William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (Special Edition)
by Baz Luhrmann
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Claire Danes, Harold Perrineau, John Leguizamo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pete PostlethwaiteDirector: Baz Luhrmann
Producer: Baz Luhrmann
Writer: Baz Luhrmann
Producer: Catherine Martin
Producer: Gabriella Martinelli
Producer: Jill Bilcock
Writer: Craig Pearce
Writer: William Shakespeare
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-03-12
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (Special Edition)
Movie Review: The greastest love story the world have ever known is given a modern twist that's hard to resist!
Summary: 5 Stars
Out crusin' the busy streets of Verona.
The Montague boys are speeding in their car.
Not a care in the world.
They'd never notice a cluster of police cars
If they were to come up from behind.
Radio blaring and screaming at the top of their lungs.
Their fun has only just begun.
They'll never go home until the setting of the sun.
Never mind the cool wind blowing and the hair in their eyes.
They've got one life to live, so they're going to live it right.
They wont go down without a fight.
There's innocent blood to shed.
And lives to be lost.
Hold on tight you're in for the ride of your life!
Baz is at the helm.
He's got a classic story to tell.
A modern retelling that may keep you guessing.
If you only read parts of it while the teacher was looking.
This stories not over.
It's only just beginning.
Fasten your seatbelts!
Stopping at some pumps to get some fuel.
Man it feels good to wag school.
And behave nonchalantly.
Be disrespectful and act atrociously.
The Montague arch enemies pull up along side.
Be cool and let them be.
Or bight your thumb at them however -
Be prepared to draw your weapons and fight this duel with me.
It's too late the fued has commenced.
There is great unrest.
I fear I may not see my bed tonight.
For I'll be dead instead.
A bullet through the head.
Loathed enemy Tybolt is playing with matches.
To see how fast the petrol catches.
A spark and a fire is lit.
Run for your lives or get back in your cars.
There's no chance of escape.
Once death takes hold of your beating heart.
That'll be it.
It'll all be over.
The streets are ablaze with fire and petrol.
Gangs of families the Capulet's and Montagues
Are the cause of the fued.
Where many young lives are lost years before their time.
Someone must save us before the death toll rises.
And the streets are awash with blood and explosives.
Two families shooting their mouths off at each other with anger.
Biting their thumbs and pulling their guns triggers with vigor.
Someone better save us.
Hell has broken loose in the city streets of Verona.
God help us!
From out of the bright clear blue sky comes a police helicopter.
Like a giant wasp.
Get the spray quick smart.
Oh wait, it's the Prince!
Guns are drawn and cocked.
One false move and a bullet will get ya in a matter of seconds.
Throw your swords to the ground or suffer the concequences.
The swords fall to the road.
The fued is over.
It can go no further.
The helicopters deafening noise causes the families to pause.
No guns are reloaded.
Both families must sit in judgement.
The outcome will be anything but pleasant.
Contempt is the only word for it.
Death to those who attempt another fued like this.
No further questions.
The verdict has been reached.
Court is dismissed.
Later that day Romeo confides in his friend Benvolio
About his love the fair Roseline.
Alas he is out of luck with love for her.
What should he do?
Playing pool and watching the TV too, they both decide what to do.
A ball appears on the screen held at the Mansion of Capulet.
They're not invited but that doesn't matter.
They have connections and contacts.
No one would suspect them with a costume and mask.
They'd stay at the party and not be forced out the exits.
The party is a blast and Romeo forgets his past with Roseline.
His heart has been stolen by Juliet a Capulet.
A despised enemy.
Romeo goes for a spin around the room.
Romeo and Juliet exchange shocked glances.
After kissing and lusting the night away.
Could they be forbidden lovers.
The answer was incomprehensible.
Yes they unfortunately had to be.
Before all of the guests leave.
Romeo decides to flee and climb a tree.
Making his way into the private compounds of the Capulet Mansion.
At last he'd be able to tell Juliet what he had left unspoken.
Their families love may be renewed once they exchange their vows.
No more heated words would need to be spoken.
Once the young lovers kissed and frolicked in the pool.
And they'd said 'I do'.
Friar Lawrence spoke of their need to love moderately.
And not do anything rash.
He hoped they had heard him.
Otherwise their lives would surely end in death and disillusion.
For everything was not at ease in the hot humid sun of Verona Beach.
While Romeo + Juliet were blessed and at peace.
Mercutio was and Benvolio wasted time on the sand.
The situation was quickly becoming out of hand.
And Mercutio was dealt one final fatal blow.
A gash in his side.
There is nowhere to hide.
And as Benvolio keels over in the sand.
Romeo takes his hand.
Close to his ear Romeo hears Murcutio proclaim prophecies.
In a deathly silent whisper that moments before could be heard
in front of gathering crowds.
The clouds roll in.
'A plauge on both your houses'.
He chocks gasping at breath.
And then nothing.
The angels had taken him.
He was heaven sent.
This story will not end happily ever after.
