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Thursday
13Aug2009

'Hamlet' to Be Sung at Teenagers...In 3-D

DateThursday, August 13, 2009 at 4:38PM
My primary (OK, knee-jerk) argument about the viability of literary remakes, a category under which movie updates fall, is William Shakespeare. Where would dramatics be if Shakespeare hadn't been performed for the last 400 years, constantly evolving to meet the demands and standards of the times? No, Hollywood doesn't ask itself that question on most remakes, nor do I expect the Bluetooth-wearing greenlighters to be overly familiar with contemporary adaptation theory.

So, on the one hand I can't dog another set of film producers for dusting off Hamlet. It's probably the most influential piece of English literature ever written and one more remake is kind of like the Yankees hoisting another World Series trophy: They've already got 27, so what's the difference?

On the other hand, though, I have to look at what Elsinore Films is doing with a skeptical eye: A musical Hamlet aimed at teens? My issue is only that thematically, Hamlet shouldn't be boiled down too much and it shouldn't necessarily be forced to fit a melody at the expense of the narrative. It could work, sure, but I'm not sure it will. Oh, did I mention it will also be in 3-D?

Of course, Elsinore Films is not stopping with Hamlet. Variety says they're teeny-bopping six Bard tales in all, with this one joining future updates of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, and The Tempest. In the case of Hamlet - and it may apply to the others as well - the musicals will be adaptations of works produced by the UK theatrical company Shakespeare 4 Kidz. But is Shakespeare really 4 kidz?

It's definitely ambitious, but man, this could really backfire.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment3 Comments |

Reader Comments (3)

Noooooooo!!!! I understand the attempt to bring Shakespeare to the kids, but to water it down so much? Methinks this is a bad idea.

Friday, August 14, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJeremy

Yanks only have 26 Titles Big Sexy... Zero this century I might add. But this is a movie site, so I digress...

I'm all for teaching Shakespeare to kids and in doing so, you have to pare it down to keep them interested. So I think this could work as an appetizer to get kids to want to know more about Shakespeare and his work. Also most kids shows nowadays are musically based, so I understand that part as well. But does everything have to be in 3-D? Next thing you know the porn industry will be developing 3-D movies. Imagine that!

Friday, August 14, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterGreg

rock me sexy jesus.

Friday, August 14, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteranon

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