SPOILERS Once upon a time, six amazing friends teamed up together to write one of the finest British comedies of all time. They would collectively be known as 'Monty python' and the series was "Monty Python's Flying Circus". Shown from 1969 to 1974, the series featured some of the funniest comedy ever created in this country.
In 1983 the Pythons came together once more to create "The Meaning of Life". More sketch orientated than previous film collaborations, it is a bit of a disappointment to many Python fans. Inconsistent and only occasionally hilarious, the film is saved mainly due to one or two brilliant new songs. Still, despite it's disappointments, it is still a Python film and there are moments when that skill and genius are evident.
As one fish says to another "what's it all about?". Well Monty Python is about to tell you. Starting from birth and proceeding through to death, "The Meaning of Life" educates us all through comedy sketches and music.
The problem with "The Meaning of Life" is that it is often just not that funny. Stories involving the vomiting Mr Creosote (Terry Jones) and the random long armed man (again Jones) are easily remembered for the wrong reasons, whilst other moments of the film are easily forgettable. This in itself is unique for Python and it is a shame.
Still, there are moments of the film when the old Python is resurrected. A surreal story involving the Grim Reaper is brilliant. As is a "Zulu" spoof where dying soldiers are more concerned by a General's scratch. Most notably though are songs like "Every Sperm is Sacred" and "The Meaning of Life". Whether sang by Michael Palin or Eric Idle, it's moments like these which save the film from being forgettable. Sadly though, they are far too few.
Unlike other "Monty Python" films, "The Meaning of Life" is a huge disappointment. At times instantly forgettable, the film never really lives up to the strengths of previous efforts. There are moments, most notably the songs, but these are too rare and the film soon disappears from the mind. Forgettable.
In 1983 the Pythons came together once more to create "The Meaning of Life". More sketch orientated than previous film collaborations, it is a bit of a disappointment to many Python fans. Inconsistent and only occasionally hilarious, the film is saved mainly due to one or two brilliant new songs. Still, despite it's disappointments, it is still a Python film and there are moments when that skill and genius are evident.
As one fish says to another "what's it all about?". Well Monty Python is about to tell you. Starting from birth and proceeding through to death, "The Meaning of Life" educates us all through comedy sketches and music.
The problem with "The Meaning of Life" is that it is often just not that funny. Stories involving the vomiting Mr Creosote (Terry Jones) and the random long armed man (again Jones) are easily remembered for the wrong reasons, whilst other moments of the film are easily forgettable. This in itself is unique for Python and it is a shame.
Still, there are moments of the film when the old Python is resurrected. A surreal story involving the Grim Reaper is brilliant. As is a "Zulu" spoof where dying soldiers are more concerned by a General's scratch. Most notably though are songs like "Every Sperm is Sacred" and "The Meaning of Life". Whether sang by Michael Palin or Eric Idle, it's moments like these which save the film from being forgettable. Sadly though, they are far too few.
Unlike other "Monty Python" films, "The Meaning of Life" is a huge disappointment. At times instantly forgettable, the film never really lives up to the strengths of previous efforts. There are moments, most notably the songs, but these are too rare and the film soon disappears from the mind. Forgettable.