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From Amazon.co.uk
Returning to the sketch-show format of their earlier days, Monty Python' s The Meaning of Life was always going to feel less ambitious and less coherent than their cinematic masterpiece, The Life of Brian. And inevitably given the format, some sketches are better than others. But, for a movie that has been much-maligned, The Meaning of Life actually features some of the Pythons' most memorable set-pieces: the exploding Mr Creosote has to be the most wonderfully grotesque creation of a team whose speciality was the grotesque; while the sublime "Sperm Song" mixes satire and lavish visual humour in a musical skit of breathtaking audacity. Elsewhere, Eric Idle produces another musical gem with "The Universe Song" ("Pray that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space / 'Cause there's bugger all down here on earth!"), while the Grim Reaper's appearance at an achingly tedious dinner party is the Pythons doing what they do best: mocking their own middle-class origins. Best of all, perhaps, is Terry Gilliam's modest introductory feature, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance", a 20-minute epic tale of the little men rebelling against the corporate system, a theme and a visual style that foreshadows his own masterwork, Brazil. Admittedly too many sketches sacrifice subtlety for shock tactics (the organ donation scene in particular requires a strong stomach), but when this film works it's nothing less than vintage Python. --Mark Walker
Amazon.com Essential Video
Perhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python's the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it's a beaut. You'll laugh. You'll cry (probably because you're laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. --Jim Emerson
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It plays well,
By "simxp" (GZ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (Special Edition) (DVD)
Before I brought this I read lots reviews about the playing problem. But finally I decided to buy it because the Criterion Collection version out of print so long.After I got it, I put the first disc into my player at once. Fortunately, there was not any problem when playing it. The movie plays smoothly and clearly. I don't know it's because Universal already replaced it or my dvd player doesn't have ploblem on that special technic. The movie is well as everyone who love it know. But I think the disc two is a little boring and otiose. If you skip the disc two you won't miss anything. But ensure don't skip the deleted scenes on disc one.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL COMEDIES OF ALL-TIME.,
By Alejandro Cortes (Mexico) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (Special Edition) (DVD)
"The Meaning Of Life" has it all: jokes, satire, unforgettable characters, incisive and intelligent songs, a lot of creativity, well, it has everything. Perhaps this isn't a comedy suitable for all the family, but without a doubt this is a movie completely different to the other comedies.The Monty Python team was capable of create intelligent jokes and at the same time funny jokes with a dose of critic to well respected institutions: the schools, the church, the army, the hospitals, as well to real life people: wealthy people, religious fanatics, lazy and obese people, etc. "The Meaning Of Life" presents very interesting issues while the Monty Python crew mixes black comedy with satire and philosophy. "The Meaning Of Life" is divided in several mini scenes, featuring characters searching for the answer to the mystery of life, some of them seem to provide clues and theories about the meaning of life, and some of them provide more doubts, creating an excellent balance between jokes and serious issues. Without a doubt "The Meaning Of Life" is highly recommendable for those who are looking an original and unique comedy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DISC RECALL UPDATE!!! Possible relief on the way!!!!,
By e5150 (United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (Special Edition) (DVD)
Universal has fessed up to the bad discs, but are blaming the problem on all of our lousy dvd players, which they insist simply can't handle the extremely high-tech quality of their discs! Uhhh...okay....Anyway, what you need to do if your disc is bad--excuse me, I mean, if you have a dvd player which doesn't live up to their standards--well, here is their official statement: "...With the advent of cutting-edge technology in the DVD format, a small number of DVD players do not have the technical capability to take full advantage of the Monty Python's The Meaning of Life disc format. Universal Studios Home Video has become aware of a player specific issue which results in the appearance of jagged video interlacing, on disc 1 only. Disc 2 is NOT affected. Consumers with an incompatible player may mail back Disc 1 to Universal and receive a replacement. To obtain a pre-paid USPS envelope in which to mail back the original Disc 1, please call 1-800-433-4673. Replacement discs are currently scheduled to be available mid-November 2003. We appreciate your patronage and hope you continue to enjoy our products." Hey, it's only a couple months away. Thanks to everyone who complained to them about your subpar dvd players.
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