In brief, one of the most delightful musical comedies ever made. The original was of course terrific, but this one easily surpasses it, largely on the strength of the performances turned in by Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. Broderick touches on genius in this movie. Lane starts with genius and then leaps into some kind of interstellar supergenius. Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach and Roger Bart are also all surprisingly funny in their roles as well. And the scene of Lane wooing the little old ladies is quite simply one of the all-time high points for Hollywood. Then the scene in the prison cell comes along and Lane single-handedly sets a new standard. The singing and dancing are all top-notch, and the whole thing tied together is one of the best ways to spend 90 minutes I can possibly imagine. This one climbs up to the ethereal heights of such Hollywood wonders as "Victor/Victoria" and "The Music Man" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." This is probably the very last really funny, witty, entertaining musical Hollywood will ever produce. If it weren't for the determination of a rapidly-aging Mel Brooks, it wouldn't have happened. I'm glad I saw Hollywood's last hurrah before it sinks forever into the depths.
Review of The Producers
