 Troma Studios // Buy from Amazon.comIt's the 10th anniversary of Troma's landmark release Tromeo and Juliet! The first film written by James Gunn, who went on to write 2004's Dawn of the Dead and write/direct Slither, Tromeo and Juliet moves Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed love from 16th Century Verona to a crumbling modern day New York. Featuring all the body piercing, kinky sex, car crashes and dismemberment that Shakespeare always wanted but never had, Tromeo and Juilet is the most subversive and original literary adaptation ever put on screen! While on the surface "Tromeo & Juliet" is Troma's retelling of the Shakespearean tale of doomed romance, it actually delivers on several different levels. Sure, you thespians and would-be English majors will be able to quote line & verse about why Willy S. wrote this, or whether or not Francis Bacon wrote all of Shakespeare's plays, but for the non-eggheads out there, this is pure, cinematic, b-movie gold. Witness the first appearance of the infamous Troma monster that (literally) explodes into the frame (from where I shall not repeat, for fear of kids reading this). Witness the gravel-voiced singer of Lemmy delivering a drunken performance worthy of Lindsay Lohan's finest night on the town. Revel in the epic script penned by none other than Mr. "Slither" and "Dawn of the Dead (2004)" James Gunn (the lesser-half of Pam from NBC's "The Office" doncha know). Add in blood, guts, and Troma (nuff said on the last point) and you have a truly epic tale that is unlike any previously committed to celluloid. While "Tromeo" may not be most Tromahead's fave flick, it deserves quite a bit of respect, because it does deliver the b-movie schlockness we all know & love, but also ascribes to be more than that. Whether it succeeds or fails at that is open to interpretation, but regardless of that fact, it's a friggin' hoot to watch, and there are things in this film you will likely never see on screen again, so for that alone, check it out. Video While you might be expecting a lovingly-remastered 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer here, true to form, Mr. Troma himself, Lloyd Kaufman, chooses to shoot his films in full-frame 1.33:1 aspect ratios, so he can pack the most meat (literally & figuratively) into his cinematic opii (that's plural for "opus" for those not in the know, y'know?). The film has been remastered here and looks fantastic - as much as a Troma film can - and this is easily the best this movie has ever looked! Audio Troma may not have the best rep with regards to sonic quality of their releases, but they've done themselves, and their patient fans, justice with this one. It be stereo, but it be good, clean stereo - a definite step up for the littleHell's Kitchen studio that could. Extras Closing Thoughts Truly epic Troma opus + 2nd disc worth of goodies = must-have for any fans of b-movies worldwide! :: This review written for CalgaryMovies.com :: |
