Rat Race

Rat Race is an example of a very purile, silly comedy film. And yet I find it absolutely brilliant. It’s a film about a group of people who are told that there is $2 million sitting in a bag in New Mexico and the first person to reach the locker from Las Vegas will keep it all. Naturally, hilarious scenarios unfold on screen which will be guaranteed to make you laugh at least once.

With a cast that many people will recognise, Rat Race is a very good example of how enjoyable a comedy film can be. Starring Rowan Atkinson, Breckin Meyer, Whoopi Goldberg, Seth Green, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Lovitz and John Cleese, Rat Race has a cast that many people will be able to enjoy. The scenarios that the actors get involved with are so unpredictable that you just don’t see them coming. From Cuba Gooding Jr. trying to take a taxi to New Mexico and ending up driving full of Lucille Ball  enthusiasts, to Jon Lovitz gatecrashing a Veterans meeting in Hitler’s car and Whoopi Goldberg breaking the land-speed record with her estranged daughter, there is so much unpredictability that the comedy flows brilliantly.

The nature of the film is such that each character’s fate is presented in an order, so you are shown what is happening to each character one after the other. Because there are so many characters, by the time you see each one again you realise that it has been a while since you last saw them, and almost laugh at the introduction of them again. Rat Race manages to deal with the problems around this very well though. You never feel like there are too many characters, and (although there probably are too many characters), the way the film brings them all in is perfect.

Rowan Atkinson, who I feel is one of the greatest British comedic actors ever, is absolutely side-splitting here, and despite having seen the film countless times I always find myself laughing the most at his parts. What makes it even better is his comedy Italian accent. He has obviously exaggerated it for comedic effect, and it does come across as very funny. Also, there are so many of Rowan Atkinson’s lines that are repeatable that the film will leave a couple of quotes in your memory bank.

All the other actors are pretty funny too, especially Jon Lovitz, but I found Seth Green and Vince Vieluf to be fairly annoying. I’m not the biggest fan of Seth Green as an actor and have never seen Vieluf in anything before or after this. Their storyline is fairly amusing, but Green’s character is inherently selfish throughout the film (right up until the end) and this makes me go off him a bit and feel that maybe he deserves his nightmare journey to New Mexico.

The whole film has a bit of a ‘well you just couldn’t make that up’ atmosphere to it, and this is why it is so funny. The scenarios that happen seem perfectly plausible on screen but when you step back and think about it they are utterly ridiculous. Obviously in a comedy film, plausible ridiculousness is what is aimed for, and Rat race achieves this very well. I cannot work out though whether I am biased towards Rat Race because of how much I enjoyed it the first time I watched it.

If I had one criticism of the film then it would be that some of the actors do not actually play a character wholly different from most of the characters they otherwise play. Breckin Meyer plays the nice guy who never takes a risk, Seth Green plays the moody teenager-esque bloke, John Cleese is the eccentric hotel owner (now which hugely successful British sitcom does that remind you of?) and Rowan Atkinson, although funny, is funny in the same way he normally is. In terms of the cast, it is impressive but not astounding.

However, despite this I am fairly confident that Rat Race will have you laughing at least once. If you are not made of stone then you should find yourself giggling along to the hilarious scenes unfolding in front of you. I rate Rat Race very highly and thoroughly recommend that you give it a watch. 

The World's End

The World’s End is the third film in Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s ‘ice cream and blood’ series. There has been an awful lot of expectation for this film, largely because Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz were both so successful. I was looking forward to seeing it and yet when I came out of the cinema I felt a little bit disappointed. It wasn't as good as Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, and I didn't seem to enjoy it as much.

If you haven’t seen the trailer, The World’s End is about five friends who, one night in their teen years, attempted a pub crawl known as the golden mile. Years later they return to Newton Haven to complete the golden mile, but things are not quite as they seem. Everything seems to be the same, and yet completely different. They soon discover that the villagers have been taken and replaced by ‘robots’. The five guys try to complete the golden mile without arousing suspicion, but they soon come across an alien network intending to ‘civilise’ humankind for the benefit of the universe.

Now I did enjoy the film, but not as much as they other two. It was a funny film which made me laugh out loud several times, and this was genuine laughter too. The comedy was original in that it wasn’t entirely recycled from the previous films. I thought that this was important because otherwise The World’s End would just be an extension of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. However, it followed a very different template. I hope this makes sense, but Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz both seem to have a prescribed pattern where certain jokes are repeated for comedic effect. The World’s End doesn’t feel like a film of the same mould. However, this isn’t a bad thing as it makes it much more unique. The laughs aren’t manufactured either and feel perfectly natural in the context of the film

I particularly liked the message behind the film. Edgar Wright is quoted as saying that he wanted to focus on the “Wetherspooning” effect with the “strange homogenous branding that becomes like a virus” (http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2013-07/17/edgar-wright-interview-the-worlds-end). Much like all of the pubs seen in the film are essentially the same, the humans are being slowly replaced with a branded identical copy of each other.

