#10 Scary Movie (2000) (6/10)
Not the greatest film of all time, but a decent spoof of the slasher genre nonetheless. It's not the most technically gifted film either, but some of the jokes do hit the mark, although many will make you vomit with just how bad they are. This lower rate of comedy is all part of the charm though, and although 'Scary Movie' isn't in any way intelligent with its use of humour, there are still plenty of moments that will bring a smile to your face, even if you regularly get the feeling that as an art form this is fundamentally flawed. However in a spoof film that doesn't really make much difference, as the tone should be stupid, and as a stupid film this is one that never wants to be taken seriously, so if you put yourself in that frame of mind it's a piss take that's thoroughly entertaining.
I will admit that the enjoyment of 'Scary Movie' may depend on whether or not you've seen the source material, but if you did grow up in the late nineties and keep an eye on popular culture then not many of the readily accessible jokes will pass over your head. However as everyone knows only 90's kids remember the 90's, so only they will be the ones to get the thinly veiled shots out of contemporary horror. I just love the unapologetic manner with which this film lands its jokes, always going as over the top as possible, which does admittedly wear thin in places, but makes this a unique film that feels far more special than it's more modern inspirations. We'll forgot about the sequels that were just dumb, and especially the latest craze in atrocious parodies that this success fuelled. However, for a brief period of time this was a great laugh from an unlikely source, and further proof that good parodies can still be made, even years after their hay day.
#9 Galaxy Quest (1999) (7/10)
The legendary spoof of 'Star Trek' that's ironically better than the original franchise it's based on. Who doesn't love to take the piss out of 'Star Trek'? Taking the piss out of something so iconic in nerd culture is fantastic for people who aren't die hard fans, and this is like a huge compilation of those classic jokes that actually come together to produce a 'Star Trek' episode that doesn't bore you to tears and is actually quite good fun. 'Star Trek' could actually learn a lot from 'Galaxy Quest' because as a story it rivals not only almost all the 'Star Trek' films, but also most space operas, which for a spoof film is going way beyond what's expected from the usually silly plot. You don't even need to like 'Star Trek' to enjoy this, because I sure as hell don't, but this was still fucking hilarious despite never disrespecting its intended subject. In reality I could learn a few tips from this film because I have to rant in order to get recognition rather than relying on good quality entertainment like 'Galaxy Quest' does.
The cast has instantly recognisable names that include the likes of Tim Allen, Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver, so it's no surprise they're brilliant on screen together. Sigourney Weaver in particular is an actress who can always lighten up a sci-fi flick, and here she is again proving that she can also take the piss out of her previous performances as well; doing all this whilst still giving us a believable character to work with. She and the rest of the cast look like they're having a great time, and that's sort of all you need from the cast with any good spoof film. That energy and happiness translated itself into the audience, and I genuinely felt like I was part of this satirical team on a grand adventure. But what I loved the most is that this never undermined the source material, and actually payed homage to 'Star Trek' instead. It's so nice to see a spoof film actually complement the original material really well, although I don't imagine the hardcore 'Trekkies' would be very fond of this lighthearted approach to their beloved franchise, but who in all honesty cares about them? 'Galaxy Quest' is an absolute classic in the spoof genre, and a film that you can watch again and again without ever getting tired of the content.
#8 Blazing Saddles (1974) (7/10)
For the early 70's this was about as offensive as you can get from the relatively tame world of comedy back then. Even by today's standards some of the jokes used here are about as racist as you can get; and I fucking love it for that. In an increasingly PC environment this is such a breath of fresh air that will happily throw around huge issues such as racism and xenophobia without giving a single shit about the consequences. The borderline offensive themes are done in such a lighthearted way that you just don't care about the original intentions, and actually just enjoy some casual racism. I love satirical films when they're done well, and this is satire at its finest. Some of the jokes haven't aged well, and by today's standards may no longer hit the mark like they used to, but that's the risk a director is always willing to take when they have such a satirical production in front of them. Even if you miss the point in much of the humour you can still appreciate what's going on and what the director is trying to achieve, and the majority of jokes work on multiple levels for at least an acceptable amount of laughs.
Yes 'Blazing Saddles' is a childish film in places, makes no sense in others, and lacks the inventive spark that drives revolutionary modern comedies, but as a spoof film this is an excellent parody of the Western genre of films. You have to love just how corny the whole production is, but at it's heart this is a flick that never takes itself seriously and ends up parodying culture in a way that no film had ever dreamt of before. There's a reason why this is considered such a great film, even being nominated for three Oscars, which is almost unheard of in spoof films. At the time of release 'Blazing Saddles' may have received negative to mixed reviews by critics, but years on and it's fondly remembered. This film's impressive legacy is the result of what happens when a gamble pays off big time, years ahead of many in the genre.
