HATED IT: Boring, Predictable and Dated

I am shocked I hate it because it's been one of the few comedies on my list that I was told was a "necessity" to view as a film enthusiast. What can I say? It starts off promising with a has been film producer (Zero Mostel) using old women to finance his projects, since he's now just greedy for the cash. Yeah I got that. Gene Wilder is his accountant- nervous, has a lot of scream fits that are similar to Joaquin Phoenix's issues in Joker, but I was more interested in the latter's.
They decide to make a play so bad everyone will Hate it and they can take the money and run. So of course it's about Hitler. A musical. So the concept is somewhat funny. But it feels dated and I didn't laugh once. Perhaps because I really didn't know Zero Mostel's character enough BEFORE they headed into this project, to care that he's just a glutton for cash.

I am a huge fan of Mel Brooks, and Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles are supreme comedy. But this one falls flat. I don't know what's going on half the time BECAUSE I didn't care. The plot lost my interest 10 minutes into the story. It's SUCH a slow start that by the time the highlight of the movie happens (the show of course) I'm browsing my iPhone looking at Instagram and CNN updates.

This sounds SO crass and makes me come off like I only want to watch Adam Sandler movies. That's not the case trust me! I enjoy all forms of comedy, going all the way back to Chaplin. My Man Godfrey, Bringing Up Baby, A Fish Called Wanda, My Cousin Vinny, A League of Their Own, The Philadellphia Story, Naked Gun, Groundhog Day, The Birdcage, Best in Show, Grand Budapest Hotel, etc. But The Producers just felt like a CONCEPT movie. The concept works, but I felt no connection with the characters. Good or bad, you have to make me believe your intentions- even if those intensions are unrealistic.

The outcome is thus predictable and lazy, and even Gene Wilder was getting over the top with his manic episodes.

I will watch the remake with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderwick. I hear some prefer it over the original.

FINALE GRADE: F