Modern Day Shakespeare
             In fair Comp II class where we lay our scene.
             From ancient grudge break to new mutiny.... To modernize or not to modernize,
             That is the question that many film directors and playwrights have asked themselves. The decision to give William Shakespeare's Romeo+Juliet a modern twist was made by director Baz Luhrmann in a 1996 version of this tragedy. To date, this is the most recent version of Romeo+Juliet, and in my opinion the best for many different reasons. The basis for my opinion is on a list of different qualities that are important to me as a movie viewer. How the movie was directed, awards won by the movie, and the obvious overall entertainment value that I personally had while watching it are all aspects that I took into consideration. This movie serves as an excellent educational resource. It appeals to those in our generation by modernizing itself with music by Radiohead, Everclear, and Garbage. [Entertainment Weekly, Nov 1997]. It also brings in young actors such as Claire Daines, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Leguizamo, and Paul Rudd. Baz Luhrmann, who has also directed other Academy award winning movies in the "Red Curtain Trilogy", such as Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom, directed this specific version.
             The story is, of course, about a pair of two star-crossed lovers. Two teenagers pursue their love for one another despite the fact that their families have been at odds with each other for decades. The story combines street brawls, disguise, misunderstanding, betrayal, humor, tragedy and some of the most romantic language found in literature. The play is dated back to the 1500's. Believed to be written around 1595 because a nurse in the play refers to "an earthquake eleven years past"; there was a major tremor in London in 1580. T...