The Bard gets kid-friendly treatment in this iconographic-animated adaptation of the 2016 book retelling by Luke Daniel Paiva and illustrator Roberto Irace of Shakespeare’s classic comic play. A brief segment introduces the cast of characters, with notes about their roles. Against a background of smoke filtering out of a nearby volcano in the Sicilian city of Messina, soldier Claudio returns from war to celebrate with his favorite lady Hero, while others help a romance to blossom between the stubborn Benedict and Beatrice. Don John—who has slicked-back hair and is always rudely eating dessert before anyone else can have some—is the bitter fellow who sets into motion a plan of mistaken identity (although there are certainly no age-inappropriate bedchamber scenes) that leaves everyone feuding until the wacky constable Dogberry gets on the case. While obviously a loose treatment, there is enough here to give young viewers the gist of the plot and maybe spur early interest in Shakespeare, whose life and career is outlined in a closing segment. Also featuring a read-along option, this is recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (J. Williams-Wood)
Much Ado About Nothing
(2018) 17 min. DVD: $38.99. Dreamscape Media. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1520092-485. Volume 33, Issue 4
Much Ado About Nothing
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: