Poster for Gnomeo and Juliet. Photo via Walt Disney Studios.

Gnomeo and Juliet is a 2011 animated film which was directed by Kelly Asbury. It scored a box office gain of $193.9 million, and some of the voice actors include James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, including a musical number by Elton John, among many other guest performances.

Summary

The movie takes place in Stratford-Upon-Avalon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. In this town, Miss Capulet and Mr. Montague argue over whose garden looks better. However, when they’re not looking, the gardens themselves continue the fight. However, when two gnomes from opposite sides called Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) fall in love, they have to get over many hurdles to be together.

The good

Despite the basis of a children’s movie based on a Shakespearean tragedy, Gnomeo and Juliet is a fun movie with great animation for the time it was released. It does have its flaws, including mostly immature humor and not as deep of a plot as the original media. But, given its target audience, this can be looked past.  This movie was a cornerstone of childhood media to most, and watching it for the sense of nostalgia will not disappoint.

The main thing this movie has going for it are its animation, music, and general premise. It is a cute retelling of the classic Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet. Instead, it is retold with garden gnomes and other tools you’d find in a garden. The idea of even the rival families’ gardens hating each other is charming in a way due to how absurd it is. It has a sort-of classic Disney vibe to it.

The bad

However, nothing really stood out. Not much was attempted to make it stand out from the other charming animated kids’ films of the time. The dialogue felt basic, as well as the premise, although it was a creative way of going about it. This film basically feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie except it was produced in a spring environment. However, that’s what makes it an enjoyable film – it’s a low-risk film by the producers, but still worth the watch. This one gets an 8.5/10 for its safe, yet charming design.