Film and CD review
By Rama Gaind
Gnomeo and Juliet is a mischievous, but entertaining 3D animation that shifts action from William Shakespeare’s drama to the backyard with some very likeable garden ornaments.
Getting caught up in a feud between neighbours, garden gnomes Gnomeo (voiced by James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) have to overcome many obstacles.
They do so in style, despite lawnmower races and plastic pink flamingos.
Watching the ornaments come ‘alive’, fall in love and conduct war over the back fence makes for some merry viewing. They are a delightfully zany collection.
What’s more they have fun to songs by Elton John.
The 14-track Gnomeo & Juliet soundtrack (Universal Music) features nine new and classic songs by the prolific song-writing team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
The key tracks include two new songs Hello Hello and Love Builds a Garden. The remake of Crocodile Rock is sung as a duet with Nellie Furtado.
Some standout tracks include Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (a duet with Kiki Dee) Bennie and the Jets, Your Song, Tiny Dancer and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.
The album also has selections from James Newton Howard and Chris Bacon.
Sir Elton rightly says: “The film is a big love story and very funny”. It also has musical numbers that blend in beautifully!
