Hamlet (2009)

  • Review Date: June 5, 2011
  • NR
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2010
Review

Common Sense Media says

A thrilling version of the Bard's classic tragedy.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this compelling interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, set in modern times, is filled with scheming, betrayal, violence, and intrigue. Like most Shakespearean tragedies, this tale ends with more than a few deaths and little to leave viewers upbeat. On the positive side, it's thoughtfully done and could whet teens' appetite for more of the Bard.

  • Positive messages0
    Evil deeds do not go unrewarded in this classic Shakespearean tragedy where almost everyone dies in the end. Unfortunately, some innocents also die as collateral damage, as a terrible crime sweeps up everyone in its path.
  • Positive role models0
    Few of the characters stand out as good examples, as they are all motivated by selfish desires to pursue actions that range from venal to evil. Hamlet plots to kill his uncle in revenge, while his uncle commits murder out of a greedy desire for the throne. Other characters also lie and scheme in pursuit of power, vengeance, or due to anger.
  • Violence3
    Some intense arguments, and several scenes feature fights involving daggers, swords, or handguns. Several characters die.
  • Sex1
    A few bawdy discussions, though the Shakespearean phrasing makes them unlikely to be offensive. Indeed, the words will probably go over the heads of most young viewers.
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What's the story?

Still mourning his father’s death, Hamlet (David Tennant), crown prince of Denmark, is dismayed when his uncle Claudius (Patrick Stewart) marries his mother and assumes the throne in one of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies. The troubled prince is even more shocked when he’s visited by his late father’s ghost, who reveals that his death was no accident and demands that Hamlet seek revenge upon the killer: Claudius. The news pushes him over the edge into madness (or does it?) as Hamlet crafts a plan to expose his uncle’s betrayal, a plan that will have tragic and unexpected results.

Is it any good?

 

In what was originally a TV movie, this classic tale is transported to modern times by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here, the complicated revenge plots and counterplots employ swords and daggers as well as pistols. These modern touches make the scenes look familiar, but the language remains the same. Some viewers may have struggled with Shakespeare’s beautiful poetry in school, but it leaps off the screen when delivered by these powerful performers. Tennant is especially fun to watch as he mugs for the camera and alarms other characters while seemingly in the throes of madness. His goofy faces are tinged with despair, revealing the depths of Hamlet’s misery.

That’s important because Hamlet is not only one of Shakespeare’s most famous stories, it’s also one of his longest, and this production clocks in at just over three hours. If viewers start getting distracted, feel free to take a break then come back for the exciting conclusion. It’s worth watching all the way to terrible tragic finale.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about madness. Was Hamlet truly crazy, or was he faking it as part of a scheme to expose the king?

  • What do you think about this production? Does it hold up after being transported into modern times? Why do these classic stories continue to be reworked?

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:BBC
Director:Gregory Doran
Cast:David Tennant, Patrick Stewart
Genre:Drama
Run time:182 minutes
DVD release date:May 4, 2010
MPAA rating:NR
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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