Everyone has a film that they know they should have watched. That they want tpo watch. And yet they haven't watched it. For me, that film has been The Princess Bride. It's a comedic fantasy film that has inspired memes aplenty, and has had a relatively big impact on popular culture. On paper, it's right up my alley. And yet I have gone over a score of years without watching it, hearing the story, or knowing anything about it at all!
Oh, right. Apart from one thing.
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
The meme to meme all memes.
And so, finally, I was inspired to watch it. Mostly because it was either The Princess Bride, or rewatch the third Jonny English film, and... well, that isn't a bad film, but it is just weird.
"You use that word. It does not mean what you think it means."
Sorry, I just remembered another meme from this film.
Moving on...
So. Going into this film, I learn a few things very quickly. The fighting is fantastic. The characters aren't exactly complicated, but the character they have is overexxagerated and immensely entertaining. There are a vast number of clever, funny moments. The twist of the (spoiler) mysterious masked stranger being "As you wish" boy was predictable, but I just can't bring myself to mind.
To me, this film has the feel of one thing, and one thing alone. Monty Python. Maybe with a bit more music swelling in the background, more character development and more of a plot. But veeeeery Monty Python.
I have a question then. Looking at The Princess Bride, without any sun tinted spectacles of nostalgia, how does this stack up as a film?
Well, I laughed through at least 40% of it. Which is pretty good given that quite a lot of the other moments were meant to be heartwarming or tragic. Frankly, I see why this film is such a classic. The characters are charming, attractive. Each has a complete story arc.
I think something that really makes this film special is that every character in it seems very aware that they exist in a fantasy film. Perhaps I should explain what that means. There is a clearly established code of chivalry. It is set up from the beginning among the good guys, and so when the baddies break the code, it's immediately very obvious to the viewer. Every side character has an acceptance that magical things happen regularly. You get the feeling that a swordsman could walk into a pub and start duelling a mountain troll and not get a second glance. For these people, mysterious pirates, princesses and miracles are day to day occurences, and seeing the general population being so blase about it all is hilarious.
And the fighting! The choreography is fun, innovative, entertaining... And interspresed with calm and witty interejctions, comments about the opponents fighting style... (and "My name is Inigo Montoya" totally deserves the memes! brillinat moment.)
So then. I have gushed with compliments for this film. Can I summon any criticism?
Well....
The ending feels a little rushed. Not a lot of time to see the baddies get their comeuppance, not a lot of time to see the goodies taste their rewards. They literally ride off into the sunset, and that's that. The kingdom the story revolves around is left with a senile king, a prince who is... I don't know. I mean they tied him up and left him there, in his own castle. Presumably he's been rescued and is fine. Continuing his torture experiments, picking another pretty girl to force into marriage, planning a new way of starting a war with his neighbouring countries. I mean... not exactly satisfying.
And yet even the lack of ending seems ironic. The whole thing is a parody. I'm not sure what it is parodying, fairy tales, fantasy stories, love stories... but anyway. It was the only part for me where I would say the joke fell flat.
So, do I recommend this film? Um... yes. Wasn't it obvious? That being said, I can see how people wouldn't like it. The humor style is kind of unique, Monty Python is the only thing I can think of as similar. If the sometimes dark comedy they pioneered isn;t your cup of tea, this won't be either. Still, I wish I had seen it earlier, and if you haven't yet, I seriously suggest it. Just not on headphones in an office... or a train... or in public. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at a film.
So, this makes two posts in a single day! No, I have no idea what's happening either! And more coming when I come out with part 2 of "Vampire, Werewolf and Zombie", though that... won't be today. I have a Jonny Enlgish film to rewatch.
(Review of that may be coming, actually. If I can bring myself to criticise Rowan Atkinson...)
Oh, right. Apart from one thing.
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
The meme to meme all memes.
And so, finally, I was inspired to watch it. Mostly because it was either The Princess Bride, or rewatch the third Jonny English film, and... well, that isn't a bad film, but it is just weird.
"You use that word. It does not mean what you think it means."
Sorry, I just remembered another meme from this film.
Moving on...
So. Going into this film, I learn a few things very quickly. The fighting is fantastic. The characters aren't exactly complicated, but the character they have is overexxagerated and immensely entertaining. There are a vast number of clever, funny moments. The twist of the (spoiler) mysterious masked stranger being "As you wish" boy was predictable, but I just can't bring myself to mind.
To me, this film has the feel of one thing, and one thing alone. Monty Python. Maybe with a bit more music swelling in the background, more character development and more of a plot. But veeeeery Monty Python.
I have a question then. Looking at The Princess Bride, without any sun tinted spectacles of nostalgia, how does this stack up as a film?
Well, I laughed through at least 40% of it. Which is pretty good given that quite a lot of the other moments were meant to be heartwarming or tragic. Frankly, I see why this film is such a classic. The characters are charming, attractive. Each has a complete story arc.
I think something that really makes this film special is that every character in it seems very aware that they exist in a fantasy film. Perhaps I should explain what that means. There is a clearly established code of chivalry. It is set up from the beginning among the good guys, and so when the baddies break the code, it's immediately very obvious to the viewer. Every side character has an acceptance that magical things happen regularly. You get the feeling that a swordsman could walk into a pub and start duelling a mountain troll and not get a second glance. For these people, mysterious pirates, princesses and miracles are day to day occurences, and seeing the general population being so blase about it all is hilarious.
And the fighting! The choreography is fun, innovative, entertaining... And interspresed with calm and witty interejctions, comments about the opponents fighting style... (and "My name is Inigo Montoya" totally deserves the memes! brillinat moment.)
So then. I have gushed with compliments for this film. Can I summon any criticism?
Well....
The ending feels a little rushed. Not a lot of time to see the baddies get their comeuppance, not a lot of time to see the goodies taste their rewards. They literally ride off into the sunset, and that's that. The kingdom the story revolves around is left with a senile king, a prince who is... I don't know. I mean they tied him up and left him there, in his own castle. Presumably he's been rescued and is fine. Continuing his torture experiments, picking another pretty girl to force into marriage, planning a new way of starting a war with his neighbouring countries. I mean... not exactly satisfying.
And yet even the lack of ending seems ironic. The whole thing is a parody. I'm not sure what it is parodying, fairy tales, fantasy stories, love stories... but anyway. It was the only part for me where I would say the joke fell flat.
So, do I recommend this film? Um... yes. Wasn't it obvious? That being said, I can see how people wouldn't like it. The humor style is kind of unique, Monty Python is the only thing I can think of as similar. If the sometimes dark comedy they pioneered isn;t your cup of tea, this won't be either. Still, I wish I had seen it earlier, and if you haven't yet, I seriously suggest it. Just not on headphones in an office... or a train... or in public. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at a film.
So, this makes two posts in a single day! No, I have no idea what's happening either! And more coming when I come out with part 2 of "Vampire, Werewolf and Zombie", though that... won't be today. I have a Jonny Enlgish film to rewatch.
(Review of that may be coming, actually. If I can bring myself to criticise Rowan Atkinson...)
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