Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet

Hey yo

Two households both alike in dignity in fair Verona, 
Where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to 
new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands 
unclean, From forth the fatal loins of these two 
foes, A pair of star crossed lovers take their life, 
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows doth with 
their death, Bury their parents strife. The fearful 
passage of their death marked love, And the 
continuance of their parents rage, Which but their 
children's end not could remove, Is now the two hours 
traffic of our stage. 

Continuing on with my favorite villain theme, we have Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet.

While I was never a big Shakespeare fan, I've always loved this modern adaptation. Swords become guns with brand names such as 'dagger' and 'sword', Verona, Italy becomes Verona Beach and so on. The dialogue and some minor characters are changed around but the movie is still pretty faithful. I've long been impressed with the editing and cinematography involved in this film. The score is excellent with Gavin Friday, The Cardigans and the recurring Radio Show Host from Radiohead, all featuring. However, my favorite element in this movie is the bad guy - this guy:

Tybalt Capulet, of the Capulet family whom are feuding with the Montagues, is Romeo's arch nemesis. He played with energy and intensity by John Leguizamo. The opening scene in this movie is perhaps my favorite opening scene to any movie. There is the famous prologue coupled with Orff's O Fortuna then we meet some Montague boys at a gas station; enter Tybalt and his henchmen. "Do you bite your thumb at me, sir? Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?" shouts Abra. Biting ones thumb back then is akin to someone flipping the bird these days. 

     

     Romeo's cousin Benvolio tries to defuse the situation and sues for peace. Tybalt has different ideas.

Violence ensues.

     The scene is very well choreographed (except that bit where they jump into real life traffic!) and Tybalt moves and shoots as if he is dancing the tango. Leguizamo plays the villain with relish, hissing venom throughout. Let's face it, Johnny Legs is boss.

    After this scene we get to see Leonardo DiCaprio and  Claire Danes show off their acting chops as the titular roles and they do a good job of it. Harold Perrineau does a great job as Mercutio and there is also very talented supporting actors in Pete Postlethwaite and Paul Sorvino (as Father Laurence and Fulgencio Capulet).

    While I found the final act to be the weakest part of the movie, I think this is a great adaptation - Luhrmann brings Shakespeare to the 90s but does not lose the important aspects to the greatest love story ever told. Lurhmann said he wanted to make a movie as if Shakespeare himself was making it and, given how innovative and creative Shakespeare was, I feel he achieves his goal.

8 vengeful Tybalts out of 10.

El Chico Clandestino