I’m a nerd for both Shakespeare and Joss Whedon’s writing, so I’ve been super excited for Whedon’s adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, which opens this weekend in New York, LA, and San Francisco. I’m a big fan of the play, which is full of some of Shakespeare’s most hilarious banter. It’s also a fascinating play from a feminist perspective, because the story hinges on an act of slut shaming. Knowing Whedon’s interests, I expected this element of the story to be emphasized. I had the opportunity to see the movie about a month ago at the San Francisco International Film Festival, and I was not disappointed.

Much Ado is above all a blast, capturing the infectious joy that I find ...