Review of Hamlet (1996) by Walter M — 28 Oct 2008

[font=Century Gothic]Even with countless versions and having personally witnessed my tenth grade English teacher flog it to death, there is still much to admire in Kenneth Branagh's lavishly produced adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The least of which is the large and talented cast which is a mix between Branagh's regulars(including Derek Jacobi and Brian Blessed) and Hollywood cameos. Of which, Charlton Heston and Billy Crystal especially impress.(Yeah, I'm amazed, too.) Despite rarely leaving the ornate throne room, the movie gets past its theatrical roots by not only focusing on the present, but on the past where Prince Hamlet(Kenneth Branagh) remembers better times, giving emotional potency to the 'Alas, Poor Yorick' speech. And it is not Hamlet's reluctance for revenge that causes the tragedy but a singularly rash act. Regardless, he has no options. Once his father's ghost(Brian Blessed) appears, there can be no other course of action. So, one of the play's themes is the weight that a younger generation bears from its parents. Also, remember that Ophelia(Kate Winslet) is prohibited early on by her father, Polonius(Richard Briers), from seeing Hamlet who she loves. All of which is set in the foreground while Fortinbras(Rufus Sewell) is on the march in the background[/font].

[font=Century Gothic]And to close, I will point out that this is not the first time that Derek Jacobi has played a character named Claudius.[/font].