Hamlet

 

 

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Mad Max as the most classically tragic figure of all-time - what a joke! Glenn Close is abominable and hardly old enough to be his mother - plus Gibson's too old to play the young prince, anyway.

I love Shakespeare, but this was atrocious. Laurence Olivier would be turning over in his grave if he saw this despicable display of an acting attempt by Gibson. Watch Olivier or Branagh's versions if you desire true Shakespeare- not the faux watered-down version. He was great in Braveheart - but ladies and gents, Braveheart this is not.

4.5 stars. First off, the look of this version is superb. The costumes are excellent and the set design is oftentimes awesome. There are also location shots that have stunning scenery with gorgeous landscapes. This is a tightened version of the famous play, clocking in at a mere 2hr.15min., but it still holds the heart of the play intact. This is "Hamlet" for the masses, lean and hungry, and without the bloated length of the entire play. As for the acting, there are some notable performances and there are some question marks. Mel Gibson portrays the title character. This was a great surprise back in 1990 to see an Action Film hero challenge himself as an actor. His performance may not be altogether perfect, but it is heartfelt, energetic, and loaded with enthusiasm. Alan Bates plays the King, and while he has no standout scenes, his performance is solid overall: subtle and villainous. Paul Scofield plays the ghost of Hamlet's father, and while he looks a little too lifelike to be considered an "apparition," his scenes are portrayed admirably. Glenn Close is Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark. She has two incredible scenes and holds her own throughout. One of her best and chilling scenes is when she realizes she has been poisoned and looks wide-eyed toward the King with disbelief and horror. What a moment! While many citics wrote that she was too young to be the mother of Hamlet, this minor note is easy to forget once the play is under way. The single greatest performance here belongs to Helena Bonham Carter as Ophelia. This is quite possibly the perfect portrayal of the character ever brought to the screen. I won't point out scenes here because her entire performance is outstanding. One of my question marks in the film has to do with the character of Laertes played by Nathaniel Parker. He just doesn't make me believe at any point that he is out for vengeance for either his father's murder or the madness and eventual demise of his sister Ophelia. He instead comes across more like a grinning villain than a son on the edge of exploding with rage. This disappointment comes late in the film, and while it is a key element to the strength of the plot, it doesn't ruin the movie; the movie ends before the plot has a chance to unravel. Another questionable scene is at Ophelia's funeral where the Queen(Glenn Close) is the only one weeping? I was wondering after the scene if anyone really missed Ophelia. Both Hamlet(Mel Gibson) and Laertes(Nathaniel Parker) say as much, but their lack of visceral emotion left me unconvinced. The last criticism is that the final sword fight between Laertes and Hamlet "looks" choreographed: turn, steel-on-steel, duck, turn, repeat, etc. I just waited for the inevitable to happen after all their sword-play was overwith. All these criticsms aside, this is still a worthy rendition of the heralded tragedy. There are many fine moments to be seen and heard here, not the least of which is Mel Gibson pushing himself to become a great actor as well as an international movie-star. All in all, this film is recommended viewing for any who enjoy Shakespear's beloved play.

Well...if you want a chop job Hamlet this is the version to go for. Kenneth Branagh's version does a wonderful disgrace to this movie! I don't care wether Mel Gibson is good looking or not; he is not fit for the Shakesperean Stage/Screen. The only thing this movie is good for is high school students who didn't read the play and want to get the basic story. My friend and I laughed the whole way through and the only reason we survived is because it was happy hour at the campus bar. The script is wanting in every way possible and Glenn Close as Gertrude? Pass me another beer and you, well you should move on and see Branagh or Olivier's Hamlet!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Hamlet
I am a great fan of Shakespeare - his Plays & Sonnets.
This is a great DVD with Mel Gibson & Glenn Close. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Robert The Bruce

5.0 out of 5 stars Since brevity is the soul of wit ...
I will be brief; though whether witty, too, as this production is ... why, I know not.
For 'tis not a trifle thing to take a play like Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and... Read more

Published on May 6 2005 by Themis-Athena

5.0 out of 5 stars best film version i've seen (and i've seen them all!)
through my endeavors i've had to read Hamlet 7 times (twice my senior year of high-school). much as i don't like Shakespeare this play is part of my life. Read more

Published on July 16 2004 by Kate C.

5.0 out of 5 stars Mel has captured Hamlet's soul
What a masterpiece. As much as I love Braveheart, I truly think this is Mel Gibson's finest work. It throws all over attempts into shadow, including the great Lawrence Olivier... Read more

Published on July 13 2004 by Michelle Owen West

5.0 out of 5 stars A great BRIEF history of The Bard's greatest Play
There are two main versions that currently work the best in getting a feel for this play, Gibson's & Brannaugh's. Read more

Published on Jun 20 2004 by Mark Showalter

4.0 out of 5 stars What a show!
While this version of Hamlet tends to skimp on the actual text, Mel Gibson puts on a great show here. Read more

Published on Jun 8 2004 by ajlingo

4.0 out of 5 stars My Very Favorite Mel Gibson Film!
Mel Gibson just SHINES as the ambivalent (but Oedipal) prince Hamlet in this adaptation as does Glenn (I boil baby rabbits) Close cast as his mother Gertrude, Helena (Fight Club)... Read more

Published on April 8 2004 by Sheila Chilcote-Collins

3.0 out of 5 stars Hamlet Cliff Notes
On the positive side, Mel Gibson looks and moves like a soldier, which of course is Hamlet's profession. This is probably the most athletic Hamlet you are likely to see. Read more

Published on April 6 2004 by James Steve Robles

5.0 out of 5 stars It's better than Branagh!
I thought they'd never release this version of "Hamlet"on DVD, but it's finally here, so we can rejoice! This is my favorite film version of "Hamlet. Read more

Published on April 5 2004 by Melissa Niksic

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but could be better
We all know the story so there is no need for me to summarize.

It's not a bad rendition but there are a few problems. Read more

Published on April 2 2004 by JC Shannon

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