The sound he uses is very exhilarating. There is music played after the chorus is told and this is like choral music, it shows to me great suspense. I picture two mean fighting to the death as I heard this music. As this is happening we see a montage of shots, getting faster and faster, crescendo. This is very thrilling. As this fades we get introduced by the Montagues. This is accompanied with a modern beat which shows that they are very laid back. Also the way they dress backs this up. They wear Hawaiian shirts, very colourful. Luhrman wanted to show them as very chilled people.
One of the first things I noticed was the setting, Luhrman choose to set it in Verona beach instead of setting it in Verona, Italy. This is more interesting to a modern audience as more people can relate to it. I thought it was very clever how he set the fight in a petrol station, as this is a place where everyone goes. I felt that their cars were like fashion statement, showing which one of theirs is better. Later on in the scene one of the Capulets vroom their car. They were trying to show they were the most powerful, stamping their authority and was and trying to threaten their rivals. There were other sound FX used other than the vroom of the car. The Foley team is responsible for this. The giggle that filled the silence made the hostility rise; this was an iconic symbol to show that something is going to happen. Then you saw one of the Capulets step out of the car with a cowboy boot. This gave the effect of the Capulets being trendy. As we see the rest of them, they are dressed up in black waistcoats. Black normally represents evil; I saw the resemblance to the evil cowboy. They were trying to intimidate other people with the clothes they wore.
When the two families met for the first time you could definitely feel the hatred and there was suspense in the air. You knew there was going to be a fight. At first the Capulet shouted, “BOO” to intimidate the Montagues. Luhrman wanted to show the Capulet’s more in control and aggressive. This contrasted to the Montagues cool approach. As they pulled out their guns I noticed a “ching” noise giving the image as if they were swords. They also had the word sword written on the side of the guns. I loved the comparison of the guns representing sword, it made it much more dramatic. As you heard the “ching” you knew it was an indicator for someone ready to fight.
I think the point that has the most friction is when Benvolio and Tybalt are looking at each other. Luhrman used Extreme Close-Up shots to show the anger in Tybalt’s eyes contrasted with the fear in Benvolio’s. There is also eerie music played and the sound of wind. The scenario gave me the impression of a cowboy film. Two cowboys having a death match. Everyone is silent as this stimulating event takes place. All of it builds up and then they start fighting each other. Tybalt opens his jacket to show his waistcoat of the sacred heart of Jesus. He puffs out his chest, which is telling them to “bring it on” without actually saying it.
In Shakespeare times black men were not aloud on stage, but obviously Luhrman hired actors that were of different race. When it was originally made they were divided into Protestant and Catholic, this wouldn’t excite us now. So he makes the change of ethnic backgrounds to bring it up to date. He also hires Leonard D’ Caprio as he has a unique selling point. This was his first famous movie and he was perfect to attract all the females.
I really enjoy the opening of Romeo and Juliet because it is very intense I always get chills when I watch it. Film is a very exciting medium in general but how Luhrman uses the settings, costumes, actors, etc. has definitely made the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet a scene never to forget.