. The dramatization of the damaging physical and psychological effect on those who seek power just to be powerful is something many can relate to or have experienced. Not in the way of killing to be King, but something smaller and relative.
So when I found out who was involved in the movie I automatically became intrigued. Let's face it the last few attempts of adapting the story Macbeth haven't exactly gone very well, or any of Shakespeare's plays for that matter, although Polanski definitely made a solid effort. (Hahaha. I say effort because yeah, I totally could have done better ðŸ˜‚). Anyway tangent averted. Then when I found out the director was nominated the Palme d'Or, basically the highest honor at Cannes film festival, my excitement spiked. After finally viewing it I can see why. The direction in this movie is flawless. I mean, everything fits perfectly, the tone never shifts and is consistent throughout. Every scene advances the story into the right direction and the cinematography is gorgeous, which I'll get to in a moment.
I was definitely a huge fan of the way the movie's narrative structure takes hold and its advancements in the story. As I said every scene does advance the story but not by leading into one another and more so just skipping to certain points. It works like a play would, jumping from act to act. It was more a story focusing on the main points. First is the battle where he meets the witches. Then the scene where kills King Duncan. Leading to his reign as King. Then to the death of Lady Macbeth. And finally ending with his death. It's a narrative style that makes sense to the story and a way of leaving out all the pointless scenes that would just add pacing problems. Thus making the movie a suitable length. I would have likes a little more screen time for Marion Cotillard and really utilize the character of Lady Macbeth. I also wish Macbeth's descent into madness was focused on a little bit more, they touched the surface but they never really delve deep. Just 2 minor nitpicks that could have been avoided.
Speaking of the length of the movie. It clocks in at 113 minutes and let me tell you it was one of the fastest 113 minutes of my life. An hour had passed and it felt like it had only recently started. When a movie can do that you know it's doing something right.
Now onto the cinematography. This, The Assassin and Sicario so far are the three most beautifully shot movies I've seen all year, and we probably won't see better. Not only are the shots of this Scottish landscape breathtakingly gorgeous but the angles on which they are filmed are just phenomenal. When it comes to the basic landscape it's nothing we haven't seen before with movies such as King Arthur, Kingdom of Heaven etc. but it certainly has its own flare that sets it apart. I'm speaking specifically of the final battle, literally one of the most stunning scenes I've seen in a LONG time, and I've seen Mad Max: Fury Road. The colors used and the angles it is shot has it drenched in atmosphere thematic or, poetic, to the situation. Just watch it, you'll know what I'm talking about.
There's not really much to talk about when it comes to script and performances. Fassbender was electric as always and Cotillard really brought the emotion and impact of her atmosphere, we could feel the grim and dark world she had become a part of. The screenplay was also fantastic very poetic as you'd expect but it really fits the situation. Nothing ever felt forced or out of place. It has the basic Shakespeare dialogue. It's spoken in old English, not modernized, something most recent adaptations fear or doing. So I give praise for balsiness and effort.
To sum up real quick. Beautiful landscape cinematography, originality in the directors style, although it follows the typical Macbeth story Kurzel really made it his own. Spectacular performances and immense atmosphere. Definitely one to watch when it reaches theaters near you. And if you had any doubts on the upcoming Assassin's Creed movie erase them. We might finally get the video game adaptation we all deserve.