Much Ado About Nothing (2013)

From Vampire Slayer to Works of Shakespeare

Leonato (Clark Gregg) is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond), who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother, Don John (Sean Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Claudio (Fran Kranz). Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter, Hero, while Benedick verbally spars with the governor's niece, Beatrice (Amy Acker). The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange a marriage. In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro attempts to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love, while, the villainous Don John plots against the Claudio and Hero, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins.


If there is one thing alone that this film does a great job in showing, its what a brilliant match Joss Whedon and William Shakespeare truly are.

The dialogue is purely Shakespeare's, meaning that not all who see this film will understand what is being said, and even get a bit lost at times as to what is being planned or whats being said. I'll hold my hands up and admit that the previously typed sentence includes me, who's never experienced Much Ado prior to this film. But the performances are so exceptionally well done that you can understand what is happening by taking a good look at the performances, seeing the rage within a characters eyes or one persons face showing a truly heartbroken look. While some have criticized Whedon for reusing his previous actors for this, he's chosen a cast who truly can act well and essentially carry the film when the dialogue overwhelms and loses you. Also, quite a bit of the dialogue (that I understand) is full of the humorous wit that Whedon fans are used to seeing in his work.

Nothing says Shakespeare like a game of Hide and Seek

The humor is wonderful, with the main laughs coming from Nathan Fillion & Tom Lenk's bumbling security officers. However, the mad prancing of Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker is one of the films highlights, showing how truly funny slapstick can be, if done correctly (take note, writers of Scary Movie 5).

The cult director has worked well with The Bards play, delivering one of the more charming experiences of the year, which i'd highly recommend seeing, if you get the chance to. Now, how about more Shakespeare adaptations to go inbetween your Avengers films, Whedon?