“Blazing Saddles” was officially released in 1974. (same year The Godfather Part II came out) It received praise from critics and movie goers alike. In 2006, the Library of Congress included the western spoof for preservation in the National Film Registry. Keanu Reeves (one of my favorite actors) stated Blazing Saddles is one of his favorite movies. Barack Obama mentioned he saw it as a kid.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. Blazing Saddles has been referenced countless times in other works and became a source of memes.
Top & Bottom Qualities
Top: Mel Brooks did an excellent job directing. He also co-wrote the script with Richard Pryor. Don’t forget Mr. Brooks plays the Governor of Rock Ridge.
Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman & Madeline Khan all did an outstanding job for their funny as heck performances.
Fun Fact: John Wayne was considered for the role as The Waco Kid. He turned it down.
Humor is filled with surreal moments, fourth wall breaking, visual gags and risqué jokes. There’s a ton of racist dialogue. If you’re Leftist who’s easily offended, this movie might not be your cup of tea. As for me, I handled it like a chap without being offended. I’m defending Mel’s vision for two reasons. First, he mocks the Old West, because it wasn’t fun to live back then. Racism was wrong then and it’s wrong now. Second, Mr. Pryor said it was alright to write racial humor. He understood how people used to live in the Old West back then. Again, it wasn’t fun.
Cinematography didn’t succumb to technical issues.
A Fart Scene with Tagget’s men eating nothing but beans made me laugh hysterically. Besides the aforementioned fart joke, I lost it when Mongo literally punches a horse. I even recreated Mongo’s attack in “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Pacing didn’t take forever going from one scene to the next.
My favorite line is this bit. “Mongo Santa Maria!”
Taggert’s voice inspired John DiMaggio’s voiceover performance as Bender from “Futurama.”
Mongo, the dim-witted giant later inspired another Mongo from “Shrek 2.”
Don DeLuise makes a brief appearance as a director filming a musical. “The French Mistake” pretty much sums up Dylan Mulvaney’s theme song as the spokesperson for Bud Light. Kid Rock got pissed shooting them beer cans. Anheuser-Busch lost $27 billion for hiring an embarrassment to trans people. I find Dylan’s behavior troubling like a performer wearing blackface. If this keeps happening, many employees will get laid off.
Near the end, everybody roams the Warner Bros.’ set. Can you imagine walking down the street witnessing an absurd moment with actors fleeing the set wearing their costumes?
If you own a DVD/Blu-Ray, Mel provides commentary reflecting on making the movie.
Bottom: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Mel and his crew an Extra Point for making a flawless spoof as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Blazing Saddles is one of Mel Brooks’ best works. I consider “Spaceballs” as his magnum opus. If you’re looking for something to make you laugh so hard, Blazing Saddles will crack you up.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 