Review of Much Ado About Nothing (2013) by Manny C — 27 Jun 2013

What do you do after you've directed The Avengers, the third highest-grossing film of all time? For director Joss Whedon, you do Shakespeare, and it turns out Whedon and Shakespeare go together wonderfully.

Whedon got some of his best actor pals to his Santa Monica home for a 12-day shoot and made a super low-budget update of the Bard's Much Ado About Nothing---in black and white too. Hardcore Whedon fans (who love his Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Firefly) may find themselves scratching their heads, but Shakespeare aficionados are in for a treat.

Whedon doesn't let a little thing called iambic pentameter trip him up. Sheakespeare has never sounded more alive, or played so vibrantly. Alexis Denisof ans Amy Acker are beyond superb as sharp-tongued sparring partners Benedick and Beatrice.

Nathan Fillion is a terrific scene-stealer as bumbling Dogberry, and Jillian Morgese is loveliness personified as sweet Hero, the bride-to-be for Count Claudio (Fran Kranz, a cutie) until evil Don John (Sean Maher) sullies Hero's reputation.

Threats of death and infidelity threaten love. Need more details see the film, it's a potent rush of romance, mirth and slapstick that plays like the great studio films of old Hollywood, without evading the plays tragic undercurrents.

There's no resisting Much Ado About Nothing, it's funnier and sexier than your English teacher let on.