Subtitles section Play video
-
Okay, so you're telling me that my garden gnomes have not only come to life, but they've also started making out with each other?! This is crazy! This is “Movie Night”!
-
*theme song plays*
-
Hello, and welcome to “Movie Night.” I'm your host, once again battling a cold, but having finally gotten that haircut I was talking about. I'm Jonathan Paula.
-
Tonight, we'll be reviewing just one film but it's a brand-new release that came out nationwide yesterday, February 11th. It's the animated film, "Gnomeo and Juliet."
-
As you'd expect, the title of this movie conveys almost the entire plot in three words.
-
This 84-minute family film that is also presented in disappointing 3D opens with a brief introduction explaining that "Gnomeo and Juliet"...
-
is yet another contemporary adaptation of the Shakespearean classic, this time with a garden-gnome twist.
-
Similar to the devices employed in other animated classics, like "Toy Story"...
-
these lovable gnomes and other garden ornaments only come to life when their human owners are away.
-
But, as with the source material, the two neighboring groups of gnomes are at war with each other.
-
The gnomes race on lawnmowers in a nearby alley, for sport and spectacle, with the alpha male of the "Reds"...
-
Tybalt, voiced hilariously by action star Jason Statham, going up against our protagonist, Gnomeo, a member of the "Blues," voiced by James McAvoy.
-
Of course, you know the rest of the story: Gnomeo meets Juliet, voiced by Emily Blunt, a beautiful member of the "Reds"...
-
on neutral territory, wearing neutral colors, and they quickly fall in love, just moments before they realize each others' true allegiances.
-
It's a delightfully cute and reasonably faithful re-telling of the 16th-Century play, all reenacted by your typical cast of animated characters and goofy stereotypes.
-
There are plenty of sight gags, witty references to other Shakespearean works, and lots of exciting action scenes...
-
that take on an entirely new perspective when viewed from a gnome's point of view.
-
When Gnomeo's trusted ally, Benny, has to call in some reinforcements against the Reds, he heads inside his owner's house to buy a super-beefed-up lawnmower online...
-
and his attempts to navigate the computer's touch pad by dancing on it is a great use of the environment, leading to some good laughs.
-
At the center of this simplified story is your basic star-crossed-lover’s romance that unfortunately doesn't get much time to really develop.
-
But in a short, basic kids' movie, it is certainly acceptable. The supporting cast is littered with familiar voices, like Michael Caine...
-
Maggie Smith, Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, and Patrick Stewart, all of whom bring a little bit of personality to their short and, unfortunately, one-dimensional roles.
-
My strongest complaint about this film unfortunately requires spoiling the ending, which I realize is an ironic thing to announce...
-
when we're discussing perhaps the most popular story ever written. But therein lies the issue I have.
-
"Gnomeo and Juliet" diverges from the classic tragedy, having both of the title characters survive to a happy ending.
-
Granted, in a family-friendly film, having a one-foot-tall gnome commit suicide might be a bit dark...
-
but it's that classically tragic ending that makes the Shakespearean story so timeless and memorable.
-
Self-aware of this at least, the film artfully incorporates some deliberate mentions of the original story...
-
before Gnomeo quite literally announces that his story will have a happier ending.
-
It's a clever play by the filmmakers, who are able to have their cake and eat it, too.
-
In a film that is great for kids under 12, parents will be entertained, but there unfortunately isn't much hidden adult humor here for them to laugh at.
-
Elton John, who also serves as the movie's executive producer, lends his music to the film, creating a snappy atmosphere that really sets the mood for the rest of the movie...
-
from the opening establishing scene scored to "Crocodile Rock," all the way to the end credits duet he sings with Lady Gaga.
-
"Gnomeo and Juliet" is by no means a classic, or even particularly memorable...
-
but it is a fun, lighthearted, and familiar love story that children and families will definitely be able to enjoy together.
-
"A cute adventure for everyone."
-
Well, that's what I thought about "Gnomeo and Juliet.” Now, let's see what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
-
Okay, now, let’s bring in the Rate-o-Matic, to see how we both scored "Gnomeo and Juliet.”
-
A double “6”! While this film is nothing amazing, or even really memorable, it is still a fun movie, especially to see with the family, or perhaps with a date this Valentine's.
-
I thought it was "good." You agreed with me, praising the film for its jokes and its appeal to a younger audience, but you complained that it was a bit too derivative. You also scored it a "good."
-
Well, that does it for tonight's review. Now, let's take a look at what else is currently playing in theaters, with some Tweet Critiques.
-
Remember, if you're going to the movies this weekend, make sure to submit your Twitter review, using the #JPMN hashtag, to have it featured on an upcoming episode of "Movie Night."
-
Next week, we'll be taking a look at two documentaries that have a lot to do with the Internet: a favorite from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, "Catfish"...
-
which was just released on DVD last month. It explores a very unique and interesting online relationship built entirely through social networks.
-
Also next week, we'll be reviewing "Looking For Ms. Locklear," a feature-length film by my friends and fellow YouTubers Rhett and Link.
-
It's a story about their quest to track down and find their first-grade teacher, who was responsible for introducing them to one another so many years ago.
-
As always, I encourage you to buy, rent, or download these films before next week's episode...
-
and then let me know what you think about them, by voting in the polls below, or by leaving me a comment review.
-
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula. Thank you for watching “Movie Night.” I hope to see you right back here next Friday!
-
*end credits play*
-
*Don't forget to tune in to the season 10 premiere of the microwave show on April 1st!*