Jabberwocky
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Movie Reviews of Jabberwocky
Movie Review: Good visual details, flawed story.
Summary: 2 Stars
As a big fan of Michael Palin, I was looking forward to seeing a movie where he was showcased apart from the other Pythons. Unfortunately, the story often drifts away from the main character (Dennis, the oblivious son of a cooper) in order to show us other characters who are one-dimensional and unamusing.
There are a lot of problems with this movie and I'm guessing this is because of Gilliam's lack of seasoning in film making. It seems very much made with an eye toward setting up scenes the way he fancied them rather than building up characters or paying attention to the story or dialogue. He seemed far more enamored with showing off the crumbling castle, dead bodies stripped of flesh, and a variety of filthy-looking sets than setting up characters who interacted with each other in an entertaining way.
While Michael Palin plays Dennis with a certain dumb charm, the character seems unfocussed. Sometimes, he's quite stupid and blind to the most obvious of situations (the way the object of his affection regards him with disinterest) and sometimes he seems to be very astute (on matters of efficiency). He's not stupid enough to elicit sympathy and not smart enough to admire in any small way.
I'm not a writer but I have to believe that comedy works better when not every character is stupid, angry, and/or oblivious. In both Holy Grail and Life of Brian, Graham Chapman's characters were the sane characters at the center of the insanity. These characters were the ones the viewer identified with and who the absurdity of the words and behavior of other characters could be measured by. Jabberwocky has no "straight man" for the other characters to weave their lunacy around.
There are some moments which are amusing but they are a part of what Gilliam seemed to be focussing on - the sets. Ultimately, the characters are unattractive and unfunny. I'm sorry to say that Jabberwocky is very likely to disappoint those who enjoy other Python movies or the T.V. show.
Movie Review: Pale Compared to His Other Work
Summary: 2 Stars
Unfortunately, Michael Palin's work in Jabberwocky does not come across as well as his brilliant work in other pieces (especially his famous Monty Python roles). Granted, this is not intended to mimic Monty Python in any way, but on its own merit it falls flat. The story drags, and the jokes fail to save it. I think the movie itself fell flat, and took Palin with it, which is unfortunate.Movie Review: Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I originally saw this movie many years ago as a teen and had fond memories of it. I wish I had not bothered with a second viewing. I am a huge Python/Gilliam/Palin fan, but this one was just way too slow. The laughs are few and far between and there is too much of the same gags over and over. I really wanted to like it.Movie Review: Should NOT be rated PG!
Summary: 1 Stars
I saw this at a store one time and was intrigued because it shared the name of a classic Lewis Carroll poem, which I have memorized. The Monty Python name worried me (you know how British humor is), but it was rated PG. I asked my mom if we could buy it or buy it when I would be getting my tonsils out. Boy, am I glad we didn't buy it!So we rented it, although I was the only one who watched it- really, half watched it.
The first scene was violent, and all throughout was potty humor and a glimpse or two of a male backside without clothes. Oh, well, I thought.
About halfway through the movie there was one particular scene. It showed the full nude back (from head to ankles) of a woman. She then started to turn around. No, I thought, they wouldn't show nudity in a PG movie. I could see her full nude side. I then put my hands about two feet away from my eyes, blocking the screen, but what I could still see was that she was continuing to turn, which meant that there was full frontal nudity of a woman. It wasn't long before she was dressed again, but I didn't care. I turned it off and didn't even watch the rest.
So you've probably figured by now I'm a prude, but I know I'm not the only one who will be offended so I thought I'd warn you.
Movie Review: Pure Garbage
Summary: 1 Stars
I am a huge fan of all things Python-related, but I can't support this pitiful outing. Terrible story, terrible acting, terrible jokes. I mean, awful. I found nothing even the least bit amusing or engaging about this flick-although admittedly, I turned it off after about 30 or 40 minutes, lest I broke into hives. The only thing I could think was, "what were they thinking?"...it's like they decided to make a movie, but forgot to write a script; or maybe they were high and thought what they were doing was truly inspired, which of course it was not.
This was a very unhappy surprise, given the past and future genius contributions from Gilliam, Jones and Palin. I could be wrong, but I'd be surprised if these chaps wouldn't rather forget that they made this turkey. Worst Python-alumni thing ever.
~Sun House in Berkeley