The General

Title: The General
Year: 1927
Country: USA
Director: Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton 
Producer: Buster Keaton & Joseph M. Schenck 
Genre: Comedy, Romance, & War 
Runtime: 80 minutes 
Viewed: July 17, 2015 

Review: So, obviously if you are following my journey you will notice that I took a bit of a hiatus. It wasn't intentional, but life got busy and I hate sileny films. The combination of those two scenarios makes for the perfect storm. I actually watched this movie back in August of 2014, but failed to 1) pay attention and 2) blog about it, so I rewatched. I enjoy Buster Keaton, he is a funny guy. However, it doesn't change my opinion that I really wish there was audible speaking parts. I know, I know, film wouldn't be where it is today had we not gone through this phase of cinema, but I am grateful we are where we are instead of stuck in silent films. 

Now, the movie itself, it definitely is a comedy. The book stated that it, "may be counted among the finest (and funniest) in cinema's entire comic output." I am not sure I would necessarily agree, while I did chuckle a few times, it didn't have me rolling on the floor. It is very much what I was raised to understand "slap-stick" comedy, reminds me a lot of The Three Stooges. Buster Keaton is of course his silly self, just as we have come to love him previously. He has two loves, a woman and a train. I think my favorite parts of the movie were when he is being pushed by the train trying to get a piece of wood out of the way of the track, when he is sliding down the mountain to try to get back to his girl and train, and lastly, my favorite of all was when he has his uniform on and is standing so proud and goofy looking. I imagine that if it were today he would have said something about how swag he looks. 

This is definitely a family safe movie, if your kids can sit through a silent film. There is enough I think to keep probably 4 and up entertained. I should let my nephew (if you remember him from one of the other reviews) watch it and see what he thinks. 

As a side note and I'm honestly surprised I didn't see this earlier, how much do Buster Keaton and Jimmy Fallon look alike? 

Rating: 
2.5 Shamrocks 

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