Simon Pegg is spectacular in this film, which seems to go unnoticed because his character is really dislikable. His mannerisms and commitment to his character is perfect. Nick Frost is also, and unsurprisingly, brilliantly funny as the teetotal Andy. I thought The World’s End was particularly entertaining in that Pegg and Frost seem to have swapped roles somewhat. Whereas Frost was the silly one and Pegg was the more serious one, in The World’s End Frost plays the serious character who is unwilling to get involved with childish scenarios. This reversal of their chemistry works perfectly throughout the film, which is as much a credit to each actor’s skill as it is to the scriptwriting.

The supporting cast is equally fantastic and complete the ‘friendship’ theme which has characterised all three of the ‘ice cream and blood’ films. Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine all work perfectly in their roles, and none of them ever feel like they’re playing second fiddle to Frost and Pegg. Each of them is there as their own character and are an equal part of the cast. Rosamund Pike is also very amusing as Sam Chamberlain, and the scenes with her in are particularly amusing. There are a number of cameo appearances which are also very entertaining, such as Mark Heap, whose manner is a source of laughter in every role he plays.

Overall I think The World’s End is a very good film. It will suffer a little bit though from being part of the same series as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I didn't find it as entertaining as the other two, but still entertaining. I enjoyed watching it and genuinely laughed a few times. The plot was particularly interesting and felt relatively fresh and while some parts felt a little bit forced and manufactured, it was an entertaining and enjoyable watch. It’s not a bad film and if you enjoy comedies then you will like The World’s End. Complete with a message about trying to relive the past, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright have produced a fitting finale for the ‘ice cream and blood’ trilogy. 

You may also like:

Other films by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg:

Shaun of the Dead - http://mattsthoughtsonmovies.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/shaun-of-dead.html

Hot Fuzz - http://mattsthoughtsonmovies.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/hot-fuzz.html

Other films starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost:

Paul - http://mattsthoughtsonmovies.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/paul.html

Knocked Up

Knocked Up is a classic example of a comedy film. Seth Rogen plays a man (Ben) who doesn't have a job, hangs out with his friends and leads a generally very childish life. Katherine Heigl plays a successful career driven woman (Alison) who has just been promoted to an on-screen role at the television station she works for. One night the two meet in a club and he gets her pregnant, and the rest of the film follows the impact this has on both their lives, with undoubtedly comedic consequences.

Before dealing with the comedy side of it, I’d like to say that I think Knocked Up has a lovely story as well as being amusing. The change that Seth Rogen’s character undergoes during the pregnancy is very nice to watch. He goes from cruising through life to taking some serious responsibilities and changes from being a potentially terrible father to a man who will make a fantastic dad. However, his character is absolutely hilarious as well. Regardless of whether he is hanging out with his mates or if he is in the presence of Alison’s sister and her family there is always something funny happening. Seth Rogen doesn't exactly excel in this role, but then again, it is a difficult role to excel in. As in nearly every other film he is in, he plays his role with immense comedy, and there is no doubt that he is a very funny man.

Katherine Heigl also does very well, and I particularly enjoyed the scene where she flips out at Seth Rogen and orders him to get out of the car. The argument that follows is very funny and she manages to portray the different aspects of pregnancy very well. I don’t know if she has had children (a quick bit of research tells me that she has two, but gave birth to neither of them), but she is very believable in the role that she plays. The best thing about this film, aside from the comedy, is that Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl have fantastic on screen chemistry. Even when they are completely at the throats of each other, they are fantastic to watch together. Katherine Heigl is the one ‘sore thumb’ in the cast, by which I mean that she hasn't appeared in a number of other films featuring the cast and hasn't been in other Judd Apatow films. This isn't a criticism though, because she is very amusing throughout, and stands as the polar opposite to Seth Rogen, which works very well.

Many Judd Apatow films see a fair few actors and actresses who pop up in various roles, and Knocked Up is no exception. The notable appearances are Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, and Jonah Hill. Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow’s real life wife) plays Alison’s older sister, and is absolutely brilliant. Her delivery is perfect and the character she plays is fantastically written. She is changeable and works wonderfully with Paul Rudd, who plays her husband. Their marriage and its difficulties are a continual source of (slightly dark) humour. Whoever thought up the idea of the scene where she thinks he is having an affair, follows him and discovers that he is really in a fantasy baseball draft deserves a medal because this scene had me in stitches.

