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Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (Special Edition)

Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (Special Edition)

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Philosophy, It is a sport?
Review: As hilarious as it is marvelous.
PythonÂ's ghreat sense of humour makes you laugh out loud!
This great british comedy team is funny.
Christmas in Heaven, a vegas style song is revealed as well Every Sperm is Sacred.
The Virtual Reunion is just hilarious.

And so every philosopher has an "s" on his name?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Find the fish
Review: Monty Python's third (proper) movie is violent, disgusting, and full of nudity. That's a good thing. Twenty years later, it's still funny and shocking. The outtakes are perfect --- they are worth watching, but they *should* be outtakes. None of them are as good as the rest of the film. (Although it's too bad Carol Cleveland's obnoxious waitress scene wasn't good enough to make the cut. She's funny.) And if you want to see the outtakes inserted into the original film, just choose that option on the main menu.

The commentary track isn't as good as Life of Brian or Holy Grail. It's just two Pythons and they spend a lot of time admiring the movie instead of talking about it. But it's still a five-star DVD. Why? Because no one makes movies like this anymore, even when they try.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a top notch film...
Review: And a top notch dvd. The critics found it's taste in question (especially the Mr. Creasobe sketch) that it was and boring, but in my eyes it is a masterpiece. The DvD is priceless, as there are a collection of humorous documentaries, a feature length commentary (by the two directors) a version for the lonely, a directors cut, top notch sound, quality picture, deleted scenes, alternate songs, bla bla bla... There's everything... And I mean everything you'd ever want... on this DvD. Completely worth the money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally! A Film For Finicky Fish!
Review: Since most Pythons fans,have already seen this film and formed their opinion,and since this is THAT same film,I'm going to waste space here at Amazon by reviewing only the "bonus materials". ( Which by-the-by,are REALLY cool.)

I am happy to say John Cleese got more involved with this one,and he's a welcome sight.(Still looney after all these years.).Included on this disc are the deleted scenes! "Martin Luther" was a given,since it's in the script book,as is the extended "Philosophy Restraunt" bit with Carol Cleveland.BUT...there is a Public Service Annoucement by Terry Jones about why War is good for the economy and the Cheese Industry ( with Eric Idle interpreting in Swedish(?),plus a bit more of Mr.Creosote,a bit more of Mr.& Mrs.Hendy ( Palin & Idle ) and their three limbed bell boy ( Gilliam,whom has a wheel for one hand ).There is also a deleted scene of French Waiter Idle,leading us on a very lonnnnnnnng walk & bus ride. There is also an option to view a "directors cut" which re-incorporates all of the cut scenes,back into the original film....it's a bit sloppy...but gives you the general premise....and also shows you why the scenes were cut. There is a segment featuring alternate versions of three film songs....which shows you why these were re-done.( The final versions were MUCH better.).The Virtual Python re-union is a must for Python fans waiting to see them all together again! There is also an Aquarium of fish,and what they think. ( It runs for about 20 minutes,for those who don't have the patience.).There's the John Cleese version of the trailer. There's the re-mastering of the film,in which Jones finds the masters in the trash,and Gilliam gives up and throws it all out again!There's all sorts of interviews new and old,trailers,and some funny poster designs.( Most of which Terry Jones hates.).There's also a "Soundtrack for the Lonely" option,in which it sounds like you have guests watching with you! Over all...the extras are a delight,and make this worth having....even if you didn't like the original film.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not their best...
Review: I love (and own) every single Monty Python episode, and love every one of their movies except...this one. The surreal opening number by Terry Gilliam is absolutely brilliant, and the first couple of skits are funny, and then it just gets lame, dull, and generally unfunny. They may have had in mind that they were going to push the boundaries of comedy with this movie, but the results are reminiscent of their occasional dud TV episodes, where the viewer sits waiting in vain for something actually funny to happen. If you've never seen Monty Python, DON'T START HERE!! Get Life of Brian or The Holy Grail to see their real brilliance.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great movie... the DVD is flawed.
Review: The last of the Pythons is more of their inspired lunacy. As a huge fan of their work, I can tell you that it's been far too long since their type of comedic brilliance has graced these eyes.

However, much like their "Back to the Future" debacle last year, Universal Home Video quality control dropped the ball on this one. The first disc (with the movie) won't play properly in progressive scan DVD players. If you have one, or are planning to upgrade, you'll want to contact Universal regarding a corrected disc (available in November 2003) at 1-800-433-4673.

Here's what the Universal press release had to say...

"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."

Otherwise, enjoy the movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Most Disgusting Piece of....Brilliance
Review: THE MOVIE
Yes, "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" is probably as disgusting and contaversial as the Python team ever got, but you can't come up to me and say you didn't at least crack a smile watching it. While not the best effort in their cinematic history, "Meaning of Life" definitely has some memorable, and sometimes completely out there (i.e. the "Find the Fish" segment) scenes in Python history. At some points, the sketches don't seem to string together as well as they should. In essence, "Meaning of Life" is a sketch show, with a loose concept (the meaning of life) behind it. While it could've done without some of the oddball sexual humor and nudity, that just makes it all the more...Python. Which is a good thing. I think. Anyways, here's what's with all that DVD nonsene!

PICTURE/SOUND
Eeeeeew, I won't take off stars for this in particular, BUT as anyone who has purchased this DVD knows, Disc 1 has major picture problems with all progressive-scan DVD players (which is the majority, of course!). Replacement discs will supposedly be available mid-November. Other than that huge, gigantic, terrible, disgusting thing, yeah, it looks nice.

