Review of Blazing Saddles (1974) by Garrett C — 08 Sep 2011

I always find it much harder to review comedy films than other genres. Sometimes it maybe a great comedy for many people, but for some it's just not their type of humor. Well I am delighted to say Mel Brooks's humor works just fine for me in this brilliant parody of westerns.

It is consistently hilarious throughout and has some great references to specific westerns or general cliches (Such as the Authentic Frontier Gibberish ala Walter Brennan or the "Head em off at the pass!").

The film also has some great laughs yet commentary on the subject of prejudice and racism. The cast is fun with the Mel Brooks usual Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens (or "King Kong" as us Kubrick fans know), the unforgettable Madeline Kahn, and the first man to fart in a major motion picture Burton Gilliam.

I thought the plot was a little wild and not as funny as soon as The French Mistake begins, but the rest of the film more than makes up for it. I feel for the non film buffs since a lot of the jokes are referencing films or stars that many do not know these days (i.

E. the Laurel and Hardy joke, We ain't got no stinkin' badges, Douglas Fairbanks' small feet). Despite the flaws Blazing Saddles remains a groundbreaking (especially during the fart scene) riot.