Is The Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2022)

📖 The Core Premise

The Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet returns to the screen in 2022, bringing a fresh narrative to the Music genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "When Australian composer Brett Dean’s Hamlet had its world premiere at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2017, The Guardian declared, “New opera doesn’t often get to sound this good … Shakespeare offers a gauntlet to composers that shouldn’t always be picked up, but Dean’s Hamlet rises to the challenge.” On June 4, this riveting contemporary masterpiece appears live in cinemas, with Neil Armfield, who directed the work’s premiere, bringing his acclaimed staging to the Met stage. Many of the original cast members have followed, including tenor Allan Clayton in the title role. Nicholas Carter makes his Met debut conducting a remarkable ensemble, which also features soprano Brenda Rae as Ophelia, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius, and legendary bass John Tomlinson as the ghost of Hamlet’s father. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet, even the presence of Allan Clayton struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet worth your time? If you appreciate Music films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 195 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.