is this a good movie?

I can definitely see where you're coming from, although I do disagree. Branagh definitely has a certain degree of "self-conceit," but that is in all of his films (see "Dead Again"--you'll know what I mean). However, that is exactly what makes him such a powerful actor--sometimes you hate his guts (as in some of the earlier, plodding scenes), and other times you want to cheer for him all the way (the "Crispin's Day" speech--best Shakespeare monologue ever filmed). The point is, it was Shakespeare's exact intention to create such a complex character and that is the genius of Branagh's portrayal. He is one of a shrinking number of actors who can bring out such intense levels and contrasts of characters in his performances.

As for the ending, it is a bit "tacked on", as you so nobly put it, but that's exactly how it feels in the play. This sudden change in tone is purposely a non sequitor to emotionally "shake" the audience from the horrors of war to the sweet words of wooing. Derek Jacobi's last chorus hurrah is a bit cheesy, but I feel it concludes the story quite nicely; it's a wonderful "bookend" for this epic story.

On a slightly different note, many of you have been making comments about the "way they say the words." Branagh (as director) has done everything in his power to make the lines as interesting as possible by casting wonderful character actors who truly bring the story to life. In my opinion, it has the most "bearable" readings of Shakespeare's words of any modern adaptation (except maybe "Titus"). If you can't handle the dialogue in this movie, then you're just not cut out for Shakespeare.

And one final note, regarding the recommendation of Polanski's "Macbeth." While Polanski is an incredibly talented and deep-probing director, his "Macbeth" is often pretentious, dated, and morbid (and, yes--I realize the source text is quite morbid, but naked witches, naked little kids and some of the most disgusting make-up ever shown on screen is a bit too much). Plus, it gets the prize for Longest-Pointless-Shot-Ever-Filmed (when the witches are walking away after their first meeting with Macbeth and Banquo). At times an acceptably "out-there" Art House film, at other times a blatantly misread piece of shock cinema, it does not do justice to its source. Please don't defend this film simply because Polanski directed it, although I would like to see him take another try at "Macbeth" not that he's out of the dark times of his life.

yes, that is a good macbeth.



You stay classy, San Diego.