In addition to these two are Jason Segel and Jonah Hill who play two of Ben’s friends. Together the guys are building a website called ‘Flesh of the Stars’ which provides much amusement throughout the film. However, it is how natural the relationship between the guys seems that is most satisfying to watch. I think Jason Segel is one of the best comedic actors of today (and that may just be a personal preference) but he is absolutely wonderful in Knocked Up. His knowledge of a number of areas is particularly amusing, especially at the end when he says that ‘gynaecology is just a hobby of mine’ and proceeds to explain what is happening in the delivery room. Jonah Hill has a very ‘bland’ character in this film, but he makes it work so very well. He is socially awkward around anyone except the other guys he lives with and this provides some very funny moments when other people turn up, such as when Alison is round and he is left alone with her.

The main redeeming feature of Knocked Up is that it has a number of other storylines which make the film continually funny rather than just following the pregnancy story. There is the long-running issue of Martin’s hair, the issue of Seth Rogen’s marijuana habit, the pranks that the guys play on each other, and the involvement of Ben’s dad. All of these scenes add up to produce a very funny film, and Judd Apatow’s ability to write a funny film which keeps you laughing almost to the end is second to none.

Knocked Up will never be considered as one of the greatest films, but it is easily one of the best comedy films I have seen. There are many laugh out loud moments, and several occasions where you find yourself engaged with the characters and concerned about what will happen in the story. It is a film best to watch with friends, but unless you have no sense of humour, you will definitely laugh at some point during the film. Not one to miss in my opinion.

Blades of Glory

In my opinion Will Ferrell is a fantastic comedic actor. He delivers his lines with perfect comic timing and delightful emotion. While he is generally the same in most movies, he still makes me laugh every time, and Blades of Glory is no exception.

The plot revolves around figure skating, which immediately sets the stage for the comedy. There are two figure skaters, argued to be the best in the world, one really masculine (Will Ferrell) and the other quite feminine (Jon Heder). At the Winter Sport Games they both share top spot, but this causes a fight and they are both banned from figure skating for life. A loophole results in them being allowed to engage in paired skating though, and so they are paired together. This too sets the stage for many funny moments.

The antagonists in this film are the brother and sister skaters who dominated paired skating and conspire against their compatriots to ensure they remain victorious. The climax of this plotline is Will Ferrell and the male half of this duo chasing each other through the venue in their ice skates. Naturally, both Will Ferrell and Jon Heder’s characters manage to get over their disdain and dislike for each other and win the gold medal that they both desperately crave. It’s not the kind of comedy that you have to engage with to understand, and you can definitely dip in and out of it.

As I say, Will Ferrell is brilliant. I am yet to find a film with him in a lead role in which I do not find him immensely funny. Blades of Glory is no exception, and in his role as the more masculine half of the duo he shines. For me he was the stand out actor in this film. He even manages to play a sex addict convincingly without poking insensitive fun at this condition. As expected, he is fully believable in the role he plays: impressive when you consider that he has also played a news anchor, a regressive adult, and an elf, just to name a few. If nothing else, Will Ferrell is the reason to watch this film.

Nevertheless, he is not alone in this film and Jon Heder also shines as Jimmy, the more feminine half of the duo. Throughout much of the film the audience finds itself feeling sorry for Jimmy. Either because he is the better skater, or because he is hopelessly in love, or because that romance doesn’t go as planned, or even because he is chained to a toilet and has to eat toilet paper in order to free himself. Jon Heder manages to make this victim element very convincing and improves the whole dynamic of the relationship between his and Will Ferrell’s characters.

The three van Waldenberg siblings are also a source of hilarity. The obvious sexual tension between Stranz and Fairchild climaxes in an incestuous kiss, which left me slightly stunned. Also, they are both thoroughly dislikable, directly contrasting with the lovely Katie, Jimmy’s love interest. She is the typical little girl who is under family rule until love makes her break out. However, this too is quite funny, and her seduction of Will Ferrell is very funny.

Overall, Blades of Glory is quite good. It’s not the funniest film I’ve ever seen, but it’s not the most ridiculous comedy in the world. It’s an easy going film which deals with a potentially funny sport, and delivers comedy with wonderful ease.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

This film had a lot of promise to it. When it was initially released, the trailer made me want to go and check it out, but such is the way of things I never got the chance. I had to wait until I stumbled across the DVD in a charity shop for £2 that I decided I should give it a watch. At face value it looks like it's a good film. The title suggests that it will be quite funny, and the cast suggests that it should be quite impressive. It's not.

I was really disappointed by the film. I can't work out whether it's trying to tell the story of psychic research in World War II seriously or whether it is ridiculing the idea behind it. Either way it doesn't do it very well. If it's trying to seriously tell the story then it comes across as a ridiculous idea, and the characters are dismissed as nothing more than 'hippie soldiers' who only very rarely do anything psychically impressive. However, if they are trying to make light of the research then they don't do this well enough.

