The Great Gatsby!!!!

The Great Gatsby.

From what we've seen in the past we know that any Baz Luhrman directed film will have alot of amazing visuals and be something to really sit back and enjoy. Past films like Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Australia and Strictly Ballroom all brought the glitz and visuals to the big screen, kind of apt that he was to next tackle a film set in the roaring twentys and what better story then The Great Gatsby. 

Set in the 1920's it sees a young war veteran Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) decide to live the high life in New York and move into a small house next door to a big mansion. As the mansion holds extravagant parties every week Nick is invited by a man called Jay Gatsby (Leonardo Di Caprio) to the party and soon enough meets the infamous Gatsby. As Nick becomes close friends with Mr Gatsby he starts to question his life and starts to work out what he has done to gain all his fortune and also his intentions. 

As Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and her husband Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton) live the high life they soon enough are introduced to Mr Gatsby by Daisy's cousin Nick. As Nick learns about Tom's other life and how he lives an alternate extravagant lifestyle away from his wife Nick questions his morals and loyalty to his cousin. As Nick sets up a meeting between Daisy and Gatsby we find out how they know each other the plan for both their futures is put into motion and then soon enough everything spirals out of control. 

With the bright lights and crazy out of control party's that take place you can see the amount of time that has been spent on the overall imagery of the film. But the storyline itself is something to be desired as it goes along at a steady pace then picks up and then just seems to float in the middle and finishes rather abruptly. 

Di Caprio as Gatsby was a great choice as he shows off a more emotional led character and is able to portray a vulnerable, lost and alone type of character. Mulligan as Daisy is good but she's not overly great as she doesn't portray the innocent and impressionable Daisy with conviction she just doesn't quite nail the character down. The supporting cast of other friends and family members on screen add to the film and try to bring out the best emotional responses and are a nice addition.

Unfortunately it has to be said it's more style over substance, the visuals are spectacular and showcase some of the best imagery of the roaring 20's. The music in the film be it up to date with some added Jay-Z really fits in well and really is one of the big great aspects of the film. For any Baz Luhrman fans they'll absolutely love the film as it has everything from his past films but for other people it may just be an enjoyable film and nothing more.

7/10.