Leo does Shakespeare. Oh, goody.

Rating: 1/10 (28 January 2000)

I was first introduced to Shakespeare freshman year at high school. Sure, it was a bit tough at first, but I got used to it. Romeo and Juliet was a terrific play. Then came the time in class when we would watch the video adaptations of this play. We spent half the period on the '68 version, then half on this one, which went on for a few days. The '68 version was very well done, and most of the class liked it. Then we watched the "new" one. I didn't know what to expect, but I thought it might be good. Then I see the Montagues cruising the expressway in an open top convertable. OK, so it's in modern times. It might be good. Then I heard them speak. Dear God, what were they thinking?!
I see this fight at a gas station where everyone looks like they're on speed and they shout these Shakespearean lines like they're normal for the time. I should've seen it coming when, instead of a narrator, a news caster does the prologue. Great job. Tip to the writers: if you're going to put Shakespeare in modern times, don't include the original lines. "Draw the sword!" What "sword?" I saw no sword in the movie. I saw some guns. Is this what Shakepeare would call guns nowadays? And do I see news reports and beach parties where people actually speak in blank verse? And let's not forget Leonardo DeCaprio. How much more pathetic can his acting get? I hardly saw any good actors in this movie. I don't know why people would see this as "good" entertainment. Rarely do I ever give a 1 out of 10 to any movie, but this was just plain garbage. If you want to see the real Romeo and Juliet, watch the '68 adaptation. It is much more worthy to be called a work of Shakespeare's.