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Post by moviemouth on May 30, 2019 0:04:02 GMT
What is everybody's thoughts on this movie?
If nothing else this movie is an interesting failure. Mostly unfunny, very disjointed and overproduced, but it has a good cast.
I don't like the idea of directors parodying their own movies and 1941 opens with Spielberg doing exactly that. Nancy Allen's character's sexual attraction to planes is funny though and it has some nice gags here and there. I actually did laugh out loud at the part where the Japanese soldiers are pretending to be Christmas trees.
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Post by jcush on May 30, 2019 0:23:00 GMT
Pros:
The score by John Williams
Good cast
Well shot
Good sets/production value
Cons:
Humor is very hit or miss
Most of the cast doesn't really get a chance to shine
Too many main characters makes the film messy, as it jumps around between them
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Post by MCDemuth on May 30, 2019 0:33:12 GMT
PROS: Although the film was called "1941" (for some weird reason...)... It was loosely based on these TWO real events that happened over THREE DAYS in late February of 1942: 1.) The Japanese Submarine Attack: "Bombardment of Ellwood", California (February 23, 1942) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Ellwood2.) "The Battle of Los Angeles"/"The Great Los Angeles Air Raid" (February 24/February 25) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Los_Angeles" In Death Valley, crazy, cigar-chomping United States Army Air Forces Captain Wild Bill Kelso lands his Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter near a roadside store and gas station; while refueling, Kelso accidentally manages to blow up the station." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_(film)Actress Lucille Benson played the " roadside store and gas station" Mama... Actress Lucille Benson also played ALMOST the exact same character, the "Lady at Snakerama", in another Steven Spielberg film: "Duel" (1971) " The "Snakerama" gas station (now the Peppertree market) seen in the film also appears in Spielberg's comedy film 1941 (1979) as an homage to Duel, with actress Lucille Benson again appearing as the proprietor." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duel_(1971_film)Since both scenes apparently took place in "California", and appear to be at the same location... One could assume... that "1941" is a loose prequel to "Duel", and that the "Lady at Snakerama" (1971) could be the daughter of the " roadside store and gas station Mama" (1941) At least, It's fun to think that!  |
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Post by moviemouth on May 30, 2019 0:42:49 GMT
Pros: The score by John Williams Good cast Well shotGood sets/production value Cons: Humor is very hit or miss Most of the cast doesn't really get a chance to shine Too many main characters makes the film messy, as it jumps around between them That is actually a con in this case imo. The movie is well shot but not for the kind of movie it is suppose to be. Part of the reason the movie doesn't work as a comedy is because it is shot like a serious war movie and not a parody.
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Post by moviebuffbrad on May 30, 2019 1:17:38 GMT
Pros: The score by John Williams Good cast Well shotGood sets/production value Cons: Humor is very hit or miss Most of the cast doesn't really get a chance to shine Too many main characters makes the film messy, as it jumps around between them That is actually a con in this case imo. The movie is well shot but not for the kind of movie it is suppose to be. Part of the reason the movie doesn't work as a comedy is because it is shot like a serious war movie and not a parody. I think the more authentic a parody/satire looks can add to the humor. Anyway, I haven't seen it in long enough to really do pros and cons, but I remember finding it funny enough. Some cool set pieces as well, like the rolling ferris wheel. And I personally dug the Jaws opening. |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2019 1:24:37 GMT
I always liked it a lot more than most seem to. I guess I can sum up why by just saying - I found it funny. There's really not much more to it than that. It made me laugh.
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Post by moviemouth on May 30, 2019 1:35:03 GMT
That is actually a con in this case imo. The movie is well shot but not for the kind of movie it is suppose to be. Part of the reason the movie doesn't work as a comedy is because it is shot like a serious war movie and not a parody. Anyway, I haven't seen it in long enough to really do pros and cons, but I remember finding it funny enough. Some cool set pieces as well, like the rolling ferris wheel. And I personally dug the Jaws opening. I actually agree with that in certain cases, but it doesn't have that effect in 1941 at all.
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Post by kolchak92 on May 30, 2019 1:41:54 GMT
Pros - John Williams's score
Cons - Literally everything else about it
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Post by ck100 on May 30, 2019 2:29:24 GMT
The Cinema Snob did a review of this film recently:
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Post by moviemouth on May 30, 2019 3:46:00 GMT
The Cinema Snob did a review of this film recently: He must have been watching a different version of this movie than me.
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Post by Prime etc. on May 30, 2019 4:29:51 GMT
I like the ferris wheel scene with the two guys.
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Post by kolchak92 on May 30, 2019 4:42:53 GMT
Someone once described 1941 as "Spielberg trying to be John Landis", I think that sums it up perfectly.
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Post by ck100 on May 30, 2019 5:22:42 GMT
And Spielberg had a cameo in a John Landis film:
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Post by vegalyra on May 30, 2019 14:16:12 GMT
Anybody that sees this scene and doesn't laugh doesn't have a sense of humor....  I was/am a WW2 history buff, and this movie cracks me up everytime I watch it. Warren Oates performance in particular is massively hilarious. |
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Post by Dramatic Look Gopher on May 30, 2019 14:26:59 GMT
I have to admit that I couldn't even finish watching it. Saw about the first 45 minutes before finally calling it quits. And it was for the exact reasons you mentioned. But yes, it does have a great ensemble cast.
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Post by Archelaus on May 30, 2019 16:04:10 GMT
The film had a very good ensemble cast, but it had a very lackluster script. There is no clear central character and the film has too many subplots. There were some parts I found amusing, but overall, it wasn't too funny. The production design is astounding as it really captures the look of the early 1940s.
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Post by maxwellperfect on May 31, 2019 4:23:13 GMT
It just seemed wrong-headed to try to make a comedy out of that particular time. I mean, comedies set in wartime are possible, but comedy out of Pearl Harbor and its immediate aftermath? No. It just came across as desperate and awkward.
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Post by sostie on May 31, 2019 10:08:31 GMT
I actually enjoy the the film. Major pros I guess are Nancy Allen and possibly my favourite John Williams score
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