I enjoyed the movie and am surprised that others do not. The critics seem to come in two camps, the Shakespearian experts who have decided the one right way to do this play (which this movie does not meet), and those entirely unfamiliar with the play who complain about the confusing plot (even though it's straight from the play).
I was nervous about the casting going in, thinking that many of the "names" were just there to draw the crowds. But Calista Flockhart is wonderfully ditzy and put-upon as Helena, Kevin Kline is a remarkably three-dimensional and tragicomic Bottom, and Stan Tucci is positively brilliant as Puck. If nothing else, I just found the facial expressions and reactions to be a delight. Certainly not a great film, but an enjoyable one.
I was nervous about the casting going in, thinking that many of the "names" were just there to draw the crowds. But Calista Flockhart is wonderfully ditzy and put-upon as Helena, Kevin Kline is a remarkably three-dimensional and tragicomic Bottom, and Stan Tucci is positively brilliant as Puck. If nothing else, I just found the facial expressions and reactions to be a delight. Certainly not a great film, but an enjoyable one.