Have a high appreciation for comedy and try to at least appreciate every kind of it. Some of my favourites actually, whether animated or not and film and television, are comedies. The witty and sophisticated types especially, also the physical sight gag driven ones. The broad types can work too, depending on how the execution is. With exceptions of course, am less of a fan of the crude type, which tend to veer on mean-spirited distaste.
Buster Keaton was and still is a big influence for the genre and cinema overall, and one of the greats. Anybody who has yet to see any of his work really should do so, one won't see anything quite like him or his work. Make sure though it's his silent films, shorts and feature, the transition to sound didn't/doesn't do him justice. His comic timing, his physical dexterity, his charm, how fearless he was in such ahead-of-the-time bold set pieces, his unique and unrivalled ability in making deadpan interesting and remarkably expressive all made for a genius of his craft.
Admittedly he did go on to even better things than 'The High Sign', where the material was even funnier, the physical comedy more imaginative and dangerous, the production values more technically advanced (some of his best, like 'The General', were achievements in this regard) and Keaton's "Great Stone Face" acting style more refined and distinctive. That sounds like this reviewer dislikes it. Not at all, actually loved it a lot and admire it greatly, just said all of this in comparison to his later work.
For his first independent film, the high quality for so early on is pretty staggering. The plot is very slight (even for a Keaton film) and a bit of a slow starter, others have said to forget it and as harsh as that sounds that's good advice.
So much in 'The High Sign' works brilliantly though. It looks good, not ground-breaking but it is hardly cheap and holds up quite well. Although there are funnier Keaton efforts, where the gags are more in quantity and even better than very amusing, there isn't a misfire in the humour and personally had a smile on my face the whole time. It's all beautifully timed and there is a real charm here too. The last portion is where 'The High Sign' is at its best, both hilarious and inventive and elevates the film significantly.
Keaton's physical comedy leaves one in awe, both in the stunts themselves and how Keaton executes them, with such perfect timing and dexterity seldom seen today in comedy. Deadpan has never been more expressive or nuanced than with Keaton, he was a true original in this regard and that can be seen here.
Altogether, highly impressive. 9/10
Buster Keaton was and still is a big influence for the genre and cinema overall, and one of the greats. Anybody who has yet to see any of his work really should do so, one won't see anything quite like him or his work. Make sure though it's his silent films, shorts and feature, the transition to sound didn't/doesn't do him justice. His comic timing, his physical dexterity, his charm, how fearless he was in such ahead-of-the-time bold set pieces, his unique and unrivalled ability in making deadpan interesting and remarkably expressive all made for a genius of his craft.
Admittedly he did go on to even better things than 'The High Sign', where the material was even funnier, the physical comedy more imaginative and dangerous, the production values more technically advanced (some of his best, like 'The General', were achievements in this regard) and Keaton's "Great Stone Face" acting style more refined and distinctive. That sounds like this reviewer dislikes it. Not at all, actually loved it a lot and admire it greatly, just said all of this in comparison to his later work.
For his first independent film, the high quality for so early on is pretty staggering. The plot is very slight (even for a Keaton film) and a bit of a slow starter, others have said to forget it and as harsh as that sounds that's good advice.
So much in 'The High Sign' works brilliantly though. It looks good, not ground-breaking but it is hardly cheap and holds up quite well. Although there are funnier Keaton efforts, where the gags are more in quantity and even better than very amusing, there isn't a misfire in the humour and personally had a smile on my face the whole time. It's all beautifully timed and there is a real charm here too. The last portion is where 'The High Sign' is at its best, both hilarious and inventive and elevates the film significantly.
Keaton's physical comedy leaves one in awe, both in the stunts themselves and how Keaton executes them, with such perfect timing and dexterity seldom seen today in comedy. Deadpan has never been more expressive or nuanced than with Keaton, he was a true original in this regard and that can be seen here.
Altogether, highly impressive. 9/10