I remember someone once told me that there were really only 10 to 15 story ideas and every movie just reproduces a different version of a story that already exists. I'm not sure the number is between 10 and 15, but I do agree movies in each genre have a great deal in common. If you think about it, almost every comedy movie since 2004 follows one of four basic formulas.
1. The Adam Sandler Movie: A ridiculous protagonist surrounded by equally ridiculous supporting characters and unbelievably attractive female lead with some hidden problem. The humor almost relies entirely on people getting hit in the... junk, farts, and silly voices. These movies almost are never well received by critics and either make a lot of money or bomb entirely.
Best Example: You Don't Mess with the Zohan
2. The Will Ferrell Movie: Often almost entirely improvised and dependent on dialogue. The characters are in somewhat believable situations and it is their reactions to the mundane that make them funny. Okay, maybe the characters aren't completely life like, but I could see Ron Burgundy being real. Can't say the same about Zohan or The Waterboy. These movies are usually well received by critics and rarely bomb (except for Land of the Lost, but that movie sucked).
Best Example: Anchorman
3. The Indie: Humor that's almost too smart to be funny. Critically praised, but too good to make money. The characters are quirky and it's never really clear what is and isn't funny, but they're almost always well done.
Best Example: 500 Days of Summer
4. The Lebowski: Who knows what it's about, but it's good. What makes these movies different is that while they are comedies they are not dependent on humor to drive the plot. This allows the use of extreme violence and the occasional nihilist. Usually well recieved by critics, but the box office draw is unpredictable.
Best Non-Lebowski Example: Burn After Reading and In Bruges
I remember someone once told me that there were really only 10 to 15 story ideas and every movie just reproduces a different version of a story that already exists. I'm not sure the number is between 10 and 15, but I do agree movies in each genre have a great deal in common. If you think about it, almost every comedy movie since 2004 follows one of four basic formulas.
ReplyDelete1. The Adam Sandler Movie: A ridiculous protagonist surrounded by equally ridiculous supporting characters and unbelievably attractive female lead with some hidden problem. The humor almost relies entirely on people getting hit in the... junk, farts, and silly voices. These movies almost are never well received by critics and either make a lot of money or bomb entirely.
Best Example: You Don't Mess with the Zohan
2. The Will Ferrell Movie: Often almost entirely improvised and dependent on dialogue. The characters are in somewhat believable situations and it is their reactions to the mundane that make them funny. Okay, maybe the characters aren't completely life like, but I could see Ron Burgundy being real. Can't say the same about Zohan or The Waterboy. These movies are usually well received by critics and rarely bomb (except for Land of the Lost, but that movie sucked).
Best Example: Anchorman
3. The Indie: Humor that's almost too smart to be funny. Critically praised, but too good to make money. The characters are quirky and it's never really clear what is and isn't funny, but they're almost always well done.
Best Example: 500 Days of Summer
4. The Lebowski: Who knows what it's about, but it's good. What makes these movies different is that while they are comedies they are not dependent on humor to drive the plot. This allows the use of extreme violence and the occasional nihilist. Usually well recieved by critics, but the box office draw is unpredictable.
Best Non-Lebowski Example: Burn After Reading and In Bruges