No matter how many times I watch this, I will never understand why Keanu Reeves of all people was cast. One of the worst performances I've seen in a good movie. It does'nt help that this mediocrity shows, being overpowered by a much better cast.

Still, he does'nt ruin the film in any way. This is wonderfully acted by the magnificent ensemble of Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale, and many others. Beautiful landscape and cinematography. Funny and lively, almost like an old-fashioned comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age. This is a fun adaptation of one of William Shakespeare's lighter films, but with a Pythonesque touch that works pretty well.

The best thing about "Much Ado About Nothing" are Denzel Washington, Robert Sean Leonard and the other "conspirators" running around like 5-year-olds, laughing their heads off. And Kenneth Branagh and his folding chair, of course. Mix that with really beautiful pictures of people and countryside and you've got a brilliant movie.

Not a bad little rom-com, but Keanu is horribly under-utilised, and clearly not enjoying his role.

The director makes complete fools of Michael Keaton and Ben Elton, seemingly trying to be post-modern Pythonesque. I'm sure that Dogberry can be played well. I think I've seen it done.

Ken and Emma put in another adequate performance, though they once again fail to expose the genius of the text. Perhaps their strategy is to present the "lite" experience of Shakespeare to a less discerning rabble? Good job, then.

Watchable.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

A solid adaptation of one of Shakespeare's better plays.

Cada vez que la veo me resulta igual de fresca. Kenneth Branagh y su máster especializado en Shakespeare nos dan una gran comedia repleta de actorazos y donde los más débiles son Keanu Reeves y Robert Sean Leonard.

http://margaretperry.org/on-this-unworthy-scaffold-experiencing-shakespeare-on-film/

Hey, nonny nonny!
A better Benedick than Kenneth Branagh there never was.
I want to BE Emma Thompson.
Can I just watch the two of them interact as Benedick and Beatrice forever? How much money would I need to hire them to go through life in character? I think I need to go rob a bank.

In general I think this could have been cast better. Kenny-boy and Emma steal the show, but Denzel and Keanu leave much to be desired.
The one glaring catastrophe in this is Michael Keaton's Beatl--I mean, Dogberry. It's like watching Beetlejuice with none of the likability.
Too creepy to ever watch again.
Will be fast forwarding through it when I re-watch.

Kenneth Branagh does Shakespeare better than anyone else. Better than the Bard himself, even.

Kenneth Branagh once again brings out the best in Shakespeare by collecting a great cast and giving the film a great energy. Branagh and Emma Thompson spark off each other as Benedick and Beatrice nicely and Richard Briers is an effective Leonato, as is Denzel Washington as Don Pedro. Only Keanu Reeves seemed a tad out of his depth as Don John but as it's a small role it didn't matter that much. It was interesting seeing the play in its proper setting, as I have only seen it in a modern setting on stage and Branagh made good use of the natural surroundings, such as the Benedick overhearing scene, where he hides behind hedges. Possibly the weakest of his adaptations that I've seen so far but the play itself is weaker than Henry V and Hamlet so that's not saying much.

I know we are all looking forward to the Joss Whedon Much Ado, but this one sets a pretty high bar. As does any movie that lets Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh do their period piece thing. Throw in a young Kate Beckinsale, a charming Denzel Washington, a lil Robert Sean Leonard, and a comically awful Keanu Reeves and you have quite a charming show.