Rating of
3/4
2000 years of violence in a 2.5 film experiment.
Indyfreak - wrote on 10/08/18
Juliet Taymor's epic length adaptation of Shakespeare's most violent play doesn't hold back on the gruesomeness and darker tone. Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange trade barbs as bitter political enemies against the sordid backdrop of Rome. Hopkins is Titus Andronicus the aging Roman general tired of Roman politics while Lange plays the vengeful Tamora, Queen of the Goths.
The unique setting benefits from a timeless feel thanks to the merging of contemporary and ancient technology. Tanks and motorcycles are driven by chariots and horses while video games and microphones are used alongside swords and crossbows. Though the timeless element winds up dated by some cheesy 90s effects for these silly and unnecessary dream sequences.
The cast is good. Hopkins is authoritative as ever and Jessica Lange is a devious femme fatale. However two members of the supporting cast outshine them and walk off with the movie. The first is Alan Cumming as the depraved ruler Saturnine and Harry Lennix as the evil scheming Aaron, Tamora's lover and slave. Cumming is a lot of fun cackling and prancing around. Meanwhile Lennix brings much needed menace and gravitas to his scenes.