#7 Repossessed (1990) (5/10)
I'll happily admit that this is a shit film compared to everything else on the list, but that's all part of why I love it. This is one of those films that's so bad it actually turns out to be a personal favourite of your collection. 'Repossessed' did however get the basics right, and royally mugs off 'The Exorcist' with some hilarious scenes that are actually surprisingly well written. As a technical piece of cinema this film starts to fall apart, but all a spoof film needs is some solid humour and it becomes at least watchable with the target audience; which 'Repossessed' certainly is. I personally found this film to be a spoof that got the comedy elements mostly right, even if some of the jokes aren't instant gold or in anyway clever. In fact if anything this film is more of a haunting reminder of where spoof films would end up in future years, with often an emphasis on poorly timed and poorly worked jokes; only in this film they don't become an irritating bore that overshadows a solid premise.
I can't fault 'Repossessed' for going about the spoof genre the right way either. In fact this film actually stars Linda Blair, who played the original possessed girl in the exorcist. She's great at taking the piss out of her iconic role, and her chemistry with Leslie Nielson, whose possibly the greatest ever actor for spoof films, is again masterful at not taking things seriously; and this is enough to carry the film along nicely. If you stick with 'Repossessed' you'll discover some great material hidden away, and when this film hits the right spot it works a treat. I will never forget the climactic battle which is commentated by Jesse Ventura and Gene Okerlund in a wrestling style bout. That unexpectedly daft moment is genuinely one of my favourite ever cinema moments in terms of sheer lunacy and wit. Then you have The Pope playing guitar for whatever reason in a song so bad that it's almost a whole parody of a film within itself. These two moments sum up this film perfectly for me; absolutely nuts.
#6 Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) (7/10)
'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' is a film far more than just bawdy jokes and crass humour. This is a film that's genuinely entertaining to watch, and perfect for some simple and light entertainment on a Saturday afternoon. If you hated 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves', which you should do, then this is the film for you, as it properly takes the piss out of a production that deserved it whilst restoring a certain sense of style to the legendary character. The final product may not have been a financial success, or even Mel Brooks' finest work for that matter, but this is a fine spoof guaranteed to entertain you for the whole duration. Okay it can be a bit mental at times, but stick with some of the stupid gags even if they aren't side-splittingly funny, because eventually they do reward you with some priceless moments that rival any other decent comedy.
Unlike many spoof films these days this one has a cast that all contribute some great material. The character of Prince John in particular is enthralling to watch, and Robin Hood himself puts in a solid performance that easily carries this lighthearted tale and delivers some good material in the process. In fact Cary Elwes in the leading role might be the best depiction of Robin Hood in cinema history, although that's assuming you don't take his role in anyway seriously. I'm aware that this isn't all comedy gold, nor is it Oscar worthy material, but if you don't mind lowering your standards a little this is a charming film that's a diamond in the rough for the spoof genre.
#5 Airplane (1980) (8/10)
I want to know what the writers of 'Airplane' were smoking. This is the most unpredictable, witty and ludicrous comedy I've seen in some time. Some of the references and gags are so unusual that they make the creators of 'Family Guy' seem like sensible people who actually have a rather boring sense of humour. Somehow this compilation of fuckery still makes perfect sense, which is a testament to the strong script that loves to keep you guessing with its unpredictable style. This is a cheesy, cringey and downright stupid stupid production that also happens to be absolutely hilarious in places. The sheer number of gags written in such a limited time is astonishing, and it's even more amazing that there's only a small minority that will alienate you; and that's a great achievement in a spoof film. There must be a joke at some point for everyone to laugh at, and some of them are so ingeniously constructed that you forget this is about as nonsensical as a film could possibly get. You don't even have to be familiar with the original work for this to hit like a charm, which is a really important trait in a film that parodies just about everything it can lay its hands on.
The cast are some of the greatest talents in comedy combined, and they're all so good together on screen. Each character helps each other to shine in their individual roles, but Leslie Nielson is the one who stands out. He's just brilliant, and was so good that his acting style was completely altered after this film was released; almost becoming an institution in the spoof genre in the process. When you combine the acting and the script you get one of the best combinations in all of comedy. There's no real logic behind any of it, but you get the sense it was written by someone who wants you to have a good time instead of analyse the film like a serious critic. I like that in a lighthearted production such as this, and I especially love some of the jokes that are so out there that even watching it again and again will leave you looking at the film from another comedic angle that you haven't considered the film would try. The comedy working on multiple levels is one of the main reasons why this film has become iconic in the spoof genre, with the only surprise being that this isn't further up the list.
