Review of Romeo + Juliet (1996) by Iamninja27 — 24 Jul 2015

Watching this film again years later, I decided to post my thoughts on it. There are several things I enjoy about this film...in concept. The juxtaposition of old English Shakespearen within a modern setting, while not revolutionary, was interesting.

This film has a great cast of actors, less Daynes. And the set pieces are interesting to the eye. I think some people took this all a little too seriously. The negatives, however, do weigh in. Daynes not only doesn't pull off the "look" of Juliet, but she's wooden in her performance.

Bare in mind she was only 16-years-old. The action sequences (because they substitute swordplay with gunplay) don't entirely make sense. Some of the music simply does not hold up. Okay, most of the music.

But the biggest issue is simply in the execution. They go too far, too over-the-top, too flamboyant for any of it to be remotely believable. It doesn't work. Good concept, not executed well. But I'd still rate this an average 5/10, if not just for cultural significance and nostalgia.

Shut off your brain for a little bit and enjoy it for what it is.