Surprisingly good-natured and likeable teen comedy, which mixes and re-uses a number of Shakespearean themes and adapts them to our modern world. The writing is clever and there are a number of good jokes. Amanda Bynes (as Viola) and Channing Tatum (as Duke Orsini) are pretty watchable and the rest of the cast does its best, too.
Like I've said, the movie is aimed mainly at a teenage audience, but older viewers can enjoy it too.
However, this thing works only if you are willing to indulge in some industrial-strength suspension of disbelief. Otherwise you are likely to spend much of the running time shouting things like : "How can anyone mistake her for a boy ? She's clearly female, you cretins !" or "How can anyone mistake her for her twin brother ? For chrissakes, he's a foot taller !" Mind you, it gives a whole new meaning to the traditional "So how is your guide dog today ?" insult hurled at referees.
Like I've said, the movie is aimed mainly at a teenage audience, but older viewers can enjoy it too.
However, this thing works only if you are willing to indulge in some industrial-strength suspension of disbelief. Otherwise you are likely to spend much of the running time shouting things like : "How can anyone mistake her for a boy ? She's clearly female, you cretins !" or "How can anyone mistake her for her twin brother ? For chrissakes, he's a foot taller !" Mind you, it gives a whole new meaning to the traditional "So how is your guide dog today ?" insult hurled at referees.