Some of the names associated with this film also convey the idea that it should be a very successful film. Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are all fantastic actors, but when they are put together I didn't think that they worked well. Jeff Bridges does quite well at playing the leader of the New Earth Army, but still comes across as a bit of a lunatic rather than the pioneer of a whole field of military research. Whether the audience is meant to see him as he was perceived at the time seems a little bit irrelevant because there is not instance of him 'coming good' with his psychic powers.

Kevin Spacey has always had my admiration as an actor. American Beauty and Se7en are examples of his fantastic acting, but in this film he just seemed a bit stale. His is brilliant at 'acting deadpan', and he does well at playing the 'bad guy' of the film, but he doesn't work for me. The links between his character and George Clooney's character are portrayed well, but it doesn't seem that jealousy would be part of the personality of a member of this type of army.

Credit where credit is due, George Clooney does well in this film, and is quite refreshing as a comic actor. His timing and tone is very amusing at times, and he works well with Ewan McGregor in the early stages of the film, but his character seems to tail off towards the end of the film, and I think this is a bit of a shame. I also enjoyed seeing Ewan McGregor in this film, but his character was very boring. His motivation to go to Iraq was to prove to his wife that he was a man. This seems a bit extreme, because upon finding out that my wife was cheating of my with my boss I don't think I would prove my masculinity to her in an attempt to win her back.

Another source of disappointment with this film was the scriptwriting. There were some genuinely funny moments, but on the whole, The Men Who Stare at Goats was just not as funny as I thought it would be. I think this might just be another example of a very successful book that was made into a film, but wasn't made very well. And this is a shame, because it had the potential to be a hilarious, yet interesting film about the use of psychic research during the War.

Four Lions

*May contain spoilers*

Four Lions is one of those films that you can't take too seriously. It's about a group of Muslim men who develop a suicide bomber plan. It has the potential to be really offensive and is at times quite risque, but if you're in the right mood, it's hilarious.

The focus of the story is the plot to make and detonate a bomb. However, the comedy aspect is added in the situations that the characters find themselves in. From firing a rocket launcher the wrong way in an attempt to take down a plane and instead killing your fellow Jihadists, to punching yourself in the face, to telling your best mate that you'd kill him, Four Lions is one laugh after another. The highlight of the film for me comes when one of the characters, Faisal, is running across a field with the explosives that they have acquired, and he is being cheered on by the other. However, he trips and falls, and then the explosives blow up. the moment of shock that the characters experience is shared by the audience in the typical "Did that really just happen moment", and then you start laughing.

The character Barry is fantastic. He is a white convert and is frequently ridiculed by the others for one reason or another. However, he is the most vocal of them all, and recruits a member to their cause. The scene that revolves around his idea of bombing the mosque is very amusing, and his death is fantastically funny. Barry's relationship with Omar seems to be a bit of a power struggle, with Omar winning because of his training camp experience and his ability to communicate in Urdu.

I don't want to spoil too much of the plot for those who haven't seen it, but every scene involving Waj brings a smile to my face. Him running away from the police dressed as an Ostrich, him taking a photo of himself on his phone to see if he is confused or not, and the 'rubber dinghy rapids' scene are very amusing. Similarly, the scene where the guys walk in on Hassan and their neighbour dancing to 'Dancing in the Moonlight', surrounded by all their bomb equipment is fantastic, and their explanation of why the neighbour has to leave is brilliantly uncomfortable. Omar using the analogy of the Lion King to explain his jihad to his son is another highlight which has me in stitches.

Despite the humour element to it, Four Lions is a very controversial film. It is a very touchy subject in this day and age, but it doesn't make a mockery of Islam at all. Instead the focus is on the "Dad's Army side to terrorism" (Chris Morris, Director; source: Wikipedia). When I first heard about Four Lions and heard what it was about, I thought that it was incredibly risky, and that there would be a massive backlash to it, but after I watched it I thought that anyone who gets too offended by it is probably taking themselves too seriously, and, at the end of the day, if you know a film is going to offend you, don't watch it.

The director and scriptwriters find the perfect balance between accuracy of content (e.g. training camps, how to make a bomb etc) and hilarious incidents that the film is 'just right'. The comedic element to it isn't completely mundane and silly either. The humour, while at times quite dark, is well beyond slapstick foolery. It doesn't hit you in the face with laughs, and instead is quite a smart humour. The quality of acting also adds to this film, and instead of boring characters with no soul, the actors manage to display different dimensions in their characters and definitely make the film what it is.

Four Lions is definitely worth a watch, because at some point during it you will be in stitches. I can promise you that. If you're not beside yourself with laughter then you are taking yourself too seriously, because this insanely quotable film is quite simply a bit of hilarious fun.