Gnomeo & Juliet

An animated version of Shakespeare’s oft re-told classic tale mixes garden gnomes, a cast of British stars with the back catalogue of Elton John.

James McAvoy and Emily Blunt are the star-crossed lovers with the suburban gardens taking the place of fair Verona. National treasures Michael Caine and Maggie Smith play the disapproving parents and head the supporting cast which reads like an Equity ‘A’ list.

The film rattles along at a good pace and McAvoy and Blunt are engaging but ultimately it’s the supporting cast who grab the best lines and provide the belly laughs, with Ashley Jensen proving a stand-out as ‘Frog’.

Well, Shakespeare may not quite be spinning in his grave but he’ll definitely be rotating slowly at the thought of his classic tragedy having a happy ending, but hey, it’s an enjoyable slice of animated fun.