STORYLINE:  Set in 1301 at the end of Medieval times, VERONA’S ROMEO and JULIET finds our most famous Star-Crossed lovers turning the tides on the history Shakespeare based his own story on, as they reveal the truth to the very future of the Empire. But the biggest twist in this most beloved of tales, is leaving the poetry of Iambic Pentameter in the past, for the original Pop Music that rockets these ever-present themes right to the heart of our characters in the most surprising, and perhaps most powerful way that has ever been seen, or heard, before… The greatest love story of all time, set to the greatest music of our time.  (IMDb)

    Up front confession: I am not a fan of the works of Shakespeare.  Macbeth is the exception to my dislike of these works.  When it comes to film adaptions that trend tends to follow the same pattern. The expections have been 10 Things I Hate Anout You (The Taming if the Shrew) and Anyone but You (Much Ado Abiut Nothing). 

    So why did I sit down to see Juliet & Romeo?  I did not like the reading play nor the watching the classic films.  Yes that includes the Leonardo DiCaprio version.  I had time to kill. At the very least I would get to enjoy my standard popcorn and soda. 

    Ok I had a blast watching this movie.  Wow that was a very pleasant surprise. 

    It was set in the 1300’s. It has all the set pieces and costumes of the time period.  Gone was the dialogue of the time period. In its place was modern day English and lavish musical numbers.  The film is very much in the vein of a Bollywood film. Combine those factors together and this classic story becomes one hell of an entertaining feature film.

   Would this work for every Shakespeare play?  No. It’s like turning every play into a modern day rom com, such as those listed at the start of this blog would not work. However this treatment worked for a Romeo and Juliet. 

   The film was over the top with its mysical numbers and set designs. It played beautifully in the theater. It is a prime example of why I enjoy going to see movies on the biggest screen. 

   In the end I was i was caught off guard with how much I ended up enjoying Juliet and a Romeo. 

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!