I must admit, when they first announced that there was a cartoon version of Romeo and Juliet in production, featuring garden gnomes and music by Elton John, I wanted to run to the nearest corner and hide! I'm by no means a Shakespeare purist, but this just seemed like a really odd combination.
I'm incredibly pleased to say, I was completely wrong. Right from the first scene, I was laughing. Its so brilliantly done. The characters are recognisable and really likeable. I love the idea that all the gnomes of the world are just sitting there waiting for their owners to go out for the day so they can come to life and play (or fight in this case) in the garden.
My children loved this movie. They originally saw it in the theatre when it was first released, and when they found out I was receiving a copy to review, I think they nearly jumped out of their skin! The day it arrived in the post, I didn't even get to open the envelope. They took the dvd and put it on straight away. I didn't get to watch that viewing with them, but this weekend I did...the fifth time they've seen it. lol. That's usually the indicator that they like a movie...its on repeatedly.
The producers have worked in so many references to Shakespeare and other films, adult viewers will be highly entertained. The opening scene for example shows the front of two terrace houses and their letterboxes (see pic at right). I seriously cracked up!
We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet...two ill-fated lovers who can never be together because of their families. In this remake, Gnomeo and Juliet meet and its love at first sight. Unfortunately, the war between the red and blue gnomes prevents them from being together. They have secret meetings in a neighbouring garden...a neutral place where it doesn't matter if you're red, blue or bright pink, like their ally "Featherstone", a plastic pink flamingo. Once again, Gnomeo and Juliet believe that the other has died...and that's where Eme started crying (just like her mumma that one). I won't give away the ending...you'll have to watch it for yourself.
Elton John's music integrates perfectly with this flick. I especially loved "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" playing when the gnomes are having a lawnmower drag race. Keep an eye out for the busty gnome who drops the flag on the race...its Dolly Parton! Nelly Furtado's version of "Crocodile Rock" is fun too and had Eme up on her feet dancing.
There are so many great characters in this movie. Seth had quite a few favourites...the fishing gnome, the gnome wearing a Borat style mankini (lol), the bunnies doing morse code, "Shrew" the mushroom...well, all of them really. Eme of course was taken with Juliet and Nanette the frog. Love that this movie catered for both the boys and girls!
Here's the trailer...check it out for yourself!
"Gnomeo and Juliet" will be released on dvd and bluray at the end of June 2011. Thanks to the good people at Porter Novelli, I have a copy of Gnomeo and Juliet to giveaway to one lucky blog reader!!
To enter, leave a comment revealing what you think the garden gnomes get up to when you're not looking...
For extra entries, become a follower of this blog, and share the news of this giveaway on twitter, facebook and/or your own blog! Make sure you leave a separate comment if you do so. If tweeting, please use @heyLisaWarren so that I can keep track.
Entries close midnight, 26 June 2011, and the winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary DVD review copy courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Porter Novelli via Digital Parents. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
