I don’t remember Romeo + Juliet coming out in 1996, but I remember hearing of it a few years ago. I also had no idea that this one is a modernization instead of it set in the original time of the play.
As I said, this Romeo and Juliet is not set in the olden days. Nor does it take place in Italy nor any other place in Europe. But rather in the 1990’s in a city known as Verona Beach in America. In the city, the Capulets and the Montagues are constantly fighting each other. However Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet by chance and fall in love at first sight.
Despite their family’s issues, they intend to marry. Despite Juliet being promised by her parents to the Governor’s son. Though even if the Capulets like Romeo, things won’t be easy. Especially when Juliet’s cousin Tybalt decides to cause trouble for Romeo.
Honestly I’ve never liked Shakespeare nearly as much as my English teachers. The “ye olde” speech hurts the story (in my opinion) and despite this movie being set in the 20th century, everyone talks like it was 1597. The new modernization is rather awful, I’m sure they thought they were being “cool” making this one but the scenes with the families of both Romeo and Juliet are either mundane or laughably stupid. Apparently most critics seemed to like it in the 90’s, but I think it’s a literal tragedy.
Score: D+
Neko Random 