The Tempest

Furious retelling of Shakepeare's final play, with the lead character no longer a Duke named Prospero, but a woman accused of witchcraft named Prospera (Mirren). Usurped by her brother Caliban (Hounsou) for dabbling in alchemy, Prospera, along with her daughter Miranda, find themselves shipwrecked on a mysterious island filled with strange creatures, anarchy, and dark magic. Even while exiled, Prospera must engage in a power struggle with her relentless brother, while coping with life as a single mom. The experienced cast, especially Mirren, is at top form, but the performances are overshadowed by loud, frantic storytelling. Unfortunately writer/director Taymor trumps the original's poetry and symbolism with too many thunderous special effects and exploding animals.