Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 822.33
EAN: 9780521618724
Edition: 2nd
ISBN: 052161872X
Label: Cambridge University Press
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 210
Publication Date: 2005-09-19
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Studio: Cambridge University Press

This new edition of Much Ado About Nothing is part of the established Cambridge School Shakespeare series and has been substantially updated with new and revised activities throughout. Remaining faithful to the series' active approach it treats the play as a script to be acted, explored and enjoyed. As well as the complete script of Much Ado About Nothing, you will find a variety of classroom-tested activities, an eight-page colour section and an enlarged selection of notes including information on characters, performance, history and language.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Love of Language
Comment: I think this adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing," I think is one of Shakespeare's best comedies, is a great film. It can function as a sort of introductory bit of Shakespeare, because this play mostly consists of characters exchanging witty banter, and the actors (Keanu Reeves very much aside) brought such life to the already hilarious words. From the straight forward interpretations of Beatrice and Benedick (Emma Thompson and director Kenneth Branagh, respectively), to the wild but captivating take on Dogberry (Michael Keaton), this movie bursts with wit and life that most film adaptations of the bard's work has lacked.

I thought Keanu Reeves was a horrible choice to play the villainous Don John, for a couple of reasons. One, because Reeves--sorry, Reeves lovers, if there are any of you--he quite simply can't act. Two, he's supposed to be the brother of Don Pedro, who is played (nicely, I might add) by Denzel Washington... who, to say the least, looks nothing at all like Reeves. Whatever the reasoning was behind that, Don John plays a mercifully small role, leaving all the big stuff to better characters played by better actors. The story is quick and punchy, bursting with witty banter and love of the English language. It brings a story of love, trickery, and friendship to the table and, like all comedies, comes complete with a big old happy ending that will surely leave a smile on your face.

7/10

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Customer Rating:
Summary: DVD Much Ado About Nothing
Comment: This is an excellent Hollywood presentation of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Emma Thompson is an excellent actress. I would definitely be careful not to show it to children or young teens as there is a fairly explicit sexual scene in it unless you totally fast forward that scene.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Comment: A great movie to watch. It's kind of shallow in the plot, but very witty and comical. The acting is excellent, and it's definitely worthy of imagination of Shakespeare himself... as if these people were watched while he penned this play.

For those worried about being able to follow the archaic language, don't worry. The movie has subtitle options and it's by far one of the easiest to grasp!!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great!
Comment: Wonderful movie! Now to find the Flying Karamazov Brothers' rendition of the Merchant of Venice.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Much Ado about...Nothing
Comment: It's as the title implies..nothing this film did nothing for me. None of the actors really seemed to sparkle or stand out (maybe that guy from House but barely). This movie also features Keanu Reeves in one of his worst acting roles since Bram Stoker's Dracula. It seems to me I get Shakespeare's dramas better than I get his comedies.The lines are supposedly witty and funny, funny to who an audience from ol' Willie's century? Maybe, or maybe the performance was too dumbed down to make it either but I digress.
There are some scenes I find totally pointless and dumb. The opening shot of the menfolk returning homes from a battle or something riding thier horses over the hill to some extremely corny triumph music "RIDING HORESES YAH! WOO look how cool we look riding slow-mo on our horses while making constipated faces. And another shot of the men and women getting ready to go greet each other by getting cleaned up, they show [...] shots of both sexes (though I think they linger disturbingly longer on the women) just for the sake of having [...] shots. And be warned the lighting for the mens shot has you seeing a little more than you want to.
Tell me when there's a good Shakespeare adaptation I can rave about Ciao!

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