Title: good, but not as great as some people say...
Product review: This is a good rendition of Hamlet, with some breathtaking cinematography and decent acting. To be honest, though, Branagh simply did not work for me as Hamlet. Too old, too blond. Also, I don't know why he thought it would be a good idea to cast big-name American actors in minor parts--Robin Williams is kind of amusing as Osric, but most of them look glaringly out-of-place. On the plus side, Jacobi was typically briliant as Claudius (an intentional joke based on his starring role in the excellent I, Claudius?), and I absolutely *loved* the guy who played Fortinbras--talk about radiating menace! All in all, it's a worthy film, although at four bloody hours it's a bit of an endurance test. Also, it does not in fact feature the play's script in its entirety--I noticed at least one medium-sized speech that was conspicuous by its absense.What we *really* need is a Branagh King Lear. Now THAT could be really something...
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