Robin Hood: Men in Tights

“Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” released in 1993, is a nice return to the crazy, radical scatological comedies that made Mel Brooks a household name everywhere. It is a film for his loyal fans and for younger audiences who only know Mel Brooks from name. Leonard Klady said in his review, “Virtually a primer of all the familiar visual and literal jokes in his bag of tricks, the film is a paean to the obvious that is more delight than retread. It should sail through the summer on steady business aimed at the funny bone like no other film in the market place.”

Brooks’ loving the residents of Sherwood Forest is honest if hard to see. Klady noted, “In 1975 he covered the basic territory in the television series “When Things Were Rotten.”” On top of that, he really pulled together a classic that it basically looked like his largest success, “Blazing Saddles.” Even classicists will find that one a classic comedy.

The basic story is about nobleman Robin of Loxley, played by Cary Elwes, who journeys with King Richard to the Crusades. He escapes and returns to England, where he finds the kingdom in a terrible shape thanks to Prince John (Richard Lewis) and his evil partner renamed here the Sheriff of Rottingham (Roger Rees). Picking up criminal habits, Robin joins the good country people to help him get rid of the kingdom of the bane. He also falls in love with Maid Marian, played by Amy Yasbeck.

With Brooks in charge, there are so many satires taken on the famous tale. Friar Tuck has been redone by Brooks by renaming him Rabbi Tuckman, and the cast of characters includes a black foreign-exchange student, played by Dave Chappelle, and plenty of anachronistic modern references.

Klady mentioned, “The manic ensemble is grounded by Elwes’ virtually straight-faced interpretation of Robin with a glib assuredness that hits the target dead center. Rather slier is Yasbeck’s Marian, who gets great comic effect from being the girl too good to be true.”

The supporting cast includes a long list of Brooks’ regulars. Best of all are the hilarious crying of Rees’ Sheriff and the ugly old woman Latrine as played by Tracey Ullman.

Klady said, “Taste, never a factor to be considered seriously in the filmmaker’s work, is appropriately questionable. There is tremendous glee to be derived from the spontaneity of his outrageous antics. It’s blunted only when he steals shamelessly from past successes.”

One size of “Tights” won’t be everyone’s, but Mel Brooks stays a brilliance whose audience is always open and willing to see what he comes up with next.

As you might have guessed, I actually had a great time laughing at this movie. If you love all of Mel Brooks’ comedies, this one is for you, especially if you have seen Disney’s “Robin Hood” and “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” which it mainly spoofs. This got bad reviews, but I think it’s not as bad as the critics made it out to be. Give it a watch and don’t listen to any of the bad reviews.

Alright everyone, this concludes “Parody Month.” I hope all of you enjoyed this month, as I finally got around to talking about a few of my favorite comedies/parodies. Look out next month to see what I have in store for everyone.