Mel Brooks
Spaceballs

Today, I want to review a film by a director I am very fond of: Mel Brooks. The parody of Star Wars, titled "Spaceballs", is not one of his best works. I would dare say it belongs to the declining phase of his endless career, but this severity of judgment is justifiable only because, looking back in time, Mr. Brooks' personal filmography includes masterpieces like "Blazing Saddles", "Young Frankenstein", "High Anxiety", "Silent Movie", and "The Producers". For once, I agree with critics who consider Mel a true giant of comic cinema, dedicated to parody. In 1987, after 10 years since "A New Hope", it's time to downsize George Lucas' saga.

What I appreciate most in Mel Brooks' humor is the ability to frequently use wordplay, make a plethora of references, address even social issues with irreverent humor, and make people laugh heartily without being particularly crude. In "Spaceballs", perhaps the genius and the incredible pace (a laugh a minute) of "Young Frankenstein", the irreverence of "Blazing Saddles", the courage of "Silent Movie", and the very inspired screenplay of "The Producers" (recently redone) are missing. Nevertheless, it makes you laugh...

"Space Balls" is a simple, immediate, and enjoyable work even for those who haven't fully appreciated the director's previous productions. The reason lies in the fact that George Lucas has unintentionally provided a plethora of easy assists on a silver platter for the timely exaggeration and consequent ridicule of the main characters. Dark Helmet (Darth Vader), Princess Vespa (Leia), Lone Star (Skywalker or Han Solo) & Barf (Chewbacca), Pizza the Hutt (Jabba), Yogurt (Yoda), and the Schwartz (Force) are very easy allusions for anyone who has at least briefly seen the Star Wars trilogy. Mel Brooks sprinkles it all with timely references (not just "Planet of the Apes" and "Alien") that you can appreciate on this web page.

The supporting caricatures also prove to be of value. President Skroob is embodied by Mel Brooks, who, as in Blazing Saddles, plays the part of the womanizing politician. Among others, the appearances of the cowardly Colonel Sandurz and King Roland are hilarious.

The film has a good pace and alternates memorable scenes (the "ludicrous speed" and Lord Helmet playing with dolls) with others less successful. In my opinion, the work is a bit unbalanced, offering the best in the first part, but these are details. The actors ("Spaceballs" launched Bill Pullman) are very good at giving the right silliness to the characters of a deliberately absurd story, and the comic talent of the late John Candy particularly stands out. An hour and a half of guaranteed fun for a work that I personally always watch with pleasure.

P.S. To fully appreciate the wordplay characterizing Mel Brooks' films, I highly recommend watching them in the original language if you can.

3 and a half stars