I catched this on TV and I didn't see it on its entirety. I did not read the original play and can not comment on the movie's integrity to the original. For both reasons my judging of this movie can only be clouded.
Having said this little disclaimer, I believe the negative comments seen on this page had lots to do with not realizing that this film is deliberately anachronistic, in a kind of "roma aeterna" alternate history setting. It is deliberately shocking with its use of modern imagery, which is visually reminiscent of such movies as Mad Max, in order to suggest a dystopia where everything acquires a sense of tragedy and not a lot of hope is to be expected.
Anthony Hopkin's performance was excellent, especially on the dinner offered to Tamora and the Emperor. Soundtrack was fittingly powerful.
The movie has some drawbacks namely some very boring scenes ( like the last scene ) and also the use of Shakespearean language which seems unfit in a modern setting. This is a problem facing similar movies such as Romeo and Juliet : the dialogue has absolutely nothing to do with the setting. I would think you either make a movie according to the original play and with the intended settings or you fully adapt it into modern times, by updating the dialogues and expressions but keeping the storyline. Shakespeare's plays, like those of all great world masters, are intemporal stories involving the same emotions modern people have. Why not then update it into a contemporary time ?
This sort of uneasy mix is too arty and pretentious.
Having said this little disclaimer, I believe the negative comments seen on this page had lots to do with not realizing that this film is deliberately anachronistic, in a kind of "roma aeterna" alternate history setting. It is deliberately shocking with its use of modern imagery, which is visually reminiscent of such movies as Mad Max, in order to suggest a dystopia where everything acquires a sense of tragedy and not a lot of hope is to be expected.
Anthony Hopkin's performance was excellent, especially on the dinner offered to Tamora and the Emperor. Soundtrack was fittingly powerful.
The movie has some drawbacks namely some very boring scenes ( like the last scene ) and also the use of Shakespearean language which seems unfit in a modern setting. This is a problem facing similar movies such as Romeo and Juliet : the dialogue has absolutely nothing to do with the setting. I would think you either make a movie according to the original play and with the intended settings or you fully adapt it into modern times, by updating the dialogues and expressions but keeping the storyline. Shakespeare's plays, like those of all great world masters, are intemporal stories involving the same emotions modern people have. Why not then update it into a contemporary time ?
This sort of uneasy mix is too arty and pretentious.