An entertaining film, and worth a watch. The Thompson/Brannagh relationship certainly provided the cutting edge and most of the humour (Keaton excepted). The point is that it was written as a play at a time when cinema could not even have been imagined, and you can tell that this could never lace the boots of a well produced stage performance.

if it weren't for Michael Keaton, it wouldn't break 10

One of the best Shakespeare adaptations out there, with Emma Thompson's Beatrice standing out as the definitive rendition of the role.

Even a great film adaptation of shakespeare with a mostly great cast and a truly clear, masterful director with respect for and knowledge of the source material lacks the greatness of a decent stage production. To any and all fans of this movie - if you don't regularly see Shakespeare on stage, see a professional production. Start with this play. That being said this is a great adaptation, one of the best. Keanu Reeves cannot be ignored, however, as he takes a shit on Don John.

Shakespeare, naturally, and nearly as naturally, Branagh. As always with Shakespeare, even without Branagh, there is a period of adjustment. The opening recital of the Hey Nonny, Nonny lyric, with the widely spaced and overarticulated words spelled out on screen in almost a follow-the-bouncing-ball fashion, is meant to make the transition easy, but it's more apt to raise concerns about the envisioned audience: Shakespeare for the groundlings of the Nineties? Shakespeare for schoolchildren only?

I liked it even though I'm a Shakespeare idiot

with very minor edits.

Average adaptation. Branagh is very good.

The story is well told, the cinematography is beautiful and the acting is great overall. Reeves almost ruins it, but Thompson & Brannagh's chemistry more than makes up for his 'performance'.

81.250

"Branagh's highly entertaining and accessible take on one of the Bard's zestiest comedies."

Possibly Branagh's most accessible work, Much Ado is a wonderfully told and executed take on the classic Shakespeare play. All actors, sans Reaves obviously, bring in wonderful performances and while the constant Shakespearean dialogue is sure to turn off some people, it's still a film I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good movie about pure love, romance and betrayal.

Love Thompson so much... fab british ado.