* Terrible * * Below Par * * * Not Bad * * * * Good * * * * * Brilliant
*WARNING* POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I believe it was John Cleese who quite openly stated some time ago that he regarded 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life' to be 'Something of a cock up'.Basicly a series of sketches beginning with birth right up to death and the after life.This last entry for the Python team is merely a series of unconnected surreal skits(That only they could do) with the running theme of the meaning of life.Having seen it I think Cleese was being a little hard on himself and the rest of his colleagues.Sure 'The Meaning of Life' is the weakest in the series of the Python movies.But compared to some of the movies the likes Cleese, Idle, Palin and the rest made after it it's a simple masterpiece.There's Graham Chapmans's very last movie,'Yellowbeard' for instance or Eric Idle's dire 'Splitting Heir's'.Both embarrassing travesty's in their own rights.
Indeed this is a mixed bag of a movie.There are some fairly embarrassing moments that make you wonder what the team were smoking when they were sitting around the table and brainstorming ideas.There is for example the hideous sight of Chapman dressed in some bizarre brightly colored corset, stockings and wig.Wearing makeup,very much like David Bowie would have worn as Ziggy Stardust.With him is Terry Jones dressed in what apears to be a waiters costume with incredibly long arms.Both of them are warbling on with over the top voices about looking for a fish.You know.Something like 'Where's Wally' but more disturbing.The whole scene is just ridiculous and to top it all of we have some elephant like abomination thrown on to the screen to freak us out even more.
The scene set during the crimean war doesn't help either.Something to do with a soldier who's leg has been stolen by a tiger.Sadly these are not the only scenes.There's a sketch involving a birth in a hospital that partly sends up 'Dr.Kildare' that is just down right baffling at times.This is just one more in a number of less than inspired moments.
But for those scenes that do not work there are those moments of inspired genius that only Cleese and Co. could come up with.The sketch set in Yorkshire with the working class family with too many kids that satarises the catholic church's attitude to contraception is an instant classic.The amazing song and dance routine, 'Every sperm is sacred' is brilliantly put together and performed.It just wonderfully sums up the ignorance and the naievity, not to mention the dogma of catholosism.It harkens back to the lampooning of the fanatacism in the christian faith that was seen in the superb 'Life of Brian'.One of the better Python efforts.
Then there's the other musical number 'The Galaxy Song' that makes you look at the possible insignificance of your life and it's problems when compared to the size and magnitude of the cosmos.It's a song brilliantly delivered by Eric Idle in a wonderfully surreal sketch that deals with the subject of live organ transplants.
But who can forget the repulsive sketch not too far from the end of the movie.The vomit inducing scene involving the most vile and repulsive character ever created by the Python team. The grotesque Mr.Creoste who is wonderfully and disgustingly played to perfection by Terry Jones.I won't say any more as it would spoil the surprise.Though I believe the reactions of the loyal fans out there might be quite mixed.It is a scene not for the easily offended and it's denouement is certainly jaw dropping.It also contains a little epilogue which will certainly upset some religously.
There is a poignant side to the movie.This of course was Graham Chapman's last movie with any of the Python team as he sadly passed away as a result of the AIDS virus shortly after the film and his very last feature 'Yellowbeard' were completed.It is very evident how ill Chapman was in a scene fairly late in the film where he looks quite gaunt.Not the way i'm sure we the fans or his close friends, relatives and colleagues would care to remember him.It's little wonder that a dedication was never placed at the end of the movie.
It's not hard to see why the Python's made this there last film.It seemed quite obvious that they were running out of ideas and were beginning to repeat themselves.It's funny when you look back now to see were each of the teams career moves took them afterwards.It seems safe to say that out of all the stars involved, Terry Gilliam had the most lucky and successful.Although now a big name director in Hollywood I think he would probably sooner forget the debacle that was the failed attempt to film his 'Don Coyote' project.
Anyway.If you get the chance try and get a hold of it on video or DVD,Or better yet if you see it's going to be screened on your nearest television station. Tape or watch it.It's worth seeing.If only for those brief flashes of Python genius.It's a shame you have to wallow through some lamer moments.But trust me.The moments that do work are worth the wait.
Robs Rating:* * *
*WARNING* POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I believe it was John Cleese who quite openly stated some time ago that he regarded 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life' to be 'Something of a cock up'.Basicly a series of sketches beginning with birth right up to death and the after life.This last entry for the Python team is merely a series of unconnected surreal skits(That only they could do) with the running theme of the meaning of life.Having seen it I think Cleese was being a little hard on himself and the rest of his colleagues.Sure 'The Meaning of Life' is the weakest in the series of the Python movies.But compared to some of the movies the likes Cleese, Idle, Palin and the rest made after it it's a simple masterpiece.There's Graham Chapmans's very last movie,'Yellowbeard' for instance or Eric Idle's dire 'Splitting Heir's'.Both embarrassing travesty's in their own rights.
Indeed this is a mixed bag of a movie.There are some fairly embarrassing moments that make you wonder what the team were smoking when they were sitting around the table and brainstorming ideas.There is for example the hideous sight of Chapman dressed in some bizarre brightly colored corset, stockings and wig.Wearing makeup,very much like David Bowie would have worn as Ziggy Stardust.With him is Terry Jones dressed in what apears to be a waiters costume with incredibly long arms.Both of them are warbling on with over the top voices about looking for a fish.You know.Something like 'Where's Wally' but more disturbing.The whole scene is just ridiculous and to top it all of we have some elephant like abomination thrown on to the screen to freak us out even more.
The scene set during the crimean war doesn't help either.Something to do with a soldier who's leg has been stolen by a tiger.Sadly these are not the only scenes.There's a sketch involving a birth in a hospital that partly sends up 'Dr.Kildare' that is just down right baffling at times.This is just one more in a number of less than inspired moments.
But for those scenes that do not work there are those moments of inspired genius that only Cleese and Co. could come up with.The sketch set in Yorkshire with the working class family with too many kids that satarises the catholic church's attitude to contraception is an instant classic.The amazing song and dance routine, 'Every sperm is sacred' is brilliantly put together and performed.It just wonderfully sums up the ignorance and the naievity, not to mention the dogma of catholosism.It harkens back to the lampooning of the fanatacism in the christian faith that was seen in the superb 'Life of Brian'.One of the better Python efforts.
Then there's the other musical number 'The Galaxy Song' that makes you look at the possible insignificance of your life and it's problems when compared to the size and magnitude of the cosmos.It's a song brilliantly delivered by Eric Idle in a wonderfully surreal sketch that deals with the subject of live organ transplants.
But who can forget the repulsive sketch not too far from the end of the movie.The vomit inducing scene involving the most vile and repulsive character ever created by the Python team. The grotesque Mr.Creoste who is wonderfully and disgustingly played to perfection by Terry Jones.I won't say any more as it would spoil the surprise.Though I believe the reactions of the loyal fans out there might be quite mixed.It is a scene not for the easily offended and it's denouement is certainly jaw dropping.It also contains a little epilogue which will certainly upset some religously.
There is a poignant side to the movie.This of course was Graham Chapman's last movie with any of the Python team as he sadly passed away as a result of the AIDS virus shortly after the film and his very last feature 'Yellowbeard' were completed.It is very evident how ill Chapman was in a scene fairly late in the film where he looks quite gaunt.Not the way i'm sure we the fans or his close friends, relatives and colleagues would care to remember him.It's little wonder that a dedication was never placed at the end of the movie.
It's not hard to see why the Python's made this there last film.It seemed quite obvious that they were running out of ideas and were beginning to repeat themselves.It's funny when you look back now to see were each of the teams career moves took them afterwards.It seems safe to say that out of all the stars involved, Terry Gilliam had the most lucky and successful.Although now a big name director in Hollywood I think he would probably sooner forget the debacle that was the failed attempt to film his 'Don Coyote' project.
Anyway.If you get the chance try and get a hold of it on video or DVD,Or better yet if you see it's going to be screened on your nearest television station. Tape or watch it.It's worth seeing.If only for those brief flashes of Python genius.It's a shame you have to wallow through some lamer moments.But trust me.The moments that do work are worth the wait.
Robs Rating:* * *