Macbeth (2015)

Macbeth as one of Shakespeare's most popular plays has been adapted many times therefore it is responsibility of the filmmaker to bring something new with their own vision when bringing to the screen. On one hand technically this film is impressive from its production design, and especially a costume which are dynamic in creating this version of the film. The real alternative take though comes from Justin Kurzel at the helm attempting to do offering Macbeth less a story of a man being consumed by ambition but rather being consumed by his own dormant madness from the wounds of war and the losses in his life. This is interesting in its approach and effective in terms of the performances granted through this take from Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard as the Macbeths. There are brilliant individual sequences realized this approach such the addition of having Macbeth directly confronting the king's son after the murder, and the massacre of Macduff's family to which the Lady Macbeth participates in as this almost witch burning ceremony. As many outstanding choices the overall aesthetic decisions, and forceful hand by Kurzel do wear thin at times. In his Zach Snyder slow motion in the opening battle, or his purposeful choice to seemingly aggravate with his pacing, not every decision is effective nor do they even all meld together towards creating what seems to be the central purpose of this version. This adaptation in parts is incredible, however in others is tiresome. Kurzel only aims for the highest peaks as adaptation goes, and occasionally finds them, while at other moments falls off into a deep pit of lingering shots, mood music, and lifelessness.
3.5/5