Slapstick movies as a dying breed
Lately, the slapstick movies (as a sub-genre of the comedy films) have been relegated to a forgotten and dying breed. Human Fall Flat has plenty of it, it relies on it, it even has a basic slapstick trope in its title.
Yes, speaking about this cool video game that we have on hand. However, these movies are underrated remnants of the past. But the Human: Fall Flat is an interesting piece of work. It’s a physics puzzle game and you’re playing as Bob. A customized character in an open-ended game. He’s both a human and featureless character, giving you the chance to express yourself.
And you get to traverse the game, by solving puzzles in the game.
Human Fall Flat and slapstick
First of all, slapstick movies as we know them today, are very much different from the early days of cinema.
Certainly, the pioneers of slapstick movies like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton may have invented them, but their comedic successors perfected the slapstick comedies.
Secondly, we have plenty of slapstick humor in Human Fall Flat, which is on sale here at IndieGala. Also, as a side-note, I spent months and months writing about action movies, fighting movies, and even samurai movies. So, why not sit back and relax with one of the best forms of comedy. Slapstick.
Human Fall Flat and the greats
Filmmakers like the Zucker brothers, the great Mel Brooks, and the Farrelly brothers are now considered the trailblazers in this particular type of comedies. Almost everybody has a favorite right? Certainly. And do these movies have people falling flat? You betcha!
Defining Slapstick Movies
Also, what are slapstick movies exactly? Well, the definition of slapstick comedies describes them as:
Comedy films where physical comedy that includes pratfalls, tripping, falling, practical jokes, mistakes, are highlighted over dialogue, plot and character development. The physical comedy in these films contains a cartoon-ish style of violence that is predominantly harmless and goofy in tone.
Everyone’s tastes are different, human fall flat differently
And in all honesty, everybody has a different list of favorite slapstick movies (and games), because everyone’s tastes are different. Some prefer the latest examples of slapstick movies. For example movies like Super Troopers and Scary movies. While others love movies like The General. An all time-classic. And that’s OK, as well. Not to mention, that it blends the old classics with the new more modern ones.
There’s Something About Marry
While I’m a huge fan of the Farrelly brothers, it took me almost 2 decades for me to watch this movie. Ultimately, I watched There’s Something About Marry for the first time just last year, and I loved it. Even now, I can’t understand how this movie escaped me from my radar for so long. Hence, I highly recommend it.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
This was the movie that made me a number 1 fan of Jim Carrey. To be honest, I’m still his number 1 fan, although he’s not that present in the comedy genre (anymore). Besides. it’s also one of those movies that I will never get bored watching. It’s the movie that I will be showing to my grandchildren as well. And no, I’m not joking.
Top Secret!
Between the legendary Airplane! (another fantastic movie) and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, there’s the highly underrated gem called Top Secret! in the middle. In addition to being a fan of making slapstick, Jim Abrahams is a huge fan of adding exclamation points in the movie titles. But I digress. Top Secret! is the debut movie of Val Kilmer and it is hilarious. Check it out!
Blazing Saddles
How on Earth can one pick a favorite Mel Brooks movie? I can’t. Indeed I can start with Blazing Saddles, but that list is going to be much longer than that. However, Blazing Saddles is more than just a slapstick movie.
It’s a satire and social commentary all at once. Furthermore, Blazing Saddles stood the test of time. And although Mel Brooks admitted that the movie wouldn’t have been made today, seems like he’s unapologetic about it. If you’re looking for 70’s cult classics, this should be on the top of your list.
Dumb And Dumber
Seems like Jim Carrey had his peak of productivity and brilliance in the ’90s. And, probably Dumb And Dumber is the perfect example of that. It is timeless, hilarious and outrageous. In contrast to the abomination that was the 2014 sequel, Dumb And Dumber To. But, let’s not discuss that cinematic atrocity OK? Focus on the original movie instead.
Tommy Boy and Black Sheep
I couldn’t pick just one. The pairing of Chris Farley and David Spade was comedic gold in the mid-’90s but sadly didn’t last that long.
However, what was left of that partnership is still respected by the fans of the late Chris Farley. Tommy Boy delivered the goods, while Black Sheep followed the path of comedic perfection the very next year. Regardless, this is a 2 for 1 offer, because I cannot choose between these two movies. They’re both brilliant.
The Gold Rush
What is left unsaid about Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece? Probably not a lot. I’m just going to mention this. If you haven’t seen Gold Rush, stop whatever you’re doing right now and watch it. Immediately. You’ll thank me later.
Your picks
What are your favorite slapstick movies? The good old oldies form the Keaton and Chaplin’s era? Or something more modern? Tell us in the comments.
