preppy-3
A recording of the infamous British group Monty Python performing at the Hollywood Bowl back in (I believe) 1981. For fans of the TV show this will be great. They redo all more famous bits from the show. Obviously the audience was full of fans judging from the thunderous applause that greeted the mare familiar ones. The movie starts right off with four of the guys singing "Sit On My..." and keeps going full blast. The best bits were the pope arguing with Michangelo about the painting of "The Last Supper"; Ministry of Silly Walks; two gay judges; the World Forum; crunchy frog; "nudge nudge wink wink"; buying an argument and the Lumberjack Song. Also during the church police sketch you see most of the cast cracking up and trying to cover it up. Unfortunately there are bad sketches like a man wrestling with himself; the "Urban Spaceman" song and the International Philosophy Game. Still the good outnumbers the bad. Don't miss the beginning when they poke fun at 20th Century Fox and MGM logos. Fans will love this. Others might not. I give it an 8.
MartinHafer
This is a film that is best viewed by long-time Monty Python fans. Those unacquainted with the comedy troop may find the whole experience too weird or confusing. However, for those who loved the show, this should be a wonderful and engaging film--sort of like seeing old friends. All of the skits performed for the film are done live at the Hollywood Bowl. Many will be familiar, as they are new versions of many of their most famous TV skits. A few are newer ones. Most succeed quite well, though a few might be a tad put off by the vomit in the "crunchy frog" skit--I personally thought this actually improved it over the original TV version.While not as funny as THE HOLY GRAIL or AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, this one is still a keeper and is sure to make you chuckle.
MisterWhiplash
Seeing a live concert from the Monty Python troupe, in the form it's here presented, is a grand mix for fans of best-of bits and newer ones, with many an oddity laced in between and in surprising crevices of sketches. When a sketch was really good, it was probably at best one of my favorites form the troupe just in general. Weaker ones, mainly involving little bits of physical comedy that didn't work or a couple of lines or gags that either fell flat for me or just didn't quite work (and at times I don't get too many laughs from Eric Idle, it depends on the sketch). But I would recommend it to fans for a lot of the stuff that does work, and I got a lot of laughs of of the Michelangelo/Pope sketch, the filmed segments of the Olympic races and the philosophers soccer match (actually, all the philosopher segments really, the game show especially), classics like the Lumberjack song, 'Silly walks' and 'Arguing' segments, the intermission, and of course Gilliam's animations.Indeed if there is anything consistent here, much as in Meaning of Life- which the team would put out less than a year later- it's that the songs are always overall supremely entertaining (here even a couple that aren't done by Pythons but by an extra pianist/singer). And even when there's a moment that doesn't fall quite right, there's never a dull moment when some sentence or expression or the dead-pan crossing with over-the-top comes around the corner. It's a fine addition to any fan's collection, with some that could introduce even introduce Monty Python well enough to someone who's never seen the show or other movies. It's quality isn't as sharp or totally unconventional as in the latter of those, but I would still watch it again, if only for a few of the sharpest jokes and bits of performance.
didi-5
This live show, featuring all six Pythons plus Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes, is a mix of their own classic sketches and some stuff which predated the team together. Cleveland of course had been an honorary member of the group right from day one as she was almost always the glamour girl in their sketches; Innes had been involved with them since TV series 4 and Holy Grail.Not entirely a success, it does shine for the following - Graham's sketch where he wrestles with himself, the film bits of the German shows (rarely seen stuff on the Olympics and a fairy story about Red Riding Hood), the songs - Terry Gilliam's 'I've Got Two Legs', Neil Innes' 'How Sweet To Be An Idiot' and more. The Lumberjack Song is there but no Dead Parrot (but it isn't missed).From pre-Python there is 'Four Yorkshiremen', which is funny whoever chooses to appear in it. For audience participation the best bit is the 'Philosopher's Song', which song-sheet to sing along to.
However, I didn't enjoy this as much as the TV programmes and the films. It seemed too contrived and rather cynical at times, and also (particularly from Cleese) there is too much reliance on swearing to get laughs when there's no need. It's ok if you've already seen anything else - but avoid if you don't know Python already.
AD
