‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Trailer: Initial Thoughts

First of all, I’m super excited to see Amy Acker in a lead role–the part of Shakespeare’s Beatrice, no less.  Acker has played very unique types of characters, even in the same series, but Beatrice will allow her show us even more versatility than she’s so far been able to express.

I’ve now watched the official trailer for Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing half a dozen times, and my initial concerns about the film are fading with each viewing.  Whedon has cast his film with familiar faces from his television series and recent movies (no Chris Hemsworth, alas), and it took me a few viewings to see beyond these actors as actors and into the characters they’re playing.  Like Alyssa Rosenberg, I also couldn’t escape the immediate comparisons to Kenneth Branagh’s joyous adaptation.  The scenes in the trailer have their own look and feel, but the dialogue and delivery nonetheless recalled the earlier film I know so well.

With both Whedon regulars and Branagh’s work so embedded in my consciousness, I fear that I may need to see this movie a few times to really appreciate it on its own terms.  Not that I mind.  It’s hardly a sacrifice.  My hope is that Whedon will both honor and subvert the spirit of Shakespeare’s play.

And no scowling Keanu Reeves ruining the moments!

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