Lost Reviews #5

Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks

--I actually remember a lot of what happened in this film and having read this review over, I feel that its very accurate, with the exception of the fact that it only received an average star rating.--

There is a point in this film when a ridiculously funny movie becomes just plain ridiculous. It was a shame to see where this film ended up only because the story was good enough to support the humorous lines and comedic plot. Bart (Cleavon Little) is a black man sent in to be sheriff of a town only so all the townspeople will leave. The plan is unsuccessful when Bart uses his wits and the help of Jim, The Wako Kid (Gene Widler) to win over the townspeople and defeat the conspiring rich men. This is Monty Python type of humor, no one is afraid to say something to the camera and make jokes that are only funny on that ridiculous level. The film took that just one step too far and actually left the setting of the movie and had the conclusion of the film take place in Hollywood. A big mistake as far as I am concerned. It wasn’t funny, nor was is clever. It took a funny film and made it one that just isn’t as good as it could have been.
**1/2
05/31/05