A- | While home sick in bed, a young boy's grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride. Directed by Rob Reiner Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, and Robin Wright Initial Review by Drew Landry |
The Princess Bride cleverly told an old story. It was the classic tale of a damsel in distress but also reminded us of the difficult relationship between the grandfather and grandson. It told two continual, yet competing stories, one with the book by "S Morganstern" and the other played by Fred Savage and Peter Falk. Doing that is a recipe for disaster because it takes a careful hand to guide a story through such precision and Rob Reiner pulled it off masterfully. In the end, viewers learned the power of love but not in a gooey way. The Princess Bride showed loves influence through comedy, sport, adventure, and suspense. Its ability to successfully achieve these aspects made it an instant classic for all generations.
Reiner was really the perfect director for this film. He is, by no means, a serious drama kind of director but rather one who tells a good story. His influence with Seinfeld and direction over This is Spinal Tap and not to mention this film speak to that ability. He was exactly the director William Goldman needed to tell this fantastic tale. His cast of Savage, Falk, Elwes, Wright, Patinkin, Andre the Giant, Shawn, Guest, and Sarandon beautifully acted out Goldman's tale through Reiner's direction. No other director could have done it this way and been successful.
There were unforgettable scenes through The Princess Bride and one that comes to mind first was the sword fight between The Man in Black (TMiB) and Inigo Montoya. The choreography and swordplay mixed with well timed dialogue can be held against any fight scene, let alone any sword (or lightsaber) fight, in modern film. What was more impressive than their sheer athleticism was the way Inigo and TMiB were able to display their knowledge of the sword. They exhibited this through their nomenclature discussion. Their dialogue about the rocky terrain and Bonetti's defense, Capo Ferro, Thibault, and Agrippa adds to the amazement of this magnificent scene.
Another memorable scene was the "Battle of Wits." To see Vizzini, the brains of the operation, go toe - to - toe against TMiB and eventually "lose" put the masked man over with the viewer in terms of brains. We saw how he can out last a giant and out play a Spaniard but we also saw how he can outwit a Sicilian when death is on the line(!).
The quotes were and are significant. How many times is a meme with Inigo's face with some words about not knowing what that word is posted somewhere on social media? There are people who have the words "As you wish" tattooed somewhere on their body. I have said "anybody want a peanut?" like a million times to people. I even tell students their upcoming exam will be "to the pain!" Naturally, they have no idea as to what was referenced. Sad. The most important quote came from Inigo Montoya and his revenge to the "Six Fingered Man."
Who could not be impressed with some of the minor characters? Miracle Max and Valerie, The Albino, The Impressive Clergyman, and The Booing Lady all held small but significant and hilarious roles.
Harsh critics of The Princess Bride may point to the inconsistency of Buttercup. She was a smart mouth before Westley, completely useless in the Fire Swamp, and then smart mouth again, only to return to being useless. I understand that but she was in distress and upset when Westley was away. He returns, she was butter. He goes away, she becomes the smart mouth again. Personally, her behavior is understood. When I am around a woman I am all about, I become the biggest doofus on the face of the earth. When I am alone, I perfectly fine. It is, undoubtedly, weird but criticizing the character on that is too harsh.
The Princess Bride is consistently in my top ten of great films. Funny, fun, cute, complex, engaging, and memorable. Those characteristics make it, arguably, the best movie of the 1980s and is easily in the A range. Its floor is A- and ceiling A+. MMC Member Jon says no 1980 film is an A+. Well Jon, you met your match. This is an A+ film and I stand by that message. Think he can convince me it is not? It will take a miracle!
Grade: A+
There were unforgettable scenes through The Princess Bride and one that comes to mind first was the sword fight between The Man in Black (TMiB) and Inigo Montoya. The choreography and swordplay mixed with well timed dialogue can be held against any fight scene, let alone any sword (or lightsaber) fight, in modern film. What was more impressive than their sheer athleticism was the way Inigo and TMiB were able to display their knowledge of the sword. They exhibited this through their nomenclature discussion. Their dialogue about the rocky terrain and Bonetti's defense, Capo Ferro, Thibault, and Agrippa adds to the amazement of this magnificent scene.
Another memorable scene was the "Battle of Wits." To see Vizzini, the brains of the operation, go toe - to - toe against TMiB and eventually "lose" put the masked man over with the viewer in terms of brains. We saw how he can out last a giant and out play a Spaniard but we also saw how he can outwit a Sicilian when death is on the line(!).
The quotes were and are significant. How many times is a meme with Inigo's face with some words about not knowing what that word is posted somewhere on social media? There are people who have the words "As you wish" tattooed somewhere on their body. I have said "anybody want a peanut?" like a million times to people. I even tell students their upcoming exam will be "to the pain!" Naturally, they have no idea as to what was referenced. Sad. The most important quote came from Inigo Montoya and his revenge to the "Six Fingered Man."
Who could not be impressed with some of the minor characters? Miracle Max and Valerie, The Albino, The Impressive Clergyman, and The Booing Lady all held small but significant and hilarious roles.
Harsh critics of The Princess Bride may point to the inconsistency of Buttercup. She was a smart mouth before Westley, completely useless in the Fire Swamp, and then smart mouth again, only to return to being useless. I understand that but she was in distress and upset when Westley was away. He returns, she was butter. He goes away, she becomes the smart mouth again. Personally, her behavior is understood. When I am around a woman I am all about, I become the biggest doofus on the face of the earth. When I am alone, I perfectly fine. It is, undoubtedly, weird but criticizing the character on that is too harsh.
The Princess Bride is consistently in my top ten of great films. Funny, fun, cute, complex, engaging, and memorable. Those characteristics make it, arguably, the best movie of the 1980s and is easily in the A range. Its floor is A- and ceiling A+. MMC Member Jon says no 1980 film is an A+. Well Jon, you met your match. This is an A+ film and I stand by that message. Think he can convince me it is not? It will take a miracle!
Grade: A+
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