Vibrant and energetic...the perfect version for Generation X

Rating: Null/10 (22 August 2000)

Now before I go any further, let me point out that I am at the older end of Generation X. But I certainly understand the MTV generation mentality and understand that this movie taps into it better than any Shakespeare film ever made.
But aside from that, Baz Lurhmann's vision is phenomenal. Sure, it's loud and overblown, but it's also amazingly affecting. I cry when I watch this movie, not because of the story, but because so much love and energy was put into the filmmaking in an attempt to reach a generation who thinks of Shakespeare as being stuffy.
Obviously many going into this movie expecting traditional Shakespeare are going to be sorely disappointed. This is Shakespeare only in name. The poetry, I'll grant you, is often lost in this movie, but to give Lurhmann credit, much of the poetry has been quoted and requoted to the point of cliche. Now for once, R&J is not a walking cliche.
Also, I have to give kudos for the Oscar-nominated art direction/set design. It is eye candy from the first shot to the last.
And for sheer audacity, this movie has no shame (and I mean that in a good way). Who would ever have thought that Mercutio's Queen Mab speech could actually be about ecstacy (X)?
So for the Generation Xers who have never experienced Romeo & Juliet in any way other than reading it in English class, WATCH this movie. It will open your eyes to the world of Shakespeare. To those not of Generation X, don't begrudge us the opportunity to understand Shakespeare in our own way. It's a door opening on the world of Shakespeare, not a door closing on traditionalism.