I am no film critic.  I don't know anything about the technical aspects, camera movements...nothing.  That being said, this movie review might be really, really lame.

     I am not a Shakespeare fan.  Never have been, and likely never will be.  But when choosing my favorite movie, there's only one that comes to mind, and that, is Hamlet.  Not the one by Mel Gibson.  No, that one is total garbage.  My cinema-love belongs to the 1996 version, adapted and directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also plays the film's star, the Prince of Denmark himself.

     This version of the film is completely unabridged, making it just over four hours in length, with a brief intermission for when it originally was in theaters.  Four hours might seem like a drag, however, Branagh and his unique, non-traditional cast make this movie bearable.  Unlike Shakespeare's time, the cast features characters of different ages, races- and some of the characters don't even brandish an English accent.  There's fantastic cameos, by highly known actors such as Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon and Billy Crystal.  The scenery is in a breathtaking castle, though the props within those settings are simple, making the actors and their actions even more prominent.  

The standout star of this film is without a doubt Branagh.  His portrayal of Hamlet is poignant and while he is speaking you can't help but to stare at him, listening to his every word and thinking it over in your head.  Reading Hamlet, I sort of liked the character, and though, "Alright, I get what this guy is saying."  But watching it, and seeing the emotions play across Branagh's face, they were so much more apparent, and so much more strong.

Even for the Shakespeare critic, this film is bound to have some impact on you.  It's timeless, and fantastically made.