There are some things we know well to expect from a Buster Keaton film. 'The three ages,' if distinct from his other pictures in its structure and particulars of content, nonetheless bears the same qualities. The humor is built on sight gags, physical comedy, situational humor, and upended expectations. With the narrative split into tableaus of The Stone Age and the Roman Empire, in addition to "modern" 1920s culture, there are also anachronisms employed to lend to the amusement. Rarely "laugh out loud" funny, the movie is entertaining all the same, as Keaton unfailingly achieved throughout his career.
The film surprises with some unexpected (if crude) stop motion animation, and instances of sharp camerawork that feels advanced for 1923. Set design and costume design is pretty outstanding - not so much for the Stone Age, perhaps, but certainly for the Modern Era, and above all for the Roman Empire. As 'The three ages' intones in a brief prologue, the feature is a cheeky examination of the constancy of love and courtship across time. As such, while details differ from one tableau to the next, the narrative is largely the same in each, and we get three different variations of the same themes. With that in mind, scenes are written very well, sufficiently distinguishable as to paint over the broad strokes of similarity. Everyone in the cast does a great job of realizing their trio of characters with all due exaggerated body language and facial expression, and earnest communication of emotion.
Even compared to Keaton's other short films and full-length features, 'The three ages' feels extra silly, and absurd to the point of straining credulity. Yet in all fairness, there is no intent or pretense otherwise, and the movie only ever aims for over the top fun. With a few especially endearing moments along the way, the picture certainly succeeds to that end. It's surely not as strong as many of Keaton's other classics, and arguably less engaging than other titles with a single plotline but worth checking out all the same if one has the opportunity.
The film surprises with some unexpected (if crude) stop motion animation, and instances of sharp camerawork that feels advanced for 1923. Set design and costume design is pretty outstanding - not so much for the Stone Age, perhaps, but certainly for the Modern Era, and above all for the Roman Empire. As 'The three ages' intones in a brief prologue, the feature is a cheeky examination of the constancy of love and courtship across time. As such, while details differ from one tableau to the next, the narrative is largely the same in each, and we get three different variations of the same themes. With that in mind, scenes are written very well, sufficiently distinguishable as to paint over the broad strokes of similarity. Everyone in the cast does a great job of realizing their trio of characters with all due exaggerated body language and facial expression, and earnest communication of emotion.
Even compared to Keaton's other short films and full-length features, 'The three ages' feels extra silly, and absurd to the point of straining credulity. Yet in all fairness, there is no intent or pretense otherwise, and the movie only ever aims for over the top fun. With a few especially endearing moments along the way, the picture certainly succeeds to that end. It's surely not as strong as many of Keaton's other classics, and arguably less engaging than other titles with a single plotline but worth checking out all the same if one has the opportunity.