Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Gnomeo and Juliet...............................A Rose by Any Other Name

Gnomeo and Juliet
G

This is a real break out movie for me as it is still in the theater.  (chuckling in a bit embarrassed manner) It totally figures it would be animated as I pretty much only get to see movies I take the kids to see.  In this case it was for my youngest's birthday.  But that's okay cause this was a fun film.

Gnomeo and Juliet, voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, are garden gnomes that live in rival gardens.  The Red Hats and the Blue Hats have been feuding for as long as anyone can remember. Of course, you pretty much know how the rest of the story goes.

Yes this is a kids' film but there is plenty here for the accompanying parent to enjoy.  Shakespeare quotes, and not all from Romeo and Juliet, are woven through the entire script and it is fun to try and find them.  If you are better educate than I turned out to be, it would also be fun to figure out which plays they are from.

Some of Britain's best stars turned up to do voices.  In addition to James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, there is Maggie Smith, Micheal Caine, Jason Straham, Ozzy Osborne, Julie Andrews, Patrick Stewart, and Dolly Parton.  Yeah, that last one isn't British but she sure does have a recognizable voice.

What to know before viewing


1) Yes, I know the above poster isn't in English. I just thought it was cute.  Here is the translation for those who have an overwhelming need for the English version.  I like the other one better.

2) Tybalt is BAD.  I kept thinking I needed to go back an re-read the play because I didn't remember him being that bad.

3) My biggest disappointment in the film was that James McAvoy's voice didn't turn out to be that distinctive.  Pleasant, yes, but not distinctive.

4) Elton John's music is featured quite prominently here and is a lot of fun.  I love it when they weave existing songs into a story line.

What about the kids?


This is all about the kids.  My youngest got up half way through the film and thanked me for bringing him to see it.  LOL

Currently in theaters and eventually here


Five Stars-  "Loved It"


If you noticed this has gone to video and I have not changed it, please comment and I will fix it.

UPDATED to add- this is now on out on DVD

5 comments:

  1. And here I thought I was the ONLY person on the planet who almost NEVER sees a movie until it comes out on DVD.

    I love this punny title, don't you?

    I find that MOST children's DVDs have TONS of humor that only an adult would "get." That's why I usually LOVE them - - - I can show them to the grans to keep them happy and find lots of chuckles for myself at the same time.

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  2. I am so glad to hear your take on this! I had caught one preview and dismissed the film, but your review has convinced me otherwise. And I love to see trailers on reviews! It's the only time I ever catch them, since we're a netflix only family.

    (Anna from Wit)

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  3. I don't even remember hearing about this one. Will have to see it when it goes to rental. I love these movies that are geared towards kids, but are classics.

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  4. So, I'm sitting here at home, feeling a wee but sorry for myself because today my always working husband was going to take a day off from farming, to hang with me, tomorrow being by bday and all. But then his fire pager (for our local department) went off, and he's been gone all day messing with a grass fire down by the river. (Under control, but still needing to be managed.)

    Instead of feeling sorry for myself another minute, I decided to send the kids outside to play, open a bag of twix and watch a movie. BUT... Nothing was jumping out at me, so, here I am, hoping something jumps out!

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  5. Anna- Hope you found something!!!!

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