Wow! You just took the words right out of my mouth (so to say)! I personally like the dub of this show as well, largely owing to its authentic Shakespeare quotes.
The fact that they put in their own plot of the series wouldn't bother me so much, but you're right about the lazy plotting and character construction. The only really good character in this show, IMO, is Mercutio, and that's because he's the only one who demonstrates any real psychological complexity while the rest just go around happily doing whatever the plot demands they do anyway (and only feel really conflicted if it pertains to Romeo and Juliet's epic love). One thing that bugged me about Montague was that despite the fact that he was a two-dimensional sleazeball through and through the show still seemed to want you to feel sorry for him, while never giving him any genuinely sympathetic qualities whatsoever.
And don't get me started on the sad ending. It was so horrible it came dangerously close to canceling out everything about the show I liked thus far (and making Romeo and Juliet seem Too Good For This Sinful Earth in the bargain).
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Beautiful production can't save a disappointing plot
In terms of production, Romeo x Juliet is a truly stunning anime. The animation is well-done throughout the series with some great character design, and despite not being all that colorful, the backgrounds are gorgeous to look at. But the crowning glory of this series is the amazing music and excellent dubbing. The instrumental score by Hitoshi Sakimoto is excellent and adds so much emotional depth to the scenes, and the song "You Raise Me Up" is just a damn beautiful song despite being a bit cliche.
Sub fans will have my head, but this anime is definitely worth watching in english because of its amazing dubbing. Not only are the voices excellent, but just like in Shakespeare's plays the characters occasionally talk in poetic dialogue that just fits the overall tone of the series. It just adds that extra something to this anime that plain spoken english just can't give.
HOWEVER.
They are not kidding when they say In Name Only. In fact, I'd say you could change all the names and some of the script and completely get away with calling it something totally unrelated. It makes me wonder why they even bothered to try to make a connection in the first place.
You might say it's because there's two lovers who can't be together and they die at the end. But since this version is so much Lighter And Softer, Romeo and Juliet are perfectly capable of having a happy ending if the series stopped a few episodes short. Instead the series introduces a bizarre fantasy element to justify their deaths Just Because The Play Said So. What's the point of straying from the play so much only to suddenly stick to its ending?
Not only that, but the plot is also lightened up to the point that the heroes and villains are almost cartoonishly simplistic. Romeo is so virtuous and good he could be a Purity Sue, while you might as well play Dracula music every time Montague shows up. The conflict between the houses is between one that is angelically good and another that is demonically evil, which really ruins all the potential drama. It's further muddled by some aggravating wallbangers, too-convenient rescues, and lazy coincidences.
Overall, it's damn stunning to look at and listen to, but the weak and simplistic plot can't hold up the epic production. And it's a damn, damn shame.