Film & TV

Film Review: Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

A film of the Monty Python reunion event, using a mixture of live performance and archival footage that attempts to recapture what made this team so memorable.

 

Monty Python Live (Mostly)Since 1969 the Monty Python comedy troupe has been world renowned. Gaining popularity due to their weird and wacky view of life, the talents of its 6 performers can’t be under-estimated.

Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman each brought something unique. Combined, their comedic abilities were joyful to behold with their individual skills successfully seen elsewhere. Their many routines have garnered ever-more fans with many passing into infamy.

Monty Python Live (Mostly) is a film of their recent reunion event. Together on stage for the first time in 30 years, the team performed some cherished sketches during a string of theatrical shows in July.

Using a mixture of live performance and archival footage, the shows attempted to re-capture what made them so memorable. Although Graham Chapman is no longer around, he was there in spirit with filmed sequences ensuring he wasn’t forgotten.

Whilst essentially a greatest hits package, Monty Python Live (Mostly) enables new fans to see their great comic timing. Age hasn’t dulled their rebellious edge with several sketches receiving a fresh update. Making this event memorable is their presentation on a much grander scale, with the theatre venue becoming something akin to a vaudeville revue. Some skits perhaps would bother some of today’s more politically sensitive souls, although the Python’s skewering of life’s idiosyncrasies still amuses. This is the key to their longevity as they are still relevant and much needed in these often very conservative times.

Sketches everyone knows are there – the Spanish Inquisition, Ministry of Silly Walks, the Lumberjack Song and of course, the infamous dead parrot skit. Everyone seems to have a great time re-creating them with the audience obviously fueling their comedic adrenaline. Each of the gang has a fair crack of the spotlight, highlighting the skills making them vital to the overall team. The song and dance numbers are amazingly staged with nods to their films, creating a good overview of their entire catalogue. In between skits Gilliam’s wicked animation keeps momentum – and most importantly laughs – going.

Those who saw these shows live received a special treat. Their energy can easily be seen on a big screen with the camera taking you right in the midst of their mayhem. It showed the Pythons are still treasures to behold with their legacy in producing quality comedy material assured.

Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14

Rating out of 10:  8

 

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