Gnomeo and Juliet

It has taken me a while to get this one written, but here it goes.

This is a funny and bright remake of Romeo and Juliet, enacted with garden gnomes. For some true thespians and shakespeare worshippers this probably sounds repulsive, but, for those with a bit of a sense of humour, a love of cheesy kids films, and at least a tolerance of Elton John then this films is light and indulgent entertaining.

The story, is two gardens, two sets of families, boy gnome meets girl gnome from opposite family, forbidden romance ensues. Throw in a quite sweet pink flamingo, some top class voices (including James Mcavoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham and Patrick Stewart) and topped with a heavy dollop of Elton John (music, campness, the LOT) and you have this film.

Gnomeo and Juliet tries to be a film like so many other masterpieces (how to train your dragon, toy story's, up) that can be accessible and enjoyable to all ages. However, it just ever so slightly misses the mark. There are some quite adult jokes and themes that the children could not even start to begin to understand (evidence in the fact of having a seven year old on my knee going what's that? and what are they doing?). Then to make up for it, the film adds some awful random dance scenes in, that actually, no age would find funny.

Unlike the other films mentioned, it also lacks a certain charm. It's entertaining, but it doesnt stick with you. It doesn't give you a warm tingly feeling afterwards. It does however, make you sing the best of Elton John for the next week.
Not bad, quite entertaining: 3/5