Action comedies are a competitive genre, which means that some underrated gems can get crowded out. Recently, it seems as though plenty of mainstream action movies are skewing toward comedy, possibly as a response to the box-office domination of the MCU. Still, there are some action comedies which deserve more attention.
Action comedies are back in the spotlight once again, thanks to new movies likeNovocaine, Back in Actionand an exciting lineup of summer blockbusters coming later this year. While the very best action comedies usually remain popular for many years, it can be easy to miss some of the genre’s lesser-known delights.
Each movie inEdgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogypokes fun at a different film genre.The World’s Endis Wright’s comedic spin on alien invasion movies, filled with references to sci-fi classics. It also incorporates elements of mystery and action, demonstrating Wright’s penchant for playing with genres.
The World’s Endis funny, constantly intriguing, and surprisingly emotional.
The World’s Endis always compared toHot FuzzandShaun of the Dead,and it doesn’t tend to come off well in these arguments. This has led to it having a much weaker reputation than it deserves. It may not be as universally popular as the other two movies in the trilogy, butThe World’s Endis funny, constantly intriguing, and surprisingly emotional.
Shaolin Soccersubtly pokes fun at sports movies that don’t understand the sports they’re portraying. One doesn’t have to be an experienced soccer fan to recognize that Stephen Chow’s comedy is a ludicrous fantasy. It applies the weightless physics of wire-fu to the sport, as well as the martial arts genre’s love of melodrama.
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Shaolin Soccerapes the general formula of many a successful sports movie, in which a team of underdogs band together to overcome their opponents, the establishment and everyone that ever doubted them. Chow’s wry meta-commentary frequently raise a smile, but it’s the overblown antics on the pitch that get the biggest laughs.
The Spy Who Dumped Meis far from the only comedy about inept, anxious characters who are forced to dabble in espionage, but there are a few things which make it stand out from the crowd. One is thatit’s a rare comedy movie that actually gets the best out of Kate McKinnon, who would be a much bigger star if more films understood her appeal like this.
There are some exciting action scenes peppered throughoutThe Spy Who Dumped Me,but it boils down to a story of female friendship above all else. This is something else that makes it a unique offering in the spy genre. Fortunately, the two main characters are easy to root for, and their friendship rings true.
Black Dynamitewas famously shot in just a couple of weeks, and its ramshackle, on-the-fly production can be seen on screen. Luckily, this makes it even funnier, since it’s a parody of 1970s blaxploitation movies with similar production quality. Each little mistake is like a comedic gift.
Black Dynamiteis a wonderfully overblown comedy, the kind that should be watched in a group and quoted at length. This is because most ofBlack Dynamite’s intelligent meta gags feel like in-jokes.Even without knowing much about blaxploitation movies, audiences should watchBlack Dynamitefor a dose of irreverent realness, and some surprisingly competent martial arts mixed into the chaos.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.is based on a popular TV show from the 1960s, and it could have started an entire franchise if it had performed better at the box office. The movie’s failure means that it has been resigned to mere cult classic status, but Guy Ritchie’s stylish spy caper deserved better.
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The Man From U.N.C.L.E.is one ofGuy Ritchie’s best movies. The ’60s style is gorgeous, and the action scenes are wonderfully inventive. Although it’s a different prospect to the likes ofSnatchandThe Gentlemen,The Man From U.N.C.L.E.maintains the same snappy pace and hilarious dialogue of Ritchie’s gangster flicks.
Rush Hourmade $244 million at the box office in 1998. Jackie Chan’s next American comedy,Shanghai Noon, wasn’t nearly as successful. Although it performed well enough and got a sequel three years later, it’s still often overshadowed byRush Hour,since both movies are culture clash comedies which pair Chan with an American counterpart.Shanghai Noondeserves more respect as one ofJackie Chan’s funniest martial arts comedies.
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson have a bubbly dynamic inShanghai Noon.Their characters aren’t always on the same page, but there’s an authenticity to their camaraderie that makesShanghai Nooneasy to love. Between their easygoing banter, some fun western genre spoofing and Chan’s endlessly impressive physical humor,Shanghai Noonhas a broad comedic palette.
Filmed in black and white and filled with a kind of giddy inventiveness,Hundreds of Beaversis a movie for people who love movies. It’s easy to see how the film was made, from conception all the way through to the intentionally shoddy practical effects and the can-do spirit.Hundreds of Beaversis an underdog film that’s still gaining an audience, despite its budget of just $150,000.
Hundreds of Beaversharks back to the silent film era.Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd are two obvious inspirationsfor the comedic style, butHundreds of Beavershas plenty of original gags to mix in with its affectionate repackaging of classic bits. It’s a carnival of comedy, laser-focused on making its audience laugh above all else. This attitude is sadly too rare these days, which makesHundreds of Beavers' archaic style surprisingly fresh.
Polite Societyfollows Ria Khan, a teenager growing up in London who ignores her career-driven parents and dreams of becoming the country’s top stunt performer. Through her makeshift stunt videos and inventive martial arts prowess, she symbolically fights back against a world trying to pigeonhole her potential. This reflects the entire film’s approach, sincePolite Societyuses its action and quirky humor to deconstruct societal gender norms.
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Iconic comedies like Uncle Buck show that a good movie can appeal to all generations, but still carry a great message that only gets better with age.
AlthoughPolite Societyhas a lot of intelligent discussion of the roles of women in patriarchal societies, it often resorts to bluntly punching the overbearing aggressors square in the face. This is extremely cathartic, and it feeds intoPolite Society’s feel-good energy.It’s an enjoyable romp about two bickering and believable sisters, complete with some creative fight scenes.
A lot of action comedies lean hard into the comedic side of things, butTaxistrikes a more even balance. Some of the car-smashing chase scenes are just as viscerally compelling as any action movie, andTaxiresists the urge to undercut the impact of such stunts with too many mistimed gags.
Taxikickstarted a whole franchise, and it even got a poorly-reviewed American remake starring Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah, but the original reigns supreme.Since it’s a French movie,Taxidoesn’t get as much attention in English-speaking countries as it deserves, but it invariably leaves audiences smiling.
Before he became one of Marvel and DC’s biggest directors, James Gunn made a very different kind of superhero movie.SuperstarsThe Office’s Rainn Wilson as an ordinary man who fashions himself as a masked vigilante to dish out his own ultraviolent brand of justice.
Superis a darkly comedic character study, and Rainn Wilson’s performance is worth watching.
Superwas overshadowed byKick-Ass,which came out a few months earlier, but it deserves to be admired on its own merits. Both films demonstrate how upsetting and visceral comic book violence can be in real life, butSuperis a more darkly comedic character study, and Wilson’s performance is worth watching.
