The prologue in the film is repeated three times, once by a TV newsreader, again by a male voice and thirdly it is flashed on the screen. The prologue is the same as the Shakespeare one only Luhrmann has edited out the last two lines. It is also very visually exciting. This Prologue shows the size and power of the two empires of Montague and Capulet. This shows that the two families lives revolve around money, it reminds the audience of a familiar program called Dallas. Luhrmann uses thing like music, images, sound effects and various other editing techniques to make the film appealing to a young audience.
The music in the film’s prologue is very upbeat and modern. It can be called both operatic and dramatic, it gets louder and louder through the prologue to build up a thrilling climax. It leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. Luhrmann uses sound effects of helicopters to show confusion in Verona. Gunfire is also a vital sound effect used it shows violence and danger. He also portrays danger by using the screams of a little child. The second time the prologue is used in the film is by a voice over. This voice of the voice over is very serious. It is very deep and it suggests weight and gravitas, it also seems an emotional voice. It shows the seriousness of the play.
Baz Luhrmann uses images to connote themes and aspects of characters. Also symbols are used to send out a message without the use of words. Luhrmann uses an aerial view to show all of Verona beach. In the middle the audience can see two large buildings which stand out. They are the empires of Montague and Capulet, “both alike in dignity” The two buildings face each other but they are physically on different sides of the city, this shows that the two families are rivals. The only thing separating them is a statue of Jesus. The same statue is flashed on the screen many times in the prologue, this represents the importance of religion in the two families lives. Even though the fact that religion is important to these two families, that still go out and commit crime and murder people. They are a black cloud over Verona.
Various editing techniques are used in the prologue to make it visually exciting. Luhrmann uses shaky camera work to make some parts look like a news report, this draws the audience in, and it makes them want more. It makes it seem more common to the audience. Luhrmann flashes the words of the prologue on the screen. Even with the words he sends out a religious message, all the T’s are in the shape of crosses in relation to Jesus. Luhrmann shows the audience a very crowded Verona this shows danger, excitement, chaos and turmoil.
Baz Luhrmann uses aerial shots to show the whole of Verona. He uses long shots on an object then he zooms in to close shots very rapidly, this make the audience excited. Luhrmann also uses close shots to show the emotion on the faces of the characters. He also used long shots to show the effects on Verona by the two families, destruction and chaos.
The setting of the film is a modern, urban setting. It is set in Verona beach, nowhere near Italy and it is a familiar place to the audience, it is similar to Las Angeles. Some scenes are even shot in Las Angeles
In Act 3 Scene 1 Tybalt chooses to get into a fight with Romeo. Romeo declines to fight with Tybalt because they are now family. It is a very hot day and it represents “mad blood stirring” Mercutio defends the honour of Romeo by fighting Tybalt. Benvolio at this time is scared and Tybalt is very cocky, lots of zoom shots are used on Mercutio. Romeo trying to stop the fight causes the death of his dear friend. As soon as Mercutio dies a black cloud covers the beach, this shows the downside of this sunny day at the beach. Mercutio shouts out “a plague on both your houses” and lightning strikes this lightning shows how fast time has past. This is the turning point of the play; it is the fury of nature. It leaves Tybalt shocked at what he has done. Mercutio is left on the beach as the wind blows sand over his body, he is now “worms meat”
Later on in the scene it is dark and raining, these are dangerous conditions Luhrmann has presented. Romeo’s car crashes into Tybalts’ and then Romeo kills Tybalt to get revenge. Romeo had tears in his eyes. As Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet’s face is flashed on the screen many times. Romeo is also shocked at what he has done. Romeo drops his gun, this symbolises that it is all over, the gun has the Virgin Mary on it. From this point the chief exiles Romeo, this mean Juliet cannot see him again. This effects Romeo and Juliet, it puts a stop on their relationship. At the end of the Scene the statue of Jesus is shown only this time it has scaffolding on it, establishing religion is lost.
In this Scene many different themes are highlighted like time, family, love hate and death, “you shall find me a grave man”
Baz Luhrmann portrays the characters of the play to be like mafia members. They all believe in religion but they are all obsessed with violence, sinful pleasure and wealth. In the film Lady Capulet is represented to be a heavy drinker and a man-eater. Luhrmann represents her this way to make her seem unstable and to make her seem as she needs to have a drink to get away from her problems. Lord Capulet on the other hand is represented to be an unreasonable old man who is also a wife beater. From this the audience can learn that he thinks he knows what is best for Juliet.
Tybalt is represented as being evil. He has sharp sideburns and a pointed beard that makes him relate to the devil. From this the audience can learn that Tybalt has a very angry personality and is one who cannot take a joke. Juliet’s Nurse is shown as a big, ugly and a stupid person but she is still a kind person who Juliet can turn to when in need. In the film Mercutio is represented to be a cross dresser and a drug taker, He is not like this in the original play. He is represented like this because it shows he is very troubled, but he is also fun-loving and a king of a joker.
In conclusion I think Baz Luhrmann has made this film for a modern audience in the type of music he has used, the sound effects and most importantly the setting in a modern day place, familiar to the audience. His view of the play is that love is more important then anything else in the play, nothing comes near. He is trying to send out the message that these people are dying for the wrong reasons. With all of the techniques he uses he make this film very visually exciting for the audience.