One of the last plays by Shakespeare is by far his best. What makes it great is what it has in common with the Epistles of Paul: It speaks to the future, not to its moment of appearance. Directed by Julie Taymor (much of her fame rests on the stage adaptation of the movie The Lion King), and starring Helen Mirren as Prospero (inspired casting) and Djimon Hounsou as Caliban (smart casting), the film overwhelms us with beautiful music, people, scenery (it was filmed on a Hawaiian island), and language. Taymor does not update a thing—and why would she? The play already speaks to our dazzling and complicated age of international trade, postcolonial resentment, and mass entertainment. (See Movie Times: thestranger.com/film)