As for myself, I usually can't watch classic operas being modernized. "Aida" with fireworks and circus gymnasts or "Tristan and Isolde" with mobile phones and handguns – no, thank you. The only exception is Mozart's "The Magic Flute": in my opinion, its surrealistic libretto can survive any modernization.
I see that the reviews for Branagh's adaptation are quite mixed, but I generally liked it. Joseph Kaiser is a great Tamino, Amy Carson is excellent as Pamina. Benjamin Davis may not have a very strong voice, but he has the cheerfulness and charm of Mozart's Papageno. The rest of the cast also fit their roles wonderfully.
The Masonic references are gone, but the rest of the libretto is preserved, with all its humor and fairytale aura.
There are only two moments in the film that really annoyed me. First, the combination of the overture with battle scenes. It looked, well, odd. Second, the suicide of the villains – the episode seemed a bit rushed and not quite understandable. I can see why the Queen of the Night killed herself, with her terrible pride. I can see why Monostatos killed himself, with his maniacal passion for Pamina. But the three ladies? Had they climbed up and agreed to serve Sarastro, he'd have pardoned them for sure (he'd have pardoned everyone, judging by his face). Of course, they could have been enormously devoted to the Queen Their suicide was something of an unsolved mystery.
But overall, the film is definitely a very nice one.
I see that the reviews for Branagh's adaptation are quite mixed, but I generally liked it. Joseph Kaiser is a great Tamino, Amy Carson is excellent as Pamina. Benjamin Davis may not have a very strong voice, but he has the cheerfulness and charm of Mozart's Papageno. The rest of the cast also fit their roles wonderfully.
The Masonic references are gone, but the rest of the libretto is preserved, with all its humor and fairytale aura.
There are only two moments in the film that really annoyed me. First, the combination of the overture with battle scenes. It looked, well, odd. Second, the suicide of the villains – the episode seemed a bit rushed and not quite understandable. I can see why the Queen of the Night killed herself, with her terrible pride. I can see why Monostatos killed himself, with his maniacal passion for Pamina. But the three ladies? Had they climbed up and agreed to serve Sarastro, he'd have pardoned them for sure (he'd have pardoned everyone, judging by his face). Of course, they could have been enormously devoted to the Queen Their suicide was something of an unsolved mystery.
But overall, the film is definitely a very nice one.