EXTRAS
Disc One has a few goodies for all you fish out there. First off is a little introduction by Eric Idle, with many naughty words! A commentary with Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, but NOT one with Idle, Palin, and Cleese! What happened!? The other two movies had this setup for commentaries (Jones + Gilliam, and Idle + Palin + Cleese). I would've loved to hear their thoughts on the film, but Gilliam and Jones do a good job. Listen to it. Now. Also is a Soundtrack for the Lonely which is terribly boring and...well, just super! Ooh, and 3 Deleted Scenes, which are placed in the movie terribly and have not be retouched at all. Watch with caution. They are, overall, not too funny either.
Disc Two includes "The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'" a documentary detailing the making of the film with recent interviews with all 5 of the (surviving) Python members, as well as old interviews that include some with Graham Chapman, who is dead, as you may have guessed from the previous statements. Only bad thing about it is they put them in front of these completely stupid backgrounds during the interviews. Oh, and Michael Palin rambles for a while about John Cleese's behind, among other things. Yes, it's true.
"Song and Dance" is a little feature about the songs "Every Sperm is Sacred" and "Christmas in Heaven" which sheds some light on those multi-(million)-Grammy worthy numbers.
"Educational Tips to Prepare You for Life in the Real World" is a feature made for the DVD with a few of the Python cast playing the parts of Professors or some sort at a completely made-up, fake, (not real) university. Yes.
"Remastering a Masterpiece" is a "documentary" on remastering the film, which includes Terry Jones doing many illegal things.
"What Fish Think" is a segment about - FISH - that only fish will understand. Humans stay away.
There's a "Virtual Reunion" with the Pythons where they all hang out and dance and party all night long. No, not really, they just stand around and you might chuckle at it after a while.
"Un Film De John Cleese" is John Cleese's giant, mega, blockbuster !NEW! trailer for "The Meaning of Life" featuring -
JOHN CLEESE!
3 songs of the movie sung by different Python members. They're in recording studios, but you get the vibe anyways.
Oh, and some deleted scenese (a few more than in Disc One) with commentaries by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, as well as some promotional material, including (but not limited to) telepathy!

It's true. Get it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: And Perhaps a hose.....
Review: this movie is just fantastic, and all the extras make it worthwhile.

I can remember the first time I saw it... with the catholic jokes, the organ donor insights (So, can we have your liver then) with the deadpan wit jerk that only MP can really deliver.

I think that this film is a perfect film for anyone to watch, and it is especially fun if you can watch it with someone who has never seen MP on film before (yes, there are some poor saps that have not experienced the bizarre, fun wit of MP) and just watch the reactions to the different situations.

My personal favorite scene is the one where G. Chapman is looking out the window at all the 'silly catholics having all the silly kids they can't afford to feed' and Eric Idle playing the wife, 'O, what are we darling' to which G. Chapman replies 'We are Protestant...'

It goes O so pleasantly downhill from there..

what a great remix of a classic comedy movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "The sun and you and me and all the stars that we can see"
Review: Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" is a hilarious ride through a good number of sketch comedy bits that are vaguely about the meaning of life. Some of them strike the right chord of humor and meaning, whilst others just sort of meander unconnected through parts of the movie. Most of the time, however, everything comes together to create a wonderful comedic synergy.

There are many different scenes in "The Meaning of Life" which are loosely connected by a placard which tells you what part of life that the sketches are referring to. As I said earlier, sometimes the bits are spot-on, sometimes they just wander aimlessly. Most all of them are funny. Many times I found myself laughing out loud.

One of the best parts of the movie comes early on when we are treated to a full-on musical number about Catholicism and procreation. There is a scene later in the film that is funny simply by its shockingly gross nature. It features a very large man known as Mr. Creosote. I also quite liked the scenes where Eric Idle is dressed as woman. He's perfect as the Protestant wife, Mrs. Hendy (one half of the daft American couple), and the lady hosting the dinner party which the Grim Reaper intrudes upon. There are many other hilarious scenes, as is typical with anything that Monty Python does, but to go into them further would be to take away from the fun of seeing them unfold before your eyes. Trust me, you'll laugh at a great many parts of this movie.

"The Meaning of Life" was the last feature film for Monty Python, and was released in 1983. The 20th anniversary DVD features a second disc of special features, most of which are interesting, if not particularly satisfying. There is a new, short comedy skit featuring Michael Palin and John Cleese. There are several deleted scenes, and though none of them are bad, it is easy to see why they were not included in the final release. Perhaps the best special feature is a new, 50 min. interview session with the remaining Python members: Palin, Cleese, Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones (Graham Chapman passed away in 1989). Many of the Pythons are somewhat critical of the film, although they give it a stamp of approval in the end.

"Meaning of Life" is not the best Python film (that honor goes to "The Holy Grail"), but it is probably their second best. The humor is witty, biting, and often times ruthless, and the acting is sharp and top-notch throughout. After watching it again on the 20th anniversary DVD, I found myself smiling over so many of the funny characters and situations that were in the movie. It's one of the most hilarious 90 minutes that you can spend in your life. And isn't that meaning enough?

-- Matthew Gladney

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: OFFENSIVE FUN MAY HAVE ACTUAL MEANING
Review: Better laugh than cry. Forget Freud, Wittgenstein, Jung, Phil or Winfrey -- Monty Python's THE MEANING OF LIFE (Universal) suggests life is bloody, visceral and nasty. And funny. A cosmic joke where humans' grotesque behavior is the punch line. Whoosh. What was that? Your life, mate. Do I get another chance? Sorry. This series of surreal sketches tied together by the seven ages of man -- or is it the seven deadly sins? (not a big difference here) -- is an excuse for the Python's absurdist physical comedy. The film, banned in Ireland, was praised in France! Behind all farce snakes the fangs of truth. I laughed until I threw a muscle.


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