Hello I am the movie encyclopedia and if no one else will see it I will.
If you love film then you will know what I am talking about: Have you ever watched a movie that isn't really that good at first but when you start watching it over and over it really grows on you and you start quoting it and then eventually you study up on the film and suddenly you realize that it is one of your top 5 favorite movies of all time? Well maybe not that exactly but that's the way it is with me for Clue.
Clue was the first movie to be created based on a board game. And it was pretty hard to do because everyone has played Clue. I mean why do you think they have never done a Monopoly movie or a Candyland movie? But despite the huge reputation it had to live up to and considering the board game didnt really have a story-it was essentially just a whodunit murder mystery-John Landis and Jonathan Lynn created a masterpiece of comedy. That's right a masterpiece. I consider this movie funnier than Blazing Saddles and Airplane! Now before you tar and feather me for blasphemy, Blazing Saddles and Airplane are in my Top 25 of all time but Clue has just always surpassed it in my opinion. There are certain reasons for that too:
First is a man named Tim Curry. If you dont know who Tim Curry is...well you do know who Tim Curry is but you probably couldnt put the name to the voice. Tim Curry has THE MOST recognizable voice I have ever heard. He is the snobby British voice we all know quite well. If youve watched any animated movie with a British guy it was probably either John Cleese or Tim Curry. If you watched Legend its the devil. If you played Brutal Legend (awesome) than he is Deviculous. Anywhere you go you can find Tim Curry and this was his shining moment to me. Not a minute goes by where he isnt just brightening up the scene. His quirks and quips are nonstop and always provide laughs. And I think Clue probably has the greatest last half an hour of film ever....for one reason: Tim Curry. Tim Curry essentially redoes the entire movie by himself in great comical fashion. That and since the movie has three ending that are usually back to back (if you watch the whole movie) than you know that Curry had a lot to work with.
The second reason is the rest of the cast. You got SNL and comedy icon Michael McKean, Madeline Kahn of Blazing Saddles and any Mel Brooks movie fame, you got satirist master Martin Mull, CHRISTOPHER FREAKIN LLOYD
Lesley Ann Warren of TV fame and Eileen Brennan who helped come up with the idea for the film. You mix all of these great actors and comedy legends together along with Tim Curry and you got a fantastic film.
The third and final reason is the writing. Its hard to take a board game that has no plot except someone dies and one player did it, and turn it into comedy gold. John Landis took this thing from the ground up and using his horror backround as well as his comedy backround, mixed great comedy and great tension together. Landis also did something quite brilliant: he mixed in subtle nuances that you dont notice the first time around. There are so many hints, nods to the audience and subtle looks or props that just tell you everything you need to know about the movie. That's telling you something about good writing...a film that MAKES YOU REWATCH IT. Thats what I love. Ive seen Clue countless times and still notice something new.
This is one of those films that you notice in the bargain bin or the Target 5 dollar film isle but Clue holds a close place in my heart as one of the best of all time. It was the first and greatest film based on a boardgame and it seems someone else liked it because in 2011 they are remaking it. Here's hoping it lives up to my standards. I now leave you with this:
MY VERDICT: TOP 20
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