Main Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ashley Jensen, Michael Caine, Matt Lucas, Jim Cummings, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourn, Stephen Merchant, Patrick Stewart, Julie Walters, Richard Wilson etc etc!
Plot Summary: Two 'star-cross'd lovers' must find a way to be together despite their warring families. Sound familiar? Well, in the words of the one who delivers the prologue "The story you are about to see has been told before. A lot. And now we are going to tell it again. But different." The difference? Gnomes.
The Good: - Gnomes have managed to turn one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies into a beyond cute and often hysterically funny comedy. The manipulation of some of the most famous lines in history, "What's in a gnome" and "A weed by any other name is still a weed" constantly serve to lighten the mood, and anyone who knows their Shakespeare will recognise plenty.
-Aided by clever lines and beautiful animation, the all star cast breathes life into the ceramic characters. Each gnome, bunny, 'shroom or frog has its own individual traits, and each is endearing in its own way. My personal favourites: Featherstone the plastic flamingo voiced by Jim Cummings, a voice often heard throughout Disney's animations, and Fawn the ceramic....fawn, voiced by Ozzy Osbourne... a less frequent contributor to Disney.
-Elton John's ever constant presence...
The Bad: -Avid, loyal and stubborn Shakespeare fans may be put off by the amount of artistic license Gnomeo and Juliet uses to steer away from the original. Having said that however, if you watch an animated film about gnomes expecting to see Shakespeare in all his original glory, you're perhaps a little deluded.
-Occasionally a little too self-referential. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the obvious parodying and OTT references, but it could be considered a bit much. In fact, the whole film could be considered a bit much. But for me, that's where the fun is.
Memorable Moment: Gnomeo's conversation with a statue of Shakespeare.
Score: 8/10
Verdict: Shakespeare's been done by everyone, so why not have it done by gnomes? What I expected was a frivolous animation with not much substance, and so I was surprised to find myself laughing at so much of it, and genuinely enjoying a new take on an old classic. It was just fun, and surely that's what Disney's all about?
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