William Shakespeare's Macbeth, one of the playwright's most popular tales, has been brought to the screen for a new generation by up-and-coming director Justin Kurzel. And does Kurzel's interpretation do the tale justice? Well, mostly.

The story follows Macbeth (Steve Jobs star Michael Fassbender), a servant to King Duncan of Scotland during wartime. After returning from battle, Macbeth and his friend Banquo encounter a trio of witches who speak of an enticing prophecy: that Macbeth, as well as Banquo's children, will one day rule Scotland.

Spurred by greed and a lust for power, Macbeth's conniving wife, Lady Macbeth (Two Days, One Night's Marion Cotillard) convinces her husband to do the unthinkable: murder Duncan in his sleep and forcefully succeed the throne. After becoming king, Macbeth's corruption quickly transforms him into a monster that even Lady Macbeth comes to fear.

Though I'm a fan of Shakespeare, my most anticipated feature for this film was the casting. Fassbender and Cotillard are two of my favorite actors working today, and unfortunately, the acting was the only area that fell short. A part of this effect comes from the screenwriters' decision to commit fully to Shakespeare's original dialogue. While this is certainly an ambitious feat and should be acknowledged, it also takes a toll on the acting. Most of the delivery feels as though the script was memorized and then repeated exactly as it appeared on paper, with little room for emotion. Occasionally, a character would break the monotone by shouting their lines, as though to emphasize the emotional importance, but the result feels rather forced. Not all Shakespeare films are like this, so it's disappointing to see this effect on such talented actors.

Fortunately, my complaints for the film end there. In terms of visual style, Macbeth is an absolute triumph, boasting costume designs and scenery that evoke the time period excellently. The majority of the film was shot on location throughout the Isles of Scotland, and every image, from the shots of gorgeous landscapes to Macbeth's vast castle, looks as crisp and authentic as it gets. The music is also well-composed, matching the plot's dramatic tension and, when paired with the visuals, wraps you up and takes you into the film's world.

In all honesty, Macbeth is a really good movie - it's just not as good as I had hoped. If you're a Shakespeare fan, you'll probably appreciate the use of Shakespearean language, it just didn't do it for me. Fortunately, the commitment to dialogue and faithful story retelling show Kurzel's dedication to the material, and the film's technical excellence is strong enough to eclipse its flaws. I'm giving Macbeth three stars out of four.