 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Romeo + Juliet
- Review Date: July 31, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
Optically brilliant, violent update of classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film features a considerable amount of blood, violence, and explicit references to sex. Prostitution, brief nudity, teen sex, gang-related deaths, car assaults, bloody fistfights, and a gangster pointing a pistol directly at a child's face, makes this film inappropriate for kids under the age of 17. There's a strong emphasis on guns that can easily be seen as glamorization: characters sport decorated pistols and fashionably threatening jewelry (skull rings, dagger belts), not to mention an ad for bullets. Background scenery makes much use of billboards, posters, and license plates designed to mimic soda, liquor, and cigarette ads.
What's the story?
Against the crumbling backdrop of political and social hierarchy, a chance meeting through a neon fish tank at a masquerade ball begets a desperate pact of love between star-crossed lovers Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes). The well-to-do Capulets have chosen Paris (Paul Rudd), a dashing but dull TIME magazine cover boy, heir to glitzy Verona Beach, to wed Juliet. However, it's Romeo, son of the rival Montague clan, who captures her heart. The vengeance-seeking broods of both families clash during a deadly beachfront shoot-out. Sadly, the couple's final reunion ends in devastation for both families.
Is it any good?
Replete with glowing surfaces, quick cutting action, and a soundtrack that bites, Director Baz Luhrmann's whirling dervish adaptation of the classic tale of ROMEO + JULIET, is Shakespeare for Generation X, Y, and Z. Any teenager growing up in the mid 90s will attest to the unbeatable hipness of this movie. Neon crucifixes, dazzling skylines, and festive fireworks literally light up the screen in this film. The real electricity, however, lies in the chemistry between Danes and DiCaprio. There is not a single element of the production unaffected by Luhrmann's restless mercurial bravado, including the acting, wardrobe, and set design. Thankfully, the transported text survives the transition between eras, due to the director's attention to detail.
The film's bouncing soundtrack, MTV-style cinematography, and all-star cast will have teens begging to see Romeo + Juliet. Parents are cautioned against permitting tweens and under to view this film due to its extreme violence, gross materialism, and sexual innuendo. And it is best if parents accompany their kids who are allowed to view this graphic retelling of the classic.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about issues such as conflict-resolution, peer pressure, and their alternatives.
What could the Montagues and Capulets have done in order to make peace?
Were there alternatives to Romeo and Juliet's choices?
Did they truly
believe suicide was the only way, and if so, what circumstances in the
film drove them to feel this way?
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AGE
Great way for today's kids to understand and appreciate Shakespeare.
I love this movie! I think that it shows the timelessness of Shakespeare and conveys it in a way that those reading Shakespeare for the first time will be better able to connect with and understand the text.
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AGE
Constantly faces are bloodied. Tons of gunfights/fistfights. Romeo takes Juliet's bra off in one scene. Not at good as I had expected, and a little too modern (takes place in the 1900's whereas the play was written in the 1500's), but it was better than most modern adaptations of old literature.
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AGE
Had to watch it in school last year when i was in 9th grade, good movie, kind of an weird adaptation though
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AGE
Ignore the 16+
I'm confused why everyone is saying it should be 16+, if it should be 16+ then why is it rated 12a? There is no blood (well a very small amount) no nudity and no bad language (it is shakespeare after all) and it a great story of love and it's educational about shakespeare but it's easier dor kids to understand it when placed in a modern setting.
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AGE
My Romeo + Juliet Review
I have seen this movie,i had to go with iffy because there are alot of Bloddy secnes in this Film which will make it very disturbing for little childern, there murder shooting and very bloody secnes. but there are some good things like love,romance, but there is a little to much. I recomend 17+
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AGE
BRRR
God I hated this film.... i started to watch it but I found it really stupid and boring.... I am a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio but Romeo+Juliet and Inception are his worse films... ... Shakespeare would NOT be proud of this.
It does have some violence....
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AGE
Classic story, upbeat remake
Love Romeo + Juiet. Mattos shows how Shakespeare's heart felt story could be shown in today's stupid and careless world. The end of course is very sad. Everyone knows the ending. I have read the book. I read it a little early than what people might recomend. 12. Some- a lot- of iffy stuff. Violence, sexual innuendos, some abuse. Yet a good classic for your teen.
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AGE
Interesting Retelling
I have watched this movie many times as a teenager and now an adult. At this point in my life I find it easier to understand than the older version of Romeo and Juliet. The violence in the movie is over done, but that is the point. It is supposed to be ridiculous. I also would not watch this movie without discussing many of the poor choices that the characters choose. Most young people seem to understand that these poor choices led to very real consequences.
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AGE
Beware under-14s, but anyone older will enjoy this hugely
Very good modern remake of Romeo and Juliet. As CSM notes, this movie includes prostitution, Ecstasy, sex, murder, suicide, extreme innuendo, offensive views of women, domestic violence, shootouts, etc. all of which are conducted by young teenagers (the female protagonist is nearly 14). However, the message of true love carries throughout. I saw it in school when I was fourteen, and I was fine, but some people in my class were very disturbed by the material. Despite the modernization, the story remains faithful to the original, and is definitly worth watching.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Baz Luhrmann |
| Cast: | Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Leonardo DiCaprio |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 1, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | May 25, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | scenes of contemporary violence and some sensuality |
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