How does Baz Luhrmann interpret Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Essay

How does Baz Luhrmann interpret Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Baz Luhrmann’s reinvention of Shakespeare’s classic Rome and Juliet depicts the classic tragedy through a visual kaleidoscope of Hong Kong action picture paradigms of chaos and color. The Luhrmann production is unconventional, moving the location to Verona Los Angeles.   The trademark use of color is juxtaposed against the bleak backdrop of gang warfare, which permeates throughout the film.   At the beginning of the film, Luhrmann opens with the prologue. In stark contrast to the well known Zeferelli version of the tragedy, Luhrmann’s conveys the prologue as a newsreel on the television as a news report. The opening sequences and title scenes of the film plays a vital role in engaging the audience and preparing the audience as to what to expect from the movie with great effect.   This places the audience at ease. The opening sequences and title scenes of both films play a vital role in engaging the audience a nd preparing the audience as to what to expect from the movie with great effect.   Moreover, Luhrmann uses quick flashes of the prologue at the beginning of the film either as newspaper headlines or in bold writing. Lurhmann’s visual narrative mirrors Shakespeare’s use of symbolism in the opening scene as there appears a broken ring on the screen. This symbolizes the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’s love story and further mirrors Shakespeare’s lexical technique of dramatic irony in his prose.