Driving at night Romeo has Tybolt in his sights.
He will pay for taking Murcutio's life.
He'd gone too far.
There was no turning back.
Romeo careers into Tybolt's car at a frightening
break neck speed.
The Prince will not be pleased.
Tybolt's car flips onto it's roof, and glass showered the road.
Things are set to explode...
Light the fuse,
Pull the pin
And watch the chaos unfold.
Romeo loads his gun and in a sudden outbust of rage
He fires at Tybolt.
Tybolt's life is over.
Riddled with bullets he is thrust back into a pool of water.
Once clear now blood red.
Romeo must leave if he is smart.
Or stay and take his chances.
There is only one solution.
Romeo is banished.
He'd better vanish.
Seeking council with Friar Lawrence
The full force of Romeo's actions hit him.
Nothing will work if he begs and pleeds.
Not even if he gets down on his knees.
Romeo's fate is sealed.
If he doesn't take heed.
And disappear.
Romeo goes to Juliet.
His new bride.
A short marriage.
It had been indeed!
For one last night of passion and lovemaking.
All too soon light floods in through the windows.
It can't be morning yet.
Our lovemaking is far from over.
Come on baby.
Turn over.
Coiled together cosy in sheets.
Romeo gives Juliet long sweet kisses of desire.
She'll remember this forever and ever.
It had been a night to remember.
Then down to the streets Romeo dashed.
He hoped he hadn't forgotten his pants.
It'd always be Juliet that he fancied.
Away to Mantua Romeo must stay.
If he wants to live to see another day.
And have his bride reunited with him.
He'd never forget how cute Juliet looked.
In those sexy pink panties!
He'd remember the ring.
'I love thee'.
Those words would always ring true.
To the young couple who committed
the worst, most despicable sin.
But never again.
In a state of distress
Juliet goes to the friar.
Her parents want her to marry
the handsome wealthy Paris.
Juliet is anything but delighted.
She asks to be given remedy.
The Friar has just what she needs.
A fast working liquor that will leave her in a somber state.
Her lids closed four and twenty hours.
Then she'll be woken.
Romeo would be there to greet her.
All she had to do is drink if off after the setting of the sun.
And the plan will take effect.
The past violent occurances will have been nothing but a dream.
It all seemed pretty perfect.
The Friar arrives the following morning to the Capulet's mansion.
Tragedy has beset them.
Things are in total disarray.
Juliet can't possibly get married today!
He finds Juliet in a death like state.
The plan was working.
He'd send letters to Romeo to tell him of their foolproof scheme.
He only prayed that's he'd get them in time.
Before it was too late.
Romeo is visited at Mantua.
But happy news is not what the messenger is implying.
Juliet's life is over.
There was no letter.
Romeo must join her.
He travels back into Verona walls.
He's been spotted by a circling helicopter.
Romeo pays for a vile of poison.
So deadly it will send your temperature soaring.
His blood will be boiling.
Romeo then makes his way to the tomb enterance.
A gun in his hand he takes a prisoner hostage.
Any sudden moves and his brains would be
splattered in an ugly mess on the pavement.
Don't make him use this!
At last Romeo gets to the enterance unscathed.
He hurries inside to be greeted by darkness.
Except for Juliet's tomb.
Thousands of candles had all been lighted.
Romeo's resting place had been decided.
No one would ever spoil the love they shared between them.
After some astute observation of a face
Not yet ravaged by death.
Romeo seals his lips with a kiss.
The poison - He drinks it.
His life will soon be over.
Juliet opens her eyes and grasps Romeo's hand.
But it is too late.
He'd taken the poison.
Romeo's fatal action had been fulfilled.
The poison had worked.
Romeo's life was taken.
His soul was in heaven.
Under lock and key.
In God's possession.
His final sight Juliet's eyes staring back at him.
Oh if only he'd waited.
They'd be together once more.
Juliet could have saved him!
So Juliet takes his gun and points it at her head.
Things will never be the same.
Living a life heartbroken.
She pulls the trigger.
Sayonnara.
Before too long everyone will know.
Of the sad tragic tale of poor Juliet and her Romeo.
Thanks to a man called William Shakespere.
We salute you.
And a man called Baz Luhrmann.
The genius behind the camera.
To create this groundbreaking picture for us.
Of which can never be bettered.
And so it is all ended.
Until the next time we see it.
Summary of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (Special Edition)
Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom) takes a shot at reinventing Shakespeare's story of star-crossed lovers as a visual pastiche inspired by MTV imagery, Hong Kong action-picture clichés, and Luhrmann's own taste for deliberate, gaudy excess. The result is explosive chaos, both in terms of bullets and visual sensibility, which some may find impossible to stick with for more than a few minutes. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes play the leads, though not with much distinction, while Pete Postlethwaite makes a huge impression as this movie's version of Friar Laurence. The film is successful in spots, but overall its fever-dream game plan is difficult to ride out. --Tom KeoghSimilar DVD Movies
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