I noticed that right at the beginning and end there was superimposed text that just said “RA”. Anyone know what’s up with that?
Probably the distributor, Roadside Attractions.
My husband and I saw it this weekend and enjoyed it thoroughly. Neither of us have seen the Branaugh version, and neither of us are Joss fanatics, so it didn’t come with too much extra “baggage” for us.
We thought it was well filmed, with good acting and a good adaptation to the modern. The only thing that took me out of it slightly was the thought that it was nice for Castle to actually be a cop this time. 
I liked it a lot. It felt like a really good amateur production, very charming and well done. It’s a good play for Whedon to do, I’m not sure if I could see him doing Lear or Hamlet, but this worked.
Amy Acker was great as Beatrice. If I didn’t know better I’d say the role was written for her. Most of the rest of the cast ranged from competent to good.
I thought Alex Denisof’s American accent was terrible. Then I look him up and find out he was born in Maryland and raised in Seattle. :smack: I guess I’m used to hearing him speak in an English accent.
Man, Joss Whedon has a nice house! Would have liked to see it in color.
Nathan Fillion needs to see a trainer or his new found role as sex object for middle aged women might not last.
Loved the music, really well done to contemporize the songs as modern light jazz.
Just watched the DVD last night. The “Making of…” feature went into a lot of the background of how this grew out of Sunday afternoons at Joss’ house sitting around, drinking and reading Shakespeare out loud. His wife actually designed the house to have the balcony and the little amphitheater at the back so they could have more fun while doing these readings.
Enjoyed it a lot–very intimate feel to it all.
I liked the house, the jazz, and I liked that Shakespearean dialogue spoken in American accents – made it easier to understand.
But overall, it doesn’t compare to the Branagh version, with its wonderful cast. Whedon’s actors are very bland, and, as another poster said, hard to tell apart. They lack the charisma and screen presence that Branagh’s actors have. I dislike Amy Acker intensely, but, even setting that dislike aside, her performance as Beatrice can’t compare to Emma Thompson’s. The exception, perhaps, is that Sean Maher more compelling than Keanu. They both have wonderful faces for villains.
I will rewatch it in a year’s time, with lower expectations, and maybe I’ll like it better then.
Kinda made more sense to me. The plot has a lot of supposedly intelligent adults acting pretty damn foolish. If we assume everyone is half-crocked all the time, things make more sense.