Comedy is the genre for those who want to escape without recurring to horror or Sci-Fi. Most of us like to laugh, and not just a little giggle, a laugh that produces tears in the end. There are subgenres of comedy that are romantic, slightly dramatic, farcical, and even full of dark humor. All of these are created with the purpose of bringing a smile to our face. But the reason why there are so many kinds of comedy is because people laugh at different things. Laughter brings us together yet sets us apart.
The following absurd comedies will make you laugh at weird and nonsensical situations.
Mutant Action (1993) — Álex de la Iglesia
Spanish director Álex de la Iglesia’s feature debut occurs in a post apocalyptic world full of mutants that are marginalized and treated with disdain by the jet-setting regular people. It’s the story of a poor mutant boy that kidnaps the daughter of a millionaire for ransom. The humor that entails the situations is unique to this filmmaker who describes himself as a “fat son of a bitch obsessed with tits and asses.” This fun film will surely keep you entertained the whole time.
What we do in the shadows (2014) – Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clementine
This fictional documentary is one of the best comedies to be released in recent years. The New Zealand production follows a group of vampires living in modern times. The performances are pretty good and the writing is so well done that the story unravels in a seamless flow. The directors, aside from penning the script, also play two of the main characters. The special effects are funny, not because they’re bad, but because they are comedic elements. Every aspect plays a part in laughing at the attempts of these bloodsuckers of having a regular life.
Black Dynamite (2009) — Scott Sanders
This film features one cliché after the next, pertinent to the American films from the seventies and eighties. The title character is black, has an afro and mustache, a misogynist who practices Kung-Fu, went to Vietnam, and is a former CIA agent. Imagine if Shaft had a child with Chuck Norris and Hugh Hefner. This action packed comedy has a bit of drama, martial arts, and noire elements. There is enough physical, situational, racial, macho, and over the top comedy to make the politically correct disappear.
Norwegian Ninja (2010) – Thomas Cappelen Malling
During the days of the Cold War, every country played its hand at espionage and counterespionage by picking the side they thought fit their interests best. This film follows the point of view of a task force of ninja spies, trained on an island in ways to counteract the strategies of both the former Soviet Union and the United States, as well as their nuclear missiles. Though at times this story can come off as serious and dark, it’s anything but that. It plays out in a similar fashion to Inglorious Basterds or Dr. Strangelove, where the plot takes you on tangent situations that make you think for a moment that you’re not watching a comedy only to then deliver an unexpected punch line. It creates tension so that blasphemous and nonsensical situations will make you burst with laughter.
Young Frankenstein (1974) – Mel Brooks
This is one of the top parodies by the legendary Brooks. The filmmaker was requested to film in black and white in order to give it the aesthetics of the classic movies. This reimagining of Shelley’s Frankenstein features the grandson of the original doctor, who is ashamed of the myths and legends surrounding his last name, family and creations. But like the other works of this director, the story does not take itself too seriously while providing humor that everyone will enjoy. This parody is a total masterpiece.
Comedians say they make people laugh at the saddest and most depressing things. Creating entire films devoted to this can be a handful, but regardless of which subgenre of comedy you choose, do so with a willingness to laugh, relax, and not take things too seriously. Laugh at a joke even if it’s a bad one. Laugh with your entire body at life, even at yourself. Life is made up of funny situations that filmmakers recreate on the big screen. Get your friends together to enjoy a comedy and get ready to laugh all night.
Translated by María Suárez
