Romeo & Juliet

Every umpteen years, Shakespeare's eloquent and poetic words from his classic tale of two star-crossed lovers seem to spring forth in an attempt to entertain a new generation of youths. This latest version is well made, but it has nothing special. The acting is fine. The settings and locales are beautiful and fitting, but there is an emptiness to them as if no one actually lives there. Alien's first love is Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version with Leonard Whiting & Olivia Hussey and that memorable "Romeo & Juliet Theme" song. Then in 1996, Baz Luhrmann puts a contemporary spin on the story with Leonardo DiCaprio & Clare Danes speaking in the original dialog. Alien also loved this clever, hip, and bold re-interpretation. Alas, this latest attempt just pales in comparison and adds nothing new. It stays with the tried and true. Alien even enjoyed the loosely based 'R' & Julie "Warm Bodies" version more.

Alien gives it 2 "houses cursed" stars out of 4.