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Hamlet (2000)

User Reviews: Hamlet (2000)

Hamlet (2000)
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3 out of 5.0 stars 8 Ratings (8 Reviews)

  • Overall:

    Good Grief!

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 11, 2001 | 1 out of 1 found this Hamlet (2000) review helpful

    Destroys everything that was Hamlet. Very well could have been the worst acting I've seen to date. What is wrong with people today?

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  • Overall:

    Pop-Culture Pleaser

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 1, 2001

    A disclaimer: You should know Hamlet well in order to truly enjoy this film. Many sections have been cut or edited, and prior knowledge of what these cut sections contribute or take away from "Hamlet" is key in understanding this version's interpre...tation.That said, "Hamlet 2000" is an intriguingly modern take on the legendary tragedy. The theme of pop-culture that runs throughout the movie is very well executed. Ethan Hawke (Hamlet) gives an adequate performance that could use more dramatic choices, but Sam Shepard shines as Hamlet Sr., and Leiv Schreiber turns in the best performance of the film as a driven L'artes.Sadly, Julia Stiles (Ophelia) falls short of- well, let's just say she falls short. She solicits neither passion or pity from the audience, even though she is given one of the most piteous roles in all of Shakespeare.Bill Murray (Polonius), Kyle MacLachlan (Claudius), and Diane Venora (Gertrude) all perform admirably enough.What struck me about this film, however, was not the acting, but the thought behind this interpretation. For those bored with the traditionalism of Brannagh- here's "Hamlet 2000." Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    HAMLET (2000)

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 28, 2001

    I've seen all the other versions, but this one was different in its updating to modern times..The only person who seems miscast is Bill Murray who is lifeless as Polonius.There is something very surreal about Ethan Hawke walking through a video store... giving the "To be or not to be" soliloquyExcellent sountrack helps too Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Great film

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 22, 2001

    This was a great film. All Shakespeare and Hamlet aside, it was a great film. I enjoyed the updating of the plot, and it was very faithful to the original. Technically, the filmmaking is beautiful, the director did a really really nice job. Scenes fr...om the play are at times broken up into several smaller scenes in the movie, take my word, it works! All of the actors were also great, especially Ethan Hawke in the title role, he captured the essence of the character. Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    The plot was the same. . .

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 22, 2001

    Contrary to what another reviewer, who hadn't seen this movie, said, it is faithful to the plot. The summary on the main page is inaccurate, but the movie uses the same plot and the same lines (although edited) as the play.

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  • Overall:

    Interesting interpretating, mediocre acting

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 22, 2001

    Hamlet was an interesting movie and a good viewing experience, but if you're looking for an exact adaptation with the complete text go for the Kenneth Branagh version. That said, after watching both versions, there were some points I understand bett...er from this movie. This movie completely ignores the original stage directions and scene divisions, but that's okay. It's an adaptation, and I'm not going to judge it on it's faithfulness to the original. I enjoyed it because it placed Shakespeare's wonderful speeches on new backgrounds. The presentation of it brought something new to the play. In this movie, Hamlet is a filmmaker, and many of his soliloquies are performed on film or while watching film images that relate in some way to the speech. This is an interesting effect, as are the film flashbacks.The visual imagery of the film is fascinating, but some of the acting is not as good as could be desired in a Shakespeare adaptation. I am a fan of Julia Stiles, but her Ophelia was particularly weak. Ethan Hawke was mediocre as Hamlet.If you like the play, definitely see this at least for the new perspective. You may or may not enjoy it. If you've never read the play or seen another version, do so before watching this, or you could be confused by the many plot turns. Furthermore, this is an adaptation, and I would recommend that you be exposed to the original before you sink your teeth into this unique little piece of filmmaking. Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Didn't see it, but that description is weird

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 20, 2001

    That description above is a little weird. I didn't see the movie, and maybe they changed some things, but in Hamlet the ghost doesn't surprise the young prince... he is warned by his friend Horatio of its presence hours before he encounters it.And Po...lonius killed the king? Polonius? Laertes and Ophelia's courtier father? The same Polonius who hides behind the arras to spy on the prince while he admonishes Gertrude to reject his uncle? The one whom Hamlet kills while exclaiming, "Dead for a ducat, dead"? In every version of Hamlet that I've seen, Hamlet's father had been murdered by Claudius, and Polonius had no idea a murder had even taken place.I can't believe that someone so unfamiliar with the story of Hamlet was allowed to write the description of the DVD. I hope that's not the same description that graces the back of the DVD box, or I'd avoid buying just out of principle. Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Don't see this film!!!

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 19, 2001

    One quote from "The Simpsons" sums this film up:"You've desacrated a classic, just like 'Godfather III.'"Shakespeare is turning over in his grave right now over this movie. The acting was extremely poor. In my opinion, this is the worst version of ...this, the greatest of Shakespeare's plays, which has ever been put on film. Read more Less

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