Romeo X Juliet: Romeo Collection

A reworking of Shakespeare's classic play, Romeo X Juliet retains the basic ingredients: two houses, two lovers, and impending tragedy. In this version, however, the Montagues have crushed the Capulets to seize rule of the floating city of Neo Verona, with young Juliet Capulet the only survivor of that house. As she nears her 16th birthday, the day she is to learn of her heritage, Juliet attends a party where she meets a charming young man. Despite having an evil father, Romeo Montague is sweet and sincere; both he and Juliet have a social conscience, and she has been dressing up as the Red Whirlwind vigilante to help downtrodden people. But after they fall in love, Romeo and Juliet decide to leave behind their previous lives and run away together. Naturally, their past won't let them go. Boosted by a strong musical soundtrack and sharp, colorful animation, Romeo X Juliet tries to forge its own story while drawing on both the original and other Shakespearean works (the Bard himself appears as an insightful, foppish playwright). Although the pacing is sometimes slow and the melodrama occasionally heavy, romantics will enjoy this series and fans of Shakespeare can play spot-the-reference. Presenting the first 12 episodes (of 24 total) from 2007, this dual-language two-disc set, suitable for 13-up, includes a bonus “making-of” featurette. Recommended. [Note: Romeo X Juliet: Juliet Collection is also newly available.] Aud: P. (L. Martincik)