#4 Shaun of the Dead (2004) (8/10)
Well this is a rarity in a spoof film; a production that actually has a damn good plot. It's an original plot as well, unlike anything else on this list, so the fact that this is still a great spoof of the horror genre is a sign that this is a special film. There have been a few examples on this list of how horror and comedy are a hard mixture to pull off, but Simon Pegg and others managed it brilliantly here. There's just the right balance to make this an interesting yet funny adventure, and when you add in the damn good plot it's no surprise that this film has become such a cult favourite over the years. This was a film that decided that the characters should be fleshed out, and have a well paced narrative with a sophisticated script. Rarely does a spoof film actually have serious elements littered throughout the plot, but 'Shaun of the Dead' pulls that off with ease. Yes it's still a funny film at heart, but it has this inventive facade of being a serious piece of cinema, when in reality it's a lighthearted tale that will entertain just about anybody. You almost forget about the great use of satire when watching the various slapstick antics, but if you actually analyse the film from an artistic perspective you start to realise just how intelligent this really is for a spoof. Is this too serious for its own good? Maybe, but I thought it was a damn good film centred around a genre heavily parodied but rarely mastered.
#3 The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad (1988) (8/10)
Leslie Nielsen as the lead role just makes this film. He was brilliant in 'Airplane', but this is where he truly shines as the comic genius that he is now known for. In reality this is very similar to 'Airplane', and that's probably because it's made by the same people. Like 'Airplane' there are five million stupid jokes all told at such a rapid pace that you miss about half of them each time, but there are some absolutely huge zingers that hit with the force of a bomb with every watch. You can watch this parody a hundred times and it will never cease to be entertaining, even to the most veteran of viewers. They may have to degrade their minds to that of a sixteen year old to get the full experience, but that's the whole point of a spoof film. Nielsen is the star as per usual with a comedy like this, but he's also joined by my personal favourite wife killer OJ Simpson and the no longer relevant Priscilla Presley, who both aren't thespians in any way. This combination just shouldn't work, but it does. Not even in a 'so bad it's good' way either, and in fact all the cast are thoroughly entertaining and come together to produce one of the most entertaining films you'll ever see.
#2 Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975) (8/10)
It was a dead heat between this classic and 'The Life of Brian' for the number two spot, but as a spoof I thought 'The Holy Grail' just edged it in terms of how the humour is used to parody folklore. The material used is absurdly brilliant, although that can be said with any Monty Python film, but this film takes that theme to the next level. It's sophisticated yet exuberant with the way it deals with humour, and cares little for social conventions or political correctness. However what I love most of all is that in this film there are some of the most creative gags you can get from some unpredictable and inventive scenes that never let the pace drop for one second. There's a great gag in just about every scene, and that ensures that this film never gets dull or tiring. Unlike most spoof films this one has aged well over the years, which is a sign of just how well written the whole script is.
The superior quality of this film compared to others on this list is telling that this was created by a team of comedians. The deadpan yet lighthearted delivery is perfect for the tone of the film, and from this the film can chuck around the odd serious theme with little purpose or seriousness, fitting the parody perfectly. However they never go over the top like the majority of American parodies on this list, creating a great alternative to the slapstick heavy spoofs over the pond. Yes this film does occasionally go for some ridiculous jokes that appeal to a global audience with how unique they are, which is maybe why it fared so well over the Atlantic. This is a film that deserves its cult status that it's attained over the years as it's rare you will see something so charmingly British that actually delivers in genuine quality as well.
#1 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) (9/10)
'Austin Powers' can easily be summed up by the brilliant performance by Myers who is absolutely hilarious as eccentric spy Austin Powers and also as iconic villain Dr Evil. The fact that the man produced two great performances out of two totally different characters is such a good achievement for a comedy film, and one that he's never replicated since. This is such a great parody that uses the gags to full effect whilst never feeling forced or cheesy. The characters are also constructed so well, with even the minor characters created with such eccentric parameters that allows everyone to be instantly memorable and brilliantly unique. The plot has an uncanny resemblance to the cliches of 1960's James Bond films, which is a good sign that this is a grade A parody of such a popular subject. I love it when films pay homage to classics with as much respect, or rather disregard, like this one does.
The jokes themselves are aimed at a more mature audience, as many are crude, bawdy, and borderline offensive. Personally I love this brash attitude towards comedy, and as a result ninety minutes goes past so quickly when you have mature jokes bombarded at you at lightning pace. But the jokes never feel forced or unnecessary, and in fact the real positive is that they never get in the way of the narrative or feel like they're ruining any key sequences. The top two films on this list have been unmistakably British, and this top one makes fun of that fact. I love watching classic British spies get destroyed, so really this was a parody made specially for people like me. The script is also sublime, with so many brilliantly written lines that are still hilarious to audiences today, and in fact there are so many infamous lines in this film that the only downside apart from the two lacklustre sequels is listening to everyone who still thinks quoting this film is cool. Those wankers can fuck off. They almost ruin a great, great parody.
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