Comparing Baz Luhrmann's Romeo And Juliet

'Romeo and Juliet' is a play written by Shakespeare during the Elizabethan time, and illustrates the tragic destiny of two star-cross lovers, who have fallen in love with each other but sacrificed themselves due to family feud. Baz Luhrmann produced a movie called 'Romeo + Juliet' in 1996, which follows the plot of the original play but converted into modern settings by the use of modern elements, characterisation, theatrical techniques, symbolism and a few suitable alterations. Hence, Baz Luhrmann's modern adaptation is successful.

Baz Luhrmann accentuates the modern settings by laying the scenes in L.A., while Shakespeare's play was set in the city known by its artistic heritage, Verona. The modern settings are also emphasised through the substitute of technology such as the often appearance of helicopters, and the replacement of swords by guns in the movie. Modern elements is frequently used throughout the film, for example, instead of being spoken by the chorus, the prologue was delivered by an African American news reporter which depicts people's acceptance of multiculturalism in contemporary society. The film commences with a fast-paced montage of newspaper headlines to highlight the key words from the prologue "Ancient
In the original context, Juliet wakes up discovering Romeo's death, then suicides with a dagger, but Baz Luhrmann changed the scene by showing signs of Juliet awaking, such as the movement of fingers and the blinks while Romeo is overwhelmed by the sorrow and missed the signs. Such alteration has a great impact on engaging the audience and arousing their frustration and compassion, while creating a melancholic atmosphere by the sombre music playing in the