Analyse the way in which Baz Luhrmann uses Cinematic devices in the opening scenes to make Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet accessible to the modern audience.

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Analyse the way in which Baz Luhrmann uses Cinematic devices in the opening scenes to make Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet accessible to the modern audience.

Baz Luhrmann's 1997 film version of Romeo and Juliet is updated to the modern age while still retaining the original dialogue. The opening shots are unusual but highly affective. Luhrmann starts off with a static long shot focusing on a TV in the middle of the screen. The television immediately explains that the story has been modernised. He then zooms in slowly, taking the audience with him as we wonder what is going on and what will happen next. The TV changes channel to a news report presented by a coloured female, showing us that the film is firmly set in the 20th Century. The camera then jump into the screen and reveals long shots, pans and aerial shots of the modern city of Verona. This is very effective at adding to the appeal for teenagers. Two sky scrapers, one belonging to the Montagues and one the Capulets, are shown in this scene. This gives us the understanding that they are business rivals. Between the two buildings is a large statue of Jesus, which