This year’s take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing plays like a Joss Whedon’s Greatest Hits album.

Whedon is known for a number of things: witty dialogue, strong female characters, large casts, and choosing amazing actors.  All of that is on display in this movie that brings together people from Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Avengers.  The movie is set in one location: the house designed by Whedon’s wife.  The music is by Whedon and friends (with lyrics by Shakespeare).  The film is shot in black and white.  It does so many things so well.  But here are my top three things:

1.  Amy Acker is brilliant.  She was good in Angel and creepy in Dollhouse.  She shines brightly here.  Her facial expressions, her body language, her voice.  She is amazingly intense, and it’s great to see her use her whole range here.

2.  Alexis Denisof is hilarious.  He is Acker’s perfect foil.  His monologues are spot-on.  His physical humor is over-the-top wonderful.  After last seeing him in a faceless part in The Avengers and as a creepy character on How I Met Your Mother, it’s good seeing him here pulling out every stop in his performance.

3.  Fran Kranz really comes into his own.  I think he’s the unsung hero of Dollhouse.  And while he brought the funny in Cabin in the Woods, it’s better seeing him take on a full range like Acker and Denisof.  There’s a manic bent to his humor that keeps him unique in an amazing cast.

If you get a chance, see this movie.  It’s a nice change from summer’s blockbuster-of-the-week trend.  You’ll probably recognize a few faces (Nathan Fillion, when he finally shows up, plays his part perfectly.)  I think you’ll find it a couple of hours in the theater well-spent.  (And after a while you’ll totally forget you’re watching a black and white movie in Shakespeare’s English.)  Highly recommended.