Jabberwocky
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Movie Reviews of Jabberwocky
Movie Review: A brilliant and often-overlooked dark comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
Jabberwocky is a terrific film in every way: funny, smart, visually involving, and wonderfully acted and directed. It's also gruesome, effortlessly combining subtle social commentary with farce. This first film of Terry Gilliam is often mistaken for a Monty Python film because Michael Palin stars (and possibly also because of the surface similarity to Monty Python and the Holy Grail), but the humor comes from entirely different and more complex sources than anything Python.
The movie is unrelentingly ugly and often horrifying, full of blood and filth that make you laugh and groan at the same time. This reversal of the whole knight-in-shining-armor myth accounts for a lot of the negative reactions people have to the film, as they expect another medieval fairy tale. I, on the other hand, find Gilliam's treatment of the theme deliciously and viciously funny. In reality, jousting is a nasty blood sport, not something fun like you see at a modern-day Renaissance Fair. A castle is a cold, damp, nasty place to live. People who don't bathe often tend to be dirty and unwell. These graphic realities, made VERY graphic in the film but set against the traditional story of an earnest young man on a quest, give the whole film a rare and wonderful depth of humor. Palin's performance as the amiably squirmy (and totally clueless) Dennis is particularly superb.
The film is also a wonderful exploration of self-delusion. Dennis never realizes how disliked he is, particularly by his beloved Grizelda Fishfinger (whose discarded, half-eaten potato he cherishes as a love token). The Fishfinger family reject Dennis to tempt a knight into marrying Grizelda, despite her total lack of physical or social charms. The king and his court ignore the plaster crumbling down around their heads as they meet on official business. The princess sighs dreamily at the thought of being married to a heroic knight at the same moment that she's doused with blood and gore from the joust. A beggar is cheerful at his prospects because he just had the "marvelous idea" of cutting off one of his feet to increase revenue. (Note:Gilliam based this beggar character on an image in a Hieronymous Bosch painting.)
And the Jabberwocky itself - a symbol, a figment, a real monster? It's clearly not anything from Wonderland. It's all the better that Dennis, having (accidentally) slain the Jabberwocky and won riches and the princess, still can't get anything he wants, or even speak and be heard. This definitely isn't Camelot!
With the recent release of Gilliam's atrocious "Brothers Grimm", now is the perfect time for disappointed fans to check this film out again. It shows Gilliam developing his distinctive style that would later peak in such films as "Brazil" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". This is definitely a rich, intelligent film worth owning on dvd to see multiple times.
(Trivia: Look for the always-delightful Neil Innes in this film. Innes is best known for his involvement with Monty Python and for his lead in The Rutles, and also has a long musical history with such bands as The Bonzo Dog Band and GRIMMS.)
Movie Review: Great fun and with Hidden Depths too
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're not a Brit (or an anglophile) and not, say, in your 40s or older, you may actually miss much of the comedy in this movie.Most people outside the UK are aware of the connection with Monty Python, but few, I'll bet, are aware that many of the actors appearing in this excellent movie are in fact UK TV and film celebrities in their own right and some are classical thespians.
Check out each of the participating actors in the IMDB and you may begin to appreciate the hidden depths of this movie - there are layers within layers.
Accomplished actors from such cult series as Steptoe and Son, The Likely Lads, 'Allo, 'Allo, Dad's Army and even the Carry On films pepper this wonderfully atmospheric example of Terry Gilliam's art.
This movie also showcases Max Wall (the King), who had enjoyed a long career as a music hall comedy act before turning to acting in his twilight years - where he proved that he was an excellent actor to boot.
Even some of the very minor roles feature pretty heavy duty Shakespearean actors, and the professionalism of the entire cast really shines through.
Michael Palin is, in my opinion, probably the most talented of the highly talented Python crew and he has demonstrated that incredible ability time and time again (examine his various characters in Life of Brian and you'll see what I mean).
All in all, an extremely enjoyable hoot - and not just for Friday/Saturday night either!
If you like your films to have substance (i.e. lots of fascinating behind the scenes material to discover) then Jabberwocky has it in abundance and will repay deeper examination - although you'll probably have to use the IMDB and other resources on the Internet to get the fuller picture.
Movie Review: Absolutely my favourite film!
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on Lewis Carrol's 'The Jabberwock', Terry Gilliam unleashes the full force of his creative talents in this brilliant film.We follow the adventures of Dennis Cooper, besotted with love for the gruesome Griselda Fishfinger, as he is disowned by his dying father and goes off to seek his fortune in the city. The city is however besieged by the eponymous monster, so the king (played to wonderful effect by Max Wall) arranges a tourney to select the best knight to kill the beast. Of course, Dennis is carried along and wins the day.
Doresn't sound much of a story, does it? - but the intricately detailed sets, the wonderful staged humour and brilliant direction make this a cut and a half above anything else in the genre. It knocks the Monty Python films into a cocked hat - and they are GOOD! Not for nothing did this film win the best comedy at Montreux. Particularly good performances from Max Wall, John leMesurier, Harry H Corbett and of course, Michael Palin, who just IS Dennis.
I don't understand how a great film like this has been allowed to fall out of circulation. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.
Movie Review: It will make you chortle with joy
Summary: 5 Stars
There has been a resurgence in toilet humor these days, what with Cameron Diaz getting spoo in her hair in "There's Something About Mary" and David Spade getting covered in poo in "Joe Dirt, " David Arquette rolling around in dog crap in "See Spot Run" and of course, Tom Green.But NO ONE does bathroom humor like this movie. Scatology and other base functions have never been so funny. And on top of that the dialogue and characters are very funny as well, my favorite being the ruler of the land, King Bruno the Questionable (son of Olaf the Loud).
It also can be a very beautiful film, with Gilliam admitting in the commentary that he borrowed imagery not only from Tenniel but Bruegel and Bosch as well. And let's not forget Lewis Carrol who inspired this whole thing.
"Jabberwocky" has been called the darker B-side to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," a moniker which I believe suits the film well. By the way, a chortle is described by Carrol as a cross between a chuckle and a snort.
Movie Review: RUSH HOUR!
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, the setting that Terry and his crew make allows you to feel the fifth, the dirt, and the unwashed crowds that make up a medieval city. Maybe not enough pigs and rats, but that's just me. Michael Palin, as a modern man out of time, a business man trapped in a past where his ideas are strange and unwelcome, is perfect. The story is a simple fairy tale with one flaw. Michael Palin does not WANT half the Kingdom. He does not WANT to marry the Princess. He just wants a simple life, counting his inventory and being married to Griselda. A rotting potato will never mean the same thing to you again.
Extras include a great commentary by Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, a trailer, sketch-to-screen comparisons and much, much more.