On a short break from shooting “The Avengers,” director Joss Whedon brought together some of his famous friends in his home in Santa Monica for a 12-day stint to shoot a slick black-and-white adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s enduring classics. The result of their efforts is a sexy and stylish modern take on the Bard’s comedy, which keeps the original text and moves the story of quarreling lovers Beatrice and Benedick to contemporary southern California, as the comedy unfolds around a series of misconceptions and misdirections. Whedon proves his directorial skill and penchant for filming quick-witted dialog, keeping the film light and lively throughout while still packing an emotional punch in one of the best Shakespeare adaptations of the last decade.