Much Ado About Nothing (2013)

How sad is this?

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Well except when they get done like this, like in this case/instance. It's really great to see a movie like this, even if the tag "poor version of the Branagh" movie is not as wrong as it sounds. But it sounds horrible because "poor" is offensive in the context and not literal, which in this case is the truth. Joss Whedon made this in his own backyard, so there is not really a budget involved here (also casting friends, which in this case are also really good actors of course) in the making of the movie.Comparing the two movies wouldn't be fair though (and I think the Branagh version, budget wise alone is winning that comparison), but this is a great interpretation of a Shakespeare story that is well known by now. I can't be mad at a movie that is as good as this is though, especially when the fun the people had making this, translates well onto the screen

I love this play, and have seen many versions. I was even in a production in New Jersey.This is an unimpressive version of a great story, and the great moments come from the "writing"as the kids are saying nowadays. The leads may not be terrible actors, but they sure failed to move me here. Even Dogberry was pretty blah and that character can really uplift a failed production. Amongst an uninspiring cast, Don Pedro's character was the best of the bunch. I didn't mind listening to him at all. Even his moments with Claudio and Beatrice were bearable. The music was okay. There were some interesting staging choices, but that doesn't make this worth watching.I really can't get behind this film, and would recommend going to the theatre, or renting the other film versions.

Hark! Here sits a film of excellent repute, and very well deserved. This movie is literally perfect. Shakespeare+Joss Whedon=genius. Joss Whedon reads so much into the words, and manages to make every line and every character in the story count. And they do. Every actor gives an amazing performance, but Alexis Denisof and Clark Gregg are the superstars of the film. Both bring so much talent and humor to their respective roles and deliver the lines perfectly. Amy Acker is brilliant as well and her speech following the wedding in the film is one of the highlights. The black and white cinematography as well as the brilliant lighting make the film appear timeless and yet very modern. Everything works so well. Perfect Shakespeare.

Seriously one of the best Shakespearean productions I've ever seen. American accents sounded strange at first, but then turned comfortable. The music was beautiful and the direction (both by Joss Whedon) was brilliant. Whedon is very loyal to the actors he works with so if you have seen any of his other stuff you will recognize several. Clark Gregg (Leonato)from The Avengers continues to impress me, but my favorites were Nathan Fillion (Dogberry "I am an ass.") and Tom Lenk (Dogberry's partner Verges.)OK. I admit to being a huge Whedon fan, which means I'm biased to begin with, but I loved this adaptation. I did start with a 10 out of 10 score, but then dropped it to a 9 only because nothing is perfect. While I do understand how some reviewers are panning this version by comparing it to the 1993 Branagh version (also brilliant) I would remind potential viewers that 10 years have passed between the making of these two movies and that Whedon and Branagh's vision/interpretation/direction is very different. Both are worth the viewing; this one just happens to be my favorite.