The tagline goes "before Romeo & Juliet there was..." -- this is where you put in the title Tristan & Isolde. Maybe director Kevin Reynolds should have mentioned in the tagline that the movie was not just a romantic epic, but also a movie that guys could get into.

Think star-crossed lovers in the background of two feuding countries. This concept sounds a lot better than just two feuding families, and a lot more believable.

The movie takes place around the seventh century after the Romans have withdrawn from England, leaving the country in disarray. Tristan (James Franco), who is adopted as a young child and raised by Lord Marke, a powerful English ruler, attempts to lead Marke's troops to overturn King Donnchadh of the Celts' army in Ireland. Unfortunately for our star, he is poisoned and falls into a death-like coma.

The British don't believe in burial so they put Tristan's body on a boat and set him out to sea. Days later, his body washes upon shores where the beautiful Isolde (Sophia Myles), daughter of Donnchadh, finds him alive.

This is where the movie separates from its Shakespearean counterpart; Isolde and Tristan fall in love in a mature, adult way. The power struggle between Isolde's family and Tristan is much more believable -- the acting helps to prove the point. Franco gives Tristan mature depth that shows he and his character understand the tragic outcome of his love for Isolde.

The realistic maturity that both Franco and Myles bring to the screen proves to be successful as they help detract from the classic love theme of star-crossed lovers. These two bring attention to the notion that sometimes with love, there come consequences.

And with Tristan & Isolde, there is a new tragic love movie that tramps over Romeo & Juliet.

-- Reviewed by Erika Jarvis