There is a change of scene, with a long shot of two towers one with Capulet on top of it and one with Montague. These are the names of the two feuding families. This shows the two families are very important and powerful.
It also emphasises the importance of the feud.
The music is dramatic, it makes you feel like the film will be action packed. When the music ends the words ‘ two star crossed lovers’ is shown, this is from the prologue. The screen then goes black and in white letters it says ‘take their lives’ . The letter t represents a cross to show death, this emphasizes the idea of destiny or fate.
The characters are then shown one by one in freeze frame with their name. The Prince of Verona is now the chief of police. He has been given a modern posistion that has authority, similar to a Prince.
The first scene starts with Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio in a car playing rap music. They drive to a petrol station and stop. They are laughing and joking until a black car pulls into the petrol station. Suddenly, the Montagues go quiet and watch the car carefully. A close up shot shows the car door open and Tybalt gets out. The camera only shows his feet. He is wearing black boots with big silver heels.
The camera zooms out and the viewers can see the whole of Tybalt, he is wearing black. He has dark hair and skin. He looks intimidating, like a member of a gang. The other Capulets get out of the car. There is absolute silence as the Capulets and Montagues stare at each other.
There are close up shots of everyones face and their guns. Tybalt has the Capulet crest on his gun. The close up shots build up the tension.
Benvolio makes a gesture at Tybalt, he then draws his gun and fires at Benvolio. A fight erupts. The camera quickly changes from one person to another. This makes the fight scene seem more exciting.
Benvolio chases Tybalt down the road. A long camera shot shows a police helicopter. It hovers above them and orders them to drop their guns.
This is the third brawl between the two families. The chief of police tells them this is their last warning.
This scene is an updated version of the one in Shakespeare’s play, when the servants of the two families are fighting in the sreet.
I think Baz Luhrman’s interpretation is very effective. For example the Prince of Verona is now the chief of police. Also, the quick changes of scene and camera shots can quickly change the mood of the film.
