This 1990 rendition of my favourite Shakespeare play features Mel Gibson, who has been somewhat cast as Hamlet. I'm not his greatest fan, but he did a decent job as the prince. The script sticks to the original, which was a nice surprise. I might have stopped watching if it didn't, to be honest. They've also stuck to the original time and place setting.
However, they have made a few interesting choices with who overhears who in many scenes (this is one area that many directors differ on, as weather particular people hear each others plans can change the tone of the play as a whole rather extensively). I don't agree with the direction of every scene in this respect, as it seems like everyone is spying on everyone else, and so (through extensive knowledge of one anothers' intent) every main character is plagued by the same inaction that Hamlet traditionally is.
I'd have changed a few other things too: I didn't like how the play (within a play) was still
stopped by the king thanks to his reaction to the poisoning, rather than
him stopping it because of what Hamlet was saying. I prefer the idea
that Hamlet ruined his own plan through over enthusiasm, giving away the plot of the play, and causing the king to freak out himself. I'd also rather than when Gertrude drinks the poison in the final scene, it seems more like she knows what she is doing, and is committing suicide, rather than the blissful ignorance in happiness that is portrayed here.
Despite this, the movie had many strong points. The sets are nice and the exterior shots, though not particularly traditional (it's odd to see in a play, anyway) are well put together. I didn't love Mel, but he did fine, and a lot of the other casting was good. Ian Holm is absolutely perfect as Polonious, and he brings the character to life possibly better than anyone else I've seen (it just occurs to me now how alike Polonius is to the monk guy in the capital from 'Game of Thrones'). Helena Bonham Carter is also excellent as Ophelia. She plays it straight very well in her fist scenes, and later turns all 'Harry Potter' with the same flourish as she later would when playing the crazed witch.
The "to be or not to be" speech was done alright, though I've seen better. It was a good move having him look at the shelved skeletons as he rants. Most of the character placement during the key moments was fairly unimaginative, but you can't go wrong with what they're doing traditionally, and the result is fine. As it sticks to the original quite closely (though the incest element is also played way up) and could be used as an element of teaching the play. An enjoyable movie for fans of Shakespeare, but could be boring for those who just want a historical drama.
Hamlet: 45.1