One of the most brilliant and stunning movies, ever.

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2006)

Having seen this movie when it first came out in 1996, I immediately went out and bought it. I just watched in again today on HBO, a pleasant surprise to see it again. I can't get over how clever and brilliant this movie was done. Everything from the casting to the cinematography blows me away. John Liuguizama as Tybalt was just insane. He played the hell out of that role. No one could have done a better job than he. He prowled on the screen, like the Prince of Cats that he is and all eyes were on him.I also really dug the fact that both set of kinsmen were totally different from each other. The Capulets were dark haired, Spanish looking men-reminded me of gang members in east L.A. and the Montagues were fair-skinned and kinda punk rock looking. Stark contrasts to each other but equally as deadly with words and weapons.
My biggest gripe has always been the casting of Claire Danes as Juliet. I always felt that Juliet should be physically stunning-my choice would have been Keira Knightly. But, she did balance both the innocence and impulsiveness of a lovesick teenager with the heartbreaking realism of true love and romance.So, I guess she was OK. DiCaprio really was the star of this movie. His intensity, passion and tenderness shone brightly from beginning to end. The last scenes in the church between Romeo and his wife at her"wake" are the most beautiful, sweet, loving shots on film. Especially when he puts the ring back on her finger- so raw and pure. There are so many other things I could say about this movie-but it is kind of hard to put it all in words. I'll just keep those to myself. But I do thank all the people who made it possible for the rest of us to enjoy a truly lovely and heartbreaking movie. I will always love this movie and if in a hundred years they try to re-make it, it wouldn't even come close.