A small, Middle Age-like nation, whose inhabitants look like Peter Sellers, faces an economical crisis. Their solution? Declare a war on the USA and, once defeated, receive economical help from them. But things go surprisingly wrong when their 'army' 'invades' New York and end up capturing a scientist and his prototype Q-bomb (stronger than the H-bomb), putting them on a winning position on the war.
The movie satirizes the Cold War, using as its driving point the economical help the USA gave to the other countries after WWII (the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine, for example). It also pokes quite fun on the USA/USSR rivalry during the time, as well as war in general.
If not entirely funny, it at least has a funny premise and a interesting development. The film's visual is a showing of its lighthearted tale, and Peter Sellers steals the show, even though he's not as funny as usual. He is one of the few who could successfully pull off multiple roles in a single movie (unfortunately Eddie Murphy is not one of these few, but seems to refuse to realize this).
Its comedy never really works to me, at least not in the 'laughing-out-loud' department; but then, most British comedies tend to have that effect on me (Monty Python being the exception). However, I can see how many would find it very funny, plus it is never boring and always interesting to watch.
It warrants a recommendation; moreover, if you are a fan of British style comedies like the original 'The Ladykillers' then this movie is definitely for you.
The movie satirizes the Cold War, using as its driving point the economical help the USA gave to the other countries after WWII (the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine, for example). It also pokes quite fun on the USA/USSR rivalry during the time, as well as war in general.
If not entirely funny, it at least has a funny premise and a interesting development. The film's visual is a showing of its lighthearted tale, and Peter Sellers steals the show, even though he's not as funny as usual. He is one of the few who could successfully pull off multiple roles in a single movie (unfortunately Eddie Murphy is not one of these few, but seems to refuse to realize this).
Its comedy never really works to me, at least not in the 'laughing-out-loud' department; but then, most British comedies tend to have that effect on me (Monty Python being the exception). However, I can see how many would find it very funny, plus it is never boring and always interesting to watch.
It warrants a recommendation; moreover, if you are a fan of British style comedies like the original 'The Ladykillers' then this movie is definitely for you.