Julie Taymor’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was recently featured as the centerpiece at the 48th annual New York Film Festival. Despite this honor, the film — which stars Helen Mirren in the masculine role of sorcerer Prospero — the film left mutterings of dissent in its wake. The trailer does little to dispel gripes that Taymor’s vision is kitschy, over-reliant on CGI, and hampered by the fact that Russell Brand is really, really annoying. Having been in attendance at the NYFF screening, I can attest that, while The Tempest has its faults, it is also a visual delight and a unique diversion from the usual cinematic treatment Shakespeare plays usually get. At the very least, I highly doubt any other movie this year will feature a transparent, asexual sprite, or at least not one with a head of hair so fantastic.