I have seen five or six A&C movies before this one and they've never really worked for me. I find Costello completely endearing, and he has had some wonderful small moments on screen, but I rarely muster more than a chuckle at A&C antics on the whole. After reading the IMDb reviews, I was so excited to watch this film, smiling with anticipation at a film that is so universally beloved and respected.
I sat through 40 minutes of this film before I couldn't take anymore and had to shut it off. If it became a brilliant comic masterpiece after that marker, I missed it. It finally dawned on me during my excruciating 40 minutes of viewing time one of the main reasons why I don't like Abbott and Costello. When Hardy is mean to Laurel, we know that beneath all the bluster that Hardy loves Laurel, so we are able to laugh. Beneath all of the hardcore violence and name-calling shooting between each of the Three Stooges, we all know they love each other, so we are able to laugh. When Dean Martin gets annoyed with Jerry Lewis, we know deep down he loves the guy, so we are able to laugh. My problem with Abbott is that I have never watched a single film where I get the sense there is even one IOTA of love that he feels for Costello. He is mean, nasty, demeaning, and I find it very uncomfortable to watch. It is not funny to me in any way...all his abuse does is make me angry with Abbott and feel sad for Costello being so pathetic, spineless, and clueless.
That is the only explanation I can find for not liking their comedy. I was going to blame it on the humor being aimed at a 9-year-old's intelligence level, but then so is most of Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges, and I love those comedy teams.
The 40 minutes I watched of this movie was predictable, cartoonish, and thoroughly unfunny, BUT, since I am outnumbered so dramatically on this site, one must assume that I am the only one bothered by the movie, so check out the film and judge for yourself.
I sat through 40 minutes of this film before I couldn't take anymore and had to shut it off. If it became a brilliant comic masterpiece after that marker, I missed it. It finally dawned on me during my excruciating 40 minutes of viewing time one of the main reasons why I don't like Abbott and Costello. When Hardy is mean to Laurel, we know that beneath all the bluster that Hardy loves Laurel, so we are able to laugh. Beneath all of the hardcore violence and name-calling shooting between each of the Three Stooges, we all know they love each other, so we are able to laugh. When Dean Martin gets annoyed with Jerry Lewis, we know deep down he loves the guy, so we are able to laugh. My problem with Abbott is that I have never watched a single film where I get the sense there is even one IOTA of love that he feels for Costello. He is mean, nasty, demeaning, and I find it very uncomfortable to watch. It is not funny to me in any way...all his abuse does is make me angry with Abbott and feel sad for Costello being so pathetic, spineless, and clueless.
That is the only explanation I can find for not liking their comedy. I was going to blame it on the humor being aimed at a 9-year-old's intelligence level, but then so is most of Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges, and I love those comedy teams.
The 40 minutes I watched of this movie was predictable, cartoonish, and thoroughly unfunny, BUT, since I am outnumbered so dramatically on this site, one must assume that I am the only one bothered by the movie, so check out the film and judge for yourself.