Swanner: The latest offering from Disney is a new version of Romeo and Juliet called Gnomeo and Juliet, where garden gnomes come to life and and fall in love. Following the Shakespearian tragedy we have two house parted by a fence where our Gnomeo and Juliet live. The households argue so of course the gnomes in the yard carry on the same argument. It’s a sweet take off of the original Globe production that follows these star-crossed lovers
Judd: It was also voiced by some pretty serious Shakespearian heavy hitters like Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Patrick Stewart and Hulk Hogan. The movie was produced by Elton John and his songs are being heavily promoted as a big part of the movie – which I felt like the songs were crow barred in. They didn’t advance the plot or add anything to the movie.
Swanner: I can’t believe you’re bitching about the music when there is so much more to complain about. The script is a bit messy and the character development was not the best. Maybe they figured that everyone knows the story but you’re playing to children who have no idea about the story, Shakespeare or half of the jokes they were telling. Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2) did and ok job with the direction but the script by Asbury and the eight others make it feels like their were too many cooks in the kitchen
Judd: Please, the children don’t know the story? I doubt the adults we watched the movie with were familiar with the story! They were all bussed in from Rio Linda; some of them didn’t even bother changing out of their pajamas. One lady asked us why we got to sit in a reserved area. When I told her we’re press, she asked me “Press what?” I’m sure the story was totally new to them.
Swanner: Well that is just sad then. It was an odd audience that was for sure. Look, as a kids movie it was fine. It move swiftly and there was plenty of humor to keep the kids interested. As for adults … I think they’ll be as bored as you were. With the amount of talent they had behind this movie i expected better.
Judd: The movie is a Rocket Pictures/Starz Animation/Touchstone production. Outside of Touchstone, Rocket and Starz aren’t exactly known for animated movies. We’ve been conditioned to expect Pixar and Dreamworks quality and Gnomeo misses the mark.
Swanner:
Judd: