3 reviews
And alas that is perhaps the only thing wrong with this compilation box set detailing the favourite sketches of Britains, and quite possibly the worlds, funniest comedic troupe. It carries an enormous host of the Pythons greatest sketches, but the famous sketches, the ultra-famous sketches i.e. The Dead Parrot Sketch and The Spanish Inquisition segments are not there in their entirety, so when someone asks to see one of these specific moments, it's incredibly infuriating, simply because they are incredibly funny.
Inside is a six disc collection, one per Python, in which the five remaining Pythons provide comedic introductions to what may ostensibly be a way of getting as many sketches as possible into a collection, but indeed are their personal favourites (hence no "Ministry Of Silly Walk Sketch (again not one in its complete entirety) on John Cleese's disc). The sixth is a wonderfully compiled edition featuring little stories from the five about the deceased Graham Chapman coming across as a truly heart felt tribute.
A couple of the sketches find themselves repeated on multiple discs, such as "The Fish Slapping Dance", even though it's worth it in all it's silly glory, and there's no room for "How Not To Be Seen" which is disappointing to say the least.
The Terry Gilliam disc is a highly interesting feature, comprised of his cartoon sketches. It works as a concept but an episode wouldn't flow entirely made of them, still as with all things Python, they're often funnier and sillier and just more entertaining than they are not.
The greatest thing that can be said about this boxset is that it's Monty Python, a group of comedic geniuses that all but the most abstinent look up to, admire and indeed follow, and one that few match. A few sketches shown from the Hollywood Bowl also remind us all that these men managed to transcend that most difficult of boundaries in the Atlantic and not only break through there but be as comedically revered there as they are in this country. It has a wide range of sketches, ones that you may not have seen and some you may have even forgotten, but they all tickle the funny bone in one way or another, through either their randomness, their silliness or their unabashed brilliance. Nobody expected a comedy troupe to be this funny!
Inside is a six disc collection, one per Python, in which the five remaining Pythons provide comedic introductions to what may ostensibly be a way of getting as many sketches as possible into a collection, but indeed are their personal favourites (hence no "Ministry Of Silly Walk Sketch (again not one in its complete entirety) on John Cleese's disc). The sixth is a wonderfully compiled edition featuring little stories from the five about the deceased Graham Chapman coming across as a truly heart felt tribute.
A couple of the sketches find themselves repeated on multiple discs, such as "The Fish Slapping Dance", even though it's worth it in all it's silly glory, and there's no room for "How Not To Be Seen" which is disappointing to say the least.
The Terry Gilliam disc is a highly interesting feature, comprised of his cartoon sketches. It works as a concept but an episode wouldn't flow entirely made of them, still as with all things Python, they're often funnier and sillier and just more entertaining than they are not.
The greatest thing that can be said about this boxset is that it's Monty Python, a group of comedic geniuses that all but the most abstinent look up to, admire and indeed follow, and one that few match. A few sketches shown from the Hollywood Bowl also remind us all that these men managed to transcend that most difficult of boundaries in the Atlantic and not only break through there but be as comedically revered there as they are in this country. It has a wide range of sketches, ones that you may not have seen and some you may have even forgotten, but they all tickle the funny bone in one way or another, through either their randomness, their silliness or their unabashed brilliance. Nobody expected a comedy troupe to be this funny!
- benjamin_lappin
- Jun 12, 2008
- Permalink
The five surviving members of Monty Python - John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Eric Idle - showcase their favourite Monty Python sketches. Also covered is the work of Graham Chapman in an episode-long homage to him and his contribution to the group.
Captures well the genius of the greatest comedy act the world has ever seen. Good selection of skits.
However, by making this a 'Greatest Hits', you remove the continuity of the original Flying Circus episodes. There the skits may have seemed independent in their setting and plot but there was often a running joke through the whole episode and certain things linking the skits. Here we have none of that.
In addition, the Pythons themselves don't add that much. Their discussions and interviews are never dull but don't really contribute much to my knowledge of Monty Python.
The exception would be the Graham Chapman episode, which is illuminating, as the Pythons discuss him and his contribution to the group. Is reasonably emotional too.
Overall, very funny (a given) but why not watch Monty Python's Flying Circus instead?
Captures well the genius of the greatest comedy act the world has ever seen. Good selection of skits.
However, by making this a 'Greatest Hits', you remove the continuity of the original Flying Circus episodes. There the skits may have seemed independent in their setting and plot but there was often a running joke through the whole episode and certain things linking the skits. Here we have none of that.
In addition, the Pythons themselves don't add that much. Their discussions and interviews are never dull but don't really contribute much to my knowledge of Monty Python.
The exception would be the Graham Chapman episode, which is illuminating, as the Pythons discuss him and his contribution to the group. Is reasonably emotional too.
Overall, very funny (a given) but why not watch Monty Python's Flying Circus instead?
A fine piece of work this Monty Python sketch show was! I enjoyed reminiscing with the boys, even if each piece was only an hour long. They probably could have stretched it out for two hours apiece. The way each Python approached their episode differently was especially interesting. I loved John Cleese's the most. Having himself be a senile old man married to a young, beautiful, exotic woman--who hates his guts--was great. Mention the girl, I'd never seen her before, and through a little internet searching I've found the girl who played John Cleese's wife Suki on his episode of Personal Best is actually a track star at UC Santa Barbara(where they filmed it) named Gilleon Smith. She does 100 meter, long jump, and triple jump! She's only a sophomore, and she's beautiful! You can tell she's athletic. I hope she decides to find more acting jobs in the future! Until then, I guess I'll have to keep watching John Cleese's Personal Best.
- alonzobalexander
- Jun 10, 2006
- Permalink