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Now on DVD: "Gnomeo and Juliet" is no Tragedy
"Gnomeo and Juliet" movie trailer
DVD Release Date - May 24, 2011
Nothing says “kid’s animated comedy” like forbidden love and tragic death. So why try and put a spin on the classic Shakespeare story? Because the title Gnomeo and Juliet is too funny to pass up. Add to that the oddity of garden gnomes and you have one funny foundation to build on and an opportunity that should not be passed over.
The story is set in adjacent backyards owed by feuding neighbors. It only makes sense that their precious lawn ornaments would carry out the same animosity for each other. Gnomeo (James McAvoy) is a blue. They are splendid gardeners and quite intelligent. Juliet (Emily Blunt) is a red. They are a little rougher around the ceramic collar and despised by the blues. When the two fall hopelessly in love they have to keep their relationship a secret while keeping their families from shattering each other.
This G rated film keeps things pretty minimal which makes it work even better. It doesn’t try too hard to build a deep plot or over develop the characters. It simply allows the absurdity of the figurines, and the clever spin on Shakespeare’s story to create humorous moments. You have these two groups of yard decorations who race lawn mowers in the alley way and pride themselves on landscaping. Two of them happen to fall in love. It is ridiculous which makes it that more endearing. Plus it never takes itself serious which allows you the freedom to laugh unashamedly.
I was concerned when I first saw the G rating. Many filmmakers often let this hinder them from experimenting with comedy and instead you end up with a movie that has no relevance or appeal to anyone over 8 years old. The easy road is to go with the off color innuendo or sophomoric bathroom humor. These writers did a good job of creating humor that all ages will find entertaining. And they did it by being creative with everyday objects and not simply taking the route most traveled. The use of Elton John classics also gave Gnomeo and Juliet some swagger and took it out of the kid only zone.
Sure Gnomeo and Juliet is going to score large with the 10 and under movie groupies. They need theater experiences too. But the great thing about this one is that the parents who take them won’t have to continually stare at their watch for 80 plus minutes hoping it will be over soon. They will be just as engaged as their youngsters. Valentines weekend is the perfect time to release a film like this. Gnomeo and Juliet is one of these splendid, extremely safe Daddy/Daughter date films or family outings that rarely come along in the movie realm. To be honest I think that it is a great date night for couples of all ages who want to let cupid’s arrow fly without even one awkward moment or a single element of adult content. Pure, clean, fun. What a concept.
Review copyright 2011 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.
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