This movie is something to be appreciated.

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2006)

This best word I can think of to describe this movie is vibrant. The bright colors, vivid scenery and outlandish characterization are trademarks of Luhrmann's style, and I for one think that it is cinematography at its best. He brings us into the world of Shakespeare in a way no one else has. I saw this movie in the theater when I was 11 and it prompted me to buy the play and ever since then I have been in love with it. I appreciate Baz's attempt at aiming the story to a younger audience. You don't find many kids these days (or ten years ago...has it really been that long??) who want to willingly read Shakespeare. The language is complicated and unfamiliar. But the stories are worth knowing, and I think this movie is a step forward in familiarizing Shakespeare to the modern times.
There are plenty of people who disagree with the use to Shakespeare's dialogue in the modern setting. I have argued this point over and over and this is what I have to say to them: It seems that someone who appreciates Shakespeare would want his brilliant words to be used. You see the movie and you think: Baz Luhrmann, you hear the dialogue and you think: William Shakespeare. If you are someone who can't understand Shakespeare, the makers of the film dedicated themselves to finding ways, by using imagery, to decode the language and make it more understandable.
I've often heard complaints about the acting in this movie as well. I for one don't see anything wrong with the acting, and I thought the cast did very well with the difficult dialogue. I've always been a fan of Leonardo Dicaprio. Back when I first saw this movie, it was just because I thought he was cute. But now, I see an actor who plays his roles with intensity and passion. He is the perfect Romeo to me. He portrays the passionate, lovesick lead incredibly well. We see his heart break on the screen when Mercutio is slain, and again when he learns of Juliet's "death." We see his all-consuming rage when he is chasing after Tybalt to avenge his friend's death. We see a boy falling in love with a girl and wanting to be with her for the rest of his life. He goes though all of these emotions seamlessly, and in the end, you really don't want this guy to die.
Claire Danes as Juliet impressed me as well. She has a much less flashy role than Leo, but she brings strong character to the innocent, angelic young woman. My favorite parts with her were when she was alone, speaking to herself. I really thought she did the dialogue very well, and she is often who I think of when I read the play. She handles the emotional stuff with experience, and you are left there wishing you could do something for this girl who goes through so much in such a short time.
My favorite character in the movie has to be Meructio, played by Harold Perrineau. He's loud, flamboyant, and I can't get enough of him when he is on the screen. He even dresses in drag at the costume party where Romeo and Juliet meet, and lip-syncs to "Young Hearts Run Free." He plays the loyal friend with feeling, and it is very disappointing when he meets his end.
This movie definitely isn't for everyone. Some people just can't quite grasp what Luhrmann was trying to accomplish with this movie. He wasn't trying to do a replica of the play or the movies made before it. It's different. It's daring. Some parts might just make you laugh out loud. But the tragedy of the story is still very much there.
In my opinion, this movie is something to be appreciated. It steps out of the norm and pulls you into a world of love and tragedy with its intense delivery and unique portrayal of a timeless story.