Shakespeare might not be Impact's usual stomping ground, but as cult director Joss Whedon's take on the Bard hits DVD we make Much Ado about his efforts...
During the time that Joss Whedon was not directing and editing the mighty Avengers movie - released last year and which went on to break many cinematic records and impress most of the critics - his idea of quiet 'downtime' was to make another film. Obsessive Compulsive much?
Admittedly Much Ado About Nothing may not have the blockbuster credentials of the superhero outing, but this beloved play by William Shakespeare was much-anticipated. It's hardly the first time the play has made it to the screen, but here Whedon populates his contemporary setting with an ensemble cast of players that action and drama fans will clearly recognise. Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse, Person of Interest) is Beatrice, Alexis Denisof (Buffy, Angel, Highlander) is Benedick with Fran Kranz (Dollhouse) as Claudio and Sean Maher (Firefly) as the duplicitous Don John.
The familiar names continue with roles for Nathan Fillion (Castle), Rex Diamond (Bones/The Mentalist), Clark Gregg (Marvel's Agents of SHIELD), Ashley Johnson, Tom Lenk (Buffy) and even Impact's old friend David Fury cutting the rug as a party guest. Filmed over two weeks at Whedon's own home, the adaptation works fantastically well. When Shakespeare is done well and with real love - rather than the dry and stale way it is sometimes taught in schools by the less engaged - it is an engaging, dramatic and fun as any big-budget romp and it's clear that Whedon's regular play-readings with his casts have paid off with all the main cast seemingly effortlessly slipping into the roles in a tale of love, betrayal, hi-jinks and romantic entanglements.
After a limited cinematic release and appearances at such events as the Bradford Film Festival, the film hits DVD this month and it works on several levels above the inevitable 'spot-the-star' casting. Yes, in many ways it's an outrageous comedy of high-jinks and mistaken identities (this is Shakespeare after all - and Whedon even pulls some gender-switching of his own, making the character of Conrade a woman - played by Riki Lindhome). But it's also a story of honour besmirched, plots afoot and highh emotion as agendas are revealed. In fact, anyone wanting to see that revenge is far from a modern plot pivot need only see Stratford-Upon-Avon's favourite son at work.
There's clearly something about this play and its mix of comedy and drama that keeps attracting well-known performers. Keanu Reeves, Kenneth Baranagh, Emma Thompson, David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton have all appeared in modern screen versions and it's a regular favourie with audiences.
Definitely worth catching whether your a Whedon fan or not, this is more proof that the director cna turn his hand to almost anything and that he surrounds himself with some very versatile and talented people who clearly love the material and the opportunity to have some fun with it.
Olden language, modern setting? Hey, Nonny Nonny YES.
Much Ado About Nothing is released by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment and is out now...
Review score: 9 out of 10
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