This whole year has been the worst and I though 2016 was bad. But at least then, we were able to do what we wanted even though that year was bad due to so many beloved celebrities dying, Brexit being declared, Trump being president (you had four years, just move on I tell ya) and so many other bad things. But if this year has taught me anything, my motto of "Laughter being the best medicine" is now more important than ever. This year, I discovered the Monty Python films and I really enjoyed them. So much so that it just gave me the laughter I needed in such a dreadful year. So for my birthday post this year, I'm reviewing all their films (or at least all the ones currently on Netflix right now). Let's get to it:
And Now For Something Completely Different
So before the first film, the troupe did a TV series called
Monty Python's Flying Circus which was a sketch show series beloved by many people in the UK. The film is basically 90 minutes of sketches with animated sequences many of which came from the show, but recreated for a more cinematic feel without an audience or audience track. Intended originally for an American audience (as they had yet to see the show in a vice verse similar to how
Star Trek: The Original Series was released globally), each is often accompanied by the announcer (played by John Cleese) coming in to deliver the line that is also the title of the film. It didn't do well originally as American audiences were unfamiliar with British humour at the time, but has since gained a cult following after a re-release that was more well received. It may play out like the Jackass films where it has no narrative and is just a bunch of things crammed in together. But its funny, gives people a taste of what they can do and has all the iconic and beloved sketches from the show. Good fun all around. 9/10
The Holy Grail
In the first of their narrative films as well as the one that cemented the troupe in pop culture, it is AD 932 and King Arthur (played by the late Graham Chapman) travels across Britain with his squire (played by Terry Gilliam) to find knights worthy to join his round table. He goes through a series of bizarre but iconic events as he recruits his knights before setting out for Camelot. However, he deems Camelot as "a silly place" and is charged by God (voiced by Chapman) to find the Holy Grail which causes the group to disperse to cover more ground, but set on finding it at all costs. Meanwhile, a modern day journalist is accidentally killed off with a police investigation taking place that could cause this production to cease being made. Its quite clever how they made the film funny and take advantage of the fact that they couldn't afford real horses and even break the fourth wall too. As their first film with a narrative, it's good. Great gags, lots of iconic moments and cleverly made sketches makes this a fine film even if it's not meant to be taken seriously. 9/10
Life of Brian
In a loose parody retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, we meet Brian (played by Chapman) who is born the same day as Christ (played by Kenneth Colley) and seems to be mistaken for him also (possibly due to them being neighbours). Following birth, he pretty much unwillingly takes up the role of Christ and all the events depicted in the Bible, play out a bit differently than before in an attempt for humour, but also possibly controversy too. I will give this film credit for taking a huge risk in making a film about something in the Bible. Its always risky, bound to cause some controversy and people do need to be very careful when making films like this. Having said that, it is a great comedy film. Perhaps the closest to being the greatest ever made which is what critics have been saying, and I agree. I don't take silly films like this as seriously as most because at the end of the day, it's a comedy and should be seen like one. The jokes are good, the acting is funny as always and the closing song pretty much sums up the film in a nutshell. 9/10
Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Normally I don't review live shows, but when I heard that this would actually feature elements not seen in the live show, I decided to give it a watch. Like
And Now for Something Completely Different, it's a bunch of sketches and animation sequences thrown together to please the good people who paid money to see it and it's basically a rinse and repeat of previous sketches, but with some new ones too. My personal favourite bit is when Eric Idle starts ranting away as he is taken off-stage and goes into the audience. Takes guts to do that, but also a lot of breath too and possibly some improv was needed as well. Not really much to say about this, other than its still as funny as ever and even includes sketches that predate their TV show. 9/10
The Meaning of Life
So this film is a hybrid of a narrative and sketches with the narrative being the troupe as fish in a posh restaurant trying to question about the meaning of life. The film is then told in parts with each part being a sketch determined to show each part of life. All this after a short, but bizarre yet funny film about old people manning a pirate ship that looks like a London building as they raid a financial district (which is briefly revisited later on in the film). Another great film that may not be what we would be expecting, but it's got even more laugh out loud moments and for it to be the last film to feature the entire troupe, it's a nice goodbye from them, and they go out in style. Great film. 9/10
It's impossible to truly fault the troupe. Their comedy is gold, and they created some of the best comedy out there and some of the best comedy films to ever be made. They may be getting on and losing members, but they are still funny and probably will remain so for many years to come. Perhaps even longer. 9/10
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