Lurhmann goes John Woo in this terribly over-the-top film. Watch the classic '67 version instead.

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 1999)

Leo, as Romeo seems like he's at a recital and the others aren't much better(he can act- see Gilbert Grape). The Franco Zefferelli version walks all over this disaster. It was never a good idea. The actors are not convincing, and the language is not convincing in this setting. Luhrmann and Craig Pearce obviously thought they were being smart by using Shakesperean language in a modern setting, but it comes off pretentious and unintentionally hilarious. The characters of Mercucio, Tybalt(the surprisingly solid John Leguizamo) and Friar Lawrence(unde- rrated Pete Postlethwaite) are OK, but Paul Sorvino and Brian Dennehy are wasted, and most of the dialogue is shouted (particularly the opening scene) making much of it incoherent when not downright stupid. Leo is awful(girls don't e-mail me with your hate mail!-Unless you're good lookin'!), but Claire Danes is almost passable (she's no match for Olivia Hussey). Too much flash and noise.