Just playing around trying to get the hang of it. Review about Much Ado

I used to write up reports about my many adventures in the Firefly fandom. It was my way of bringing them along with me on my adventures. I wrote up my encounters with the Cast of Firefly/Serenity.

I was recently going through them and putting them all together. I titled it The Many Adventures of Rosie and Other Faithful Browncoats Vol. 1 2002-2005 and Vol. 2 2006-2012 . I started adding pictures.

I may post those reports once I get the hang of this.

Most recently I wrote up a report about the opening weekend of Much Ado About Nothing Joss Whedon's adaptation.

I will post it here and see what happens.

Much Ado About Nothing - A film by Joss Whedon

I wrote a list of superlatives for the movie:

#MuchAdoAboutNothing
Spectacular, Delightful, Fabulous, Wonderful,
Captivating, Marvelous, Enchanting, Beautiful,
Fun, Magnificent.

It's my favorite play, my favorite director and my favorite actors.

I love the Kenneth Branagh version and kept comparing it to that. I think I love that one because I am most familiar with it but I always disliked Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves and the actor who portrays Leonato never impressed me. I love Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and Robert Sean Leonard.

Joss' version is truly beautiful. It was filmed at Joss Whedon’s house in 12 days while on vacation between filming and editing The Avengers. His house is majestic so just looking at everything and thinking this is where he lives, was a part of it. The black and white and modern setting works. The music is an original score by Joss Whedon and it is performed by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen.

Benedict Alexis Denisof vs. Kenneth Tie- It's like apples and oranges. Each had their strengths one is not better than the other.

Beatrice Amy Acker vs. Emma Thompson Tie- I saw a lot of Emma's Beatrice in Amy's and at one point Amy may have given a little extra oomph to her performance.

Leonato Clark Gregg is the clear winner for me he adds so much life and joy to this character. Clark is charming and extremely talented.

Claudio Fran Kranz vs. Robert Sean Leonard Fran is just better. He is a joy to watch. Comparing his roles from Cabin in the Woods, Dollhouse and now Much Ado About Nothing the man deserves to be a star! I wish him all the success. He could someday get an Oscar if he got lucky.

Don Pedro Reed Diamond vs. Denzel Washington Reed is simply delightful, enchanting and a joy to watch. He usually plays not so nice, mean, smarmy guys. Here is the performance of Don Pedro I was looking for from Denzel. I feel Denzel was flat and Reed just flies with grace and beauty. He is very handsome and talented.

Hero Jillian Morgese vs. Kate Beckinsale Tie with maybe Jillian could win upon further viewing of both. Both actress are unknowns and this is their first roles. Jillian was an extra on the Avengers and got lucky with Joss. I think she did a good job. I like her more than Kate.

Don John Sean Maher vs. Keanu Reeves Sean was wonderful as a villain. I enjoyed his performance. I never liked Keanu's performance. Sean was great.

Dogberry Nathan Fillion vs Michael Keaton Michael Keaton I still love Michael Keaton's Dogberry more so than Nathan's. Nathan was hilarious but I think he was more Nathan being funny than being Dogberry. I know Nathan was hesitant to do Shakespeare but he did a great job. Tom Lenk was his partner Verges and he was very good and quite funny.

I have wanted to see Joss' version since he made it in 2011. So I was planning on a midnight screening when I heard they were available. It was sold out, thank God, I had to start work at 6:30am. However Arclight Hollywood added a 10pm SNEAK showing so I bought a ticket to that. I didn't have anyone to go with on a Thursday night so I went by myself. I was ecstatic, truly joy filled and shedding tears of joy. Joss' work never disappoints me. He is amazing to me and he always meets or exceeds expectations.

Friday I scored a ticket to see it again including a Q&A. Moderated by Adam B. Vary from Buzzfeed, Tom Lenk, Clark Gregg, Amy Adams (Amy Acker, Adam messed up) Joss Whedon and Alexis Denisof. Adam was teased A LOT for THAT mistake.

Alexis Denisof said that he thought Joss enjoyed not having to do rewrites since it was Shakespeare.
Tom Lenk said he enjoyed the fact he didn't need to check the script to see if he was going to die.
Clark Gregg said he knows how that feels.
Amy Acker tells him we all know how that feels. Then we all go oooooo and Joss suddenly looks at Alexis and says I see dead people.  It was hilarious.

Clark talks about being the newest member of the Whedonverse and he talks about Amy Adams and how he thought he would be working with her and she was new. Then Joss clarifies that she has been a member of the Whedonverse from way back. Amy Adams' played Tara's Cousin Beth on Buffy!

Clark originally turned the role down because he had a play. Then the play was pushed back 2 weeks and normally that is not enough time to do a movie but he called Joss.

Amy mentioned playing Hero before for 6 weeks in a Wisconsin and that she always wanted to grow up and become Beatrice. Joss told her there was a lot of Beatrice in Amy and she smiled coyly.

After the Q&A we found Alexis in the lobby. He was hanging with fans taking pics. A handler came to escort him away. Then someone spots Fran Kranz getting his ticket validated for the movie. He was wearing a blue hoodie. Fans recognized him and started taking pics. He asked if it went well and were there a lot of people. He just got off work and rushed over and was sorry he missed it. So others asked for pics and I love Fran so I told him I loved him in Cabin, Dollhouse and Much Ado and he says thanks and then I ask for a pic and another friend from Twitter StarDotGeek comes in with me so as not to ask for too many pictures. Eventually Fran finds his people.

Finally we see them all leaving and Joss stops to take a pic with a fan.  I am near and Clark Gregg walks toward me and I love Clark Gregg but he is heading out and no time to talk. So I just ask Clark,  “Can you give this to Joss?” He smiles and nods and walks away with the note I wrote listing superlatives of Much Ado About Nothing. I told him it is just about the movie and he can read it if he wants.

Then we went to a bar that was just outside the theatre. We hung out chatted and drank beer. We all had to depart. It was nice hanging with everyone. James and his wife Beth gave me a ride to and back.

Saturday I start texting folks to see who else I can get to come with me to the movie. I made a rule I can't go alone again. I would go more times if I did. This limits me to only the times I have friends available to go with and it makes it 2 tickets purchased. So Roxanne, a friend who used to work with me, lets me know that she wants to come and by miracles of miracles she is free. We got there just in the nick of time. It was still beautiful and I enjoyed it even more.

I give this movie 5 thumbs up.  I am borrowing thumbs. I have watched the Kenneth Branagh versions many times. I can't wait to see this again and again. I am also listening to the soundtrack. I love that it's an original score by Joss Whedon.

Mighty Fine Movie.
Update:
I have now seen it 6 times and all 5 people in the theatre were there at my invitation, it was a 4:30pm Matinee on Monday. I took my Mom the 4th time, My Sister the 5th time and coworkers the 6th time.

Much Ado About Nothing continues to enchant and delight and the entire cast works well together. Great vacation for Joss and Kai.