Ok if you aren't a big fan of shakespeare

I love Shakespeare AND musicals, and while the film doesn't succeed fully as either form when judged by their own standards, the combination of the two does manage to add up to a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Moreover, I feel like Branagh was well-aware of this, and is careful not to let either medium ever get too carried away; the musical numbers are on a smaller (and much-less complicated) scale than most big 1930's musicals, and the Shakespeare is pared waaaaaaaay down, leaving generally only what would be easily understood and found humorous by contemporary audiences.

I'm not always a fan of Branagh's adaptations, and some of the casting was a bit painful at times, but overall the idea behind this WAS rather brilliant. "The Comedy of Errors" and "The Taming of the Shrew" have both been made into highly successful musicals; kudos to Branagh for recognizing the possibilities here, as well. It's a shame it didn't do better in Box Offices, I loved it!