I think Kenneth Branagh's films based on Shakespeare’s plays have been a significant achievement. I don't mean that they received positive reviews or were financially successful. For me, **HENRY V** was the first time I found myself interested in Shakespeare and able to follow both the language and the story. His versions of **MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING** and **HAMLET** only strengthened my belief. It even seemed possible at one point that we might eventually see nearly all 37 of Shakespeare’s stories enjoyed by contemporary audiences, though it's unlikely now that would happen entirely under Branagh's direction. Perhaps others shared this feeling, as a new company was established – _THE SHAKESPEARE FILM COMPANY_. This production company, dedicated to Shakespearean productions and led by Branagh, didn't perform well financially with **LOVE’S LABOUR'S LOST** and closed down after its only slightly more promising release... > **_AS YOU LIKE IT_** Duke Senior presides over a contented group of people until his jealous brother exiles him and seizes the throne. The story centers on the banished king's daughter as she experiences love for a young farmer while under the scrutiny of her disapproving uncle. The film features a cast with many recognizable names, accompanied by another evocative score from Patrick Doyle. The cinematography and production design are visually appealing. Setting the story in Japan is an interesting choice; it has several positive aspects. However, it ultimately feels unclear and muddled. The initial part of the movie effectively places Shakespeare’s narrative within a Shogun-ruled Japan. Yet, to me, the storyline seems to wander from that premise until only the costumes hint at Japanese influence. Perhaps relocating the story to this cultural setting was an idea that wasn't fully developed. Bryce Dallas Howard is compelling as Rosalind, portraying her with intelligence and a smile. Alfred Molina delivers an excellent performance as the clown, whose scenes contain the film’s few genuinely humorous moments. Many familiar faces from Branagh’s Shakespeare community appear in various roles, including Brian Blessed as the sympathetic banished king and his tyrannical brother. Sadly, Kevin Kline, who is usually wonderful, gives a subdued and unremarkable portrayal of Jaques, making him easily forgotten by the time the credits roll. Adrian Lester also feels like he's being underserved. Branagh certainly knows how to make things look good on screen, but his approach to adapting Shakespeare’s work isn't as strong or assured as it was in his earlier films. Maybe this reflects more about the original plays themselves, but there are some surprising choices that don’t quite connect with modern sensibilities. For example, the play’s most famous line, _All the world's a stage_, is delivered over a soft-focus shot of Jaques sitting far away and out of focus, effectively losing its impact. **AS YOU LIKE IT** is considerably better than **LOVE’S LABOUR'S LOST**, but not enough to revive the _Shakespeare Film Company_. Other filmmakers are now stepping up and offering fresh, modern interpretations of Shakespeare without altering his language or story into something unrecognizable. We might still see a "Shakespeare Cinematic Universe" emerge after all.

Source on TMDB