Takes a while to warm up, with an awful lot of try-hard misses early on, but eventually hits a reasonable gag rate. It’s no Airplane or Naked Gun, but there are plenty worse spoof movies.
I know I'm not in the majority here, and I've watched Airplane about a dozen times, but I find Top Secret way funnier. Or do I? Top Secret is definitely dumber -in a good way-, sillier and unapologetical about it. It's also quite Montypython-esque at times (cow in boots, anyone?).
Don't compare them, just watch it for what it is, you'll laugh your ass off.
I love how these filmmakers can take such advantage of the medium. They are able to make jokes that only work within the context of a movie, and push that artistry to its full extent. I also love the adherence to spy movie tropes and the blending of 40s, 60s, and 80s cultural pastiche. Unfortunately some of the humor does not hit, and missed jokes have a tendency to undermine a comedy.
What's Top Secret!'s slogan? Don't tell anyone? Well, okay, don't tell anyone, but I don't really jive to parody films in the style of Airplane, Naked Gun, et al. Or at least, I haven't in a long time. Probably thought it was very funny as a kid or young adult, but now I just sit there stoned-faced, predicting what the next gag should be, and only really appreciating the surreal absurdist sequences, like say, the underwater fight, while wincing at the occasional off-color humor. Top Secret! has one other thing going against it. It bugs me that it can't decide what time period it's supposed to take place in and doesn't seem to know a damn thing about East Germany. It starts as a Cold War spy story, but the Germans act like Nazis, and by the end, we're really doing World War II gags, but with a 1950's rock'n'roller as the lead (the modern anachronisms I at least expect from this type of film). It worked well enough as a spoof that I didn't want it to betray its world (silly as it was) for the sake of parodying specific films, especially when it made them cross genres. I'm sorry guys...
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Comments 1 - 15 of 15
AMarques
Not in the same league as Aeroplane.badblokebob
Takes a while to warm up, with an awful lot of try-hard misses early on, but eventually hits a reasonable gag rate. It’s no Airplane or Naked Gun, but there are plenty worse spoof movies.Great performance by Daisy the cow.
Cadeicus
Actually really liked this one. Thought it was going to be a crappy version of Airplane or something, but it was really worth the watch. Really funny.The underwater scene was amazing!
Kinchski
Not amazing, but worth watching for ultra-young Val Kilmer shakin' and jivin' - the dance scene is absurdly hilarious!sureup
It's ok..dfscha1402
I'll miss you most of all Scarecrow!Cynicus Rex
A pleasant surprise.GodPepper
I know I'm not in the majority here, and I've watched Airplane about a dozen times, but I find Top Secret way funnier. Or do I? Top Secret is definitely dumber -in a good way-, sillier and unapologetical about it. It's also quite Montypython-esque at times (cow in boots, anyone?).Don't compare them, just watch it for what it is, you'll laugh your ass off.
SkilledLunatic
Good music, (some) great visual gags and a really good performance by Val Kilmer make this an enjoyable experience. If you like this sort of humor.mcmakattack
I love how these filmmakers can take such advantage of the medium. They are able to make jokes that only work within the context of a movie, and push that artistry to its full extent. I also love the adherence to spy movie tropes and the blending of 40s, 60s, and 80s cultural pastiche. Unfortunately some of the humor does not hit, and missed jokes have a tendency to undermine a comedy.patato
i love it!jktomas
Great comedy!Siskoid
What's Top Secret!'s slogan? Don't tell anyone? Well, okay, don't tell anyone, but I don't really jive to parody films in the style of Airplane, Naked Gun, et al. Or at least, I haven't in a long time. Probably thought it was very funny as a kid or young adult, but now I just sit there stoned-faced, predicting what the next gag should be, and only really appreciating the surreal absurdist sequences, like say, the underwater fight, while wincing at the occasional off-color humor. Top Secret! has one other thing going against it. It bugs me that it can't decide what time period it's supposed to take place in and doesn't seem to know a damn thing about East Germany. It starts as a Cold War spy story, but the Germans act like Nazis, and by the end, we're really doing World War II gags, but with a 1950's rock'n'roller as the lead (the modern anachronisms I at least expect from this type of film). It worked well enough as a spoof that I didn't want it to betray its world (silly as it was) for the sake of parodying specific films, especially when it made them cross genres. I'm sorry guys...Deus
Insane))))GioCool
agreed