Much Ado About Nothing

Lionsgate Films brings "Much Ado About Nothing" to Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1, showcasing a uniquely crisp and detailed black and white visual experience. Director Joss Whedon's choice to shoot using handheld digital cameras within the confines of his home results in a presentation that eschews the polished feel seen in his more grandiose projects like "The Avengers," for a more intimate and artistically rich aesthetic. The film benefits from a strong contrast ratio and a nuanced grayscale, which aids in delivering excellent fine detail across a variety of lighting conditions. While the intention to let southern California's sunshine impart a slight overbrightness to backgrounds achieves a glowing effect, it occasionally causes whites to bleed through more solid elements, such as doors and windows, slightly detracting from the otherwise solid black levels and detailed gray scale.

The digital cinematography lends the film an artistic quality that is both eye-catching and emotionally evocative. Shadows and gradients are meticulously rendered, avoiding issues like crushing or banding and allowing for a significant degree of visual depth. This attention to detail extends to the point where individual hairs, freckles, and even tears are discernable upon the characters' faces, with textures on clothing and props (such as glitter-encrusted masks) vividly presented. Despite minor moments of noise in darker scenes and the occasional blowout due to the bold lighting choices, the overall image quality never falters significantly. Contrast is exemplary throughout, ensuring that both the subtle and more pronounced visual aspects of this Shakespeare adaptation are beautifully conveyed, honoring Whedon's creative vision without losing touch with the textual intricacies and character nuances that define "Much Ado About Nothing.

The audio component of "Much Ado About Nothing" on Blu Ray, delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, provides a clear and precise auditory experience, particularly vital for a film as dialogue-centric as this. The majority of the film's sonic focus is directed towards the center, ensuring that every line of dialogue is distinct and comprehensible, showcasing an emphasis on verbal clarity over auditory extravagance. The movie being inherently rich in speech doesn't lend itself to frequent low-frequency effects (LFE), which are sparingly used, aligning with the narrative's requirements rather than the possibilities of sound technology.

In scenes brimming with characters or set outdoors, the audio track cleverly utilizes ambient sounds and the musical score to enrich the environment, subtly expanding into the surround channels to provide a broader soundstage. This effort creates a pleasing aura of immersion in specific moments, such as during dinner parties or outdoor scenes, where the blend of background chatter and environmental sounds like wind or steps provide a hint of spatial depth. The score, composed by Joss Whedon, also benefits from this treatment, weaving through scenes with a delicate balance that complements rather than overwhelms.

However, despite these moments of auditory expansiveness, the soundstage remains largely front-focused and restrained, reflecting the film's intimate and conversational nature. The mix eschews aggressive sonic dynamics in favor of a more nuanced approach that honors the text's eloquence and the subtleties of performance. This strategic choice may not cater to those seeking a deeply immersive audio experience but perfectly suits the film's aesthetic, ensuring that the essence of Shakespeare's wit and verbal playfulness is never lost in translation.

The "Much Ado About Nothing" Blu-Ray extras present an invigorating behind-the-scenes look that complements the main feature excellently. Director Joss Whedon's commentary stands out for its entertaining and engaging nature, wrapping technical details, personal anecdotes, and a clear passion for the project into a delightful package. The cast commentary, despite its chaotic introduction and party-like atmosphere, offers an amusing juxtaposition that fans will find both insightful and entertaining. Additional features like the making-of documentary and the whimsical "Bus Ado About Nothing" provide an enriching context to the film's production. The "Sigh No More" music video rounds off the extras with a creative flourish that ties back to the film's artistic achievements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director's Commentary with Joss Whedon: An engaging and witty insight into the film's production from Whedon's perspective.
• Commentary with Cast and Joss Whedon: A lively discussion featuring various cast members.
• Much Ado About Making Nothing: A featurette exploring the making of the film with cast and crew interviews.
• Bus Ado About Nothing: Documents the cast and crew's trip to a film festival.
• Sigh No More Music Video: A musical piece related to the film.

Joss Whedon's adaptation of Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing" distinguishes itself through a modern, yet intimate approach that stands in stark contrast to more traditional renditions of the Bard’s work. Filmed in black and white within the confines of Whedon's own residence over a brisk 12-day period, this version trades grandiose sets and costumes for the nuanced inner lives of its characters, offering a new lens through which to view the timeless play. Its unique setting -- Whedon’s Los Angeles mansion -- and the informal ethos resonating throughout the film, create a somewhat discordant yet charmingly informal backdrop to Shakespeare's intricate narrative. The ensemble cast, composed of Whedon's long-time collaborators, delivers performances that are both earnest and refreshingly engaging, with Nathan Fillion’s portrayal of Dogberry providing an exemplary mix of hilarity and depth.

This adaptation presents a clever intertwining of Shakespeare’s comedic methods with Whedon’s contemporary framing, effectively utilizing the contrast between seasoned and naïve lovers to weave a narrative that is accessible and compelling. Adding layers to characters such as Benedick and Beatrice through suggested pre-existing histories offers viewers, especially younger ones accustomed to modern romantic dynamics, an anchor within the Shakespearean dialogue. The camerawork supports this approach by capturing intimate interactions and broader ensemble antics with equal finesse, although the modern setting occasionally clashes with the script’s Elizabethan roots without offering new interpretive insight.

Despite any deviations from Shakespeare's original setting, Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing" is an intriguing experiment in adaptation that maintains the spirit of its source material while injecting a distinctly personal flair. The film benefits from uniformly strong performances across its cast, with a particularly standout role filled by Nathan Fillion. As a venture born out of passion and personal connection to Shakespeare's work, it serves as a testament to Whedon's versatile craftsmanship and offers an enjoyable, albeit unconventional, entry point for those less acquainted with Shakespearean theatre.

Joss Whedon's adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" comes through as an intriguing, albeit mixed, experience that blends classic literature with modern filmmaking sensibilities. Critics seem to agree that fans of Whedon’s work will delight in his treatment of the material, admiring his unbridled and versatile talent. However, the choice of a contemporary setting and attire does introduce an ironic sense of anachronism that might not sit well with all viewers. While this decision presumably aims to bridge the gap between the original text's complexity and today's audience, it occasionally feels more like a convenient decision rather than a fully realized vision. Nevertheless, the film is praised for its fluid filming techniques and some standout performances, particularly noting Nathan Fillion's comedic brilliance. The technical aspects of the Blu Ray presentation, notably the great black and white video quality and solid audio, complement the overall experience, with interesting extras that aficionados will appreciate.

The general consensus points to "Much Ado About Nothing" as a refreshing alternative to the often formulaic offerings of mainstream cinema, positioning it as a gem for those open to its experimental charm. Its appeal spans across fans of Shakespeare, Whedon's directorial approach, or simply those in search of quality film-making that deviates from the norm. Thus, despite some noted reservations regarding its modern execution, the film is evidently well-received amongst critics and viewers alike for its innovation and entertainment value.

Conclusively, "Much Ado About Nothing" is a commendable effort by Joss Whedon that marries Shakespeare’s timeless wit with contemporary flair. While its modern makeover may divide purists from more adaptive viewers, it undeniably stands out for its compelling performances, technical prowess on Blu Ray, and unique position within both the Lexicon of Shakespeare adaptations and Whedon’s diverse body of work. Recommended for those seeking an engaging, offbeat cinematic experience.