There’s certainly no way I would own this movie if not for the fact that it is included in the Mel Brooks Boxed Set.
But, because the Boxed Set exists, Men In Tights - one of Mel Brooks’ great misfires - sits upon my DVD shelf. It’s a horrible movie. A sad entry from a once great filmmaker.
Still, I get the urge to watch it about once a year. The jokes are bad. Not only bad, but entirely predictable- then delivered in the hammiest over-the-top kind of way. I don’t blame the horrible delivery on those speaking the lines- the cast is filled with talent. The hammy delivery is so uniform from one actor to the next, that it feels like every actor had a line-reading imposed upon him by Mr. Brooks. And really, the jokes are so horrible that even this talented cast couldn’t have done much with the material.
What is there to like about it? Really not much, but the likability is sufficient that I fully enjoy my once a year viewing.
Much of it must have to do with Cary Elwes. Cary Elwes is GREAT in this movie. Perfect casting here- unlike some Robin Hoods, he can speak with a British accent.
Also, Roger Rees as the Sheriff of Rottingham is awesome, as he is in everything he does (he turned in performances in one of my all time favorite recurring Guest Star characters on The West Wing).
The actor who played Little John was great. The actor who played Will Scarlet O’Hara was great (who, although he hasn’t done much, curiously just a few years later he played Robin Hood in a TV series that I’ve never seen).
Dave Chappelle wasn’t put to good use. With as funny and talented as he is, something worthwhile could have been done here. Unfortunately, not much came of it.
Richard Lewis gave exactly the performance he was hired to give, but I think Mel Brooks’ entire concept for Prince John was completely misguided.
Still, a once a year viewing always proves entirely enjoyable. Major credit goes to Elwes and Rees.