DiCaprio as Romeo. Dr. Christina Cobb of filmcritic.com stated about the visual effects, "When Romeo and Juliet meet at a costume party - staring transfixed at each other through a fish tank that separates two rooms of the Capulet mansion -- the rapid-fire MTV editing and grinding soundtrack disappear. The stars take the audience into another world." The MTV, or Music Television audience are able to appreciate this version of the play because the scenes were set in a familiar setting to their own lives. It seems like people either loved or hated this movie. Some people were appalled by the lack of respect for Shakespeare's work. They thought making the families mobsters and having gang fights was too much. On the other side of the spectrum, some younger audiences praised the film, for being of the time, and easy to follow.
             In the following paper, I am going to delve deep into both of the works. I will be looking at comparisons, and differences between Shakespeare and Luhrmann's visions. I have also located key changes that Luhrmann made in the final editing of the movie. Then, I will take a look at the critic's opinions and then give me own opinion of what worked well in the movie, and what did not work very well.
             In the 1996 movie, there are many significant differences from the Shakespeare play of Romeo and Juliet. The first noticeable difference is in the opening of the movie; a newscaster reads the opening prologue. It is also noticeable at that time that the time period is set in our generation. The changes Luhrmann makes for the difference it time are very significant throughout the movie. The time period change, did not allow the characters to wear the typical clothing of a late 15th century person. The male characters were viewed in the movie wearing Hawaiian shirts, and black pants, while in the play; the males would have worn tights and frilled shirts. At the Capulet Ball, it is very clear to see the...