By Daniel Brierley · November 1, 2014
William Goldman said ‘In Hollywood, no-one knows anything.’ And while that might be true in some respects (why won’t they buy my sci-fi reggae love story?) they do know that the public loves a good ol’ comedy!
It’s the biggest hitter in the box office and over the years we’ve seen some fantastic rib-ticklers, from Anchorman to Zoolander. So how does this year shape up? Let’s take a look at the top 10 Comedies of 2014!
10. A Million Ways to Die in the West
Seth MacFarlane is like comedy Marmite – you either love him or you think he’s a disgusting yeast-based spread. ‘A Million..’ sees Seth as a lowly sensitive sheep farmer in the rough Wild West who loses his girl (Amanda Seyfried) to a show stealing Neil Patrick Harris, but then meets and falls in love with Charlize Theron. Naturally. There are some genuinely brilliant vignettes, especially when Sarah Silverman is onscreen. Writer/Director Seth’s still working on his acting, which can be unintentionally hilarious, but a solid script and stellar cast help him along.
8. Inbetweeners 2
Another outing for the UK’s favourite adolescents – who shows no signs of growing up, despite now being at College. Gross out comedy, slapstick and much embarrassment for the four boys as they head to Australia, under the premise of some Gap-year related antics. Written and directed by the TV show creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, it will be interesting to see how well this does Stateside because the first movie made a staggering £41.8m in the UK, and if this does equally well, expect a slew of sequels to see the boys all the way up to retirement age.
7. 22 Jump Street
After the box office smash of ’21,’ it’s no surprise that Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back undercover in this sequel – the only surprise is that it’s actually pretty damn funny, even if it doesn’t stray far from the formulaic. In this outing, like the last one, they are posing as college students investigating drug use on campus, but Tatum unwittingly finds himself fulfilling the dream of playing pro Football, while Hill is busy unlocking his inner street poet. At times it can be achingly self aware, but Ice Cube steals the show, in buffet-smashing form throughout.
6. Muppets Most Wanted
Ricky Gervais is the star turn as the Muppets get caught up in the high stakes world of international jewel thieves and Kermit imposters, forcing them on the run. And Muppets running is hilarious! Seriously, how do they even walk? With a cast list that’s a Who’s Who of Comedy (Ty Burrel, Tina Fey,, Zach Galifianakis) and cameos from Lady Gaga, Christopher Waltz, Celine Dion and Salma Hayek- this Muppet reboot is full of charm and sparkling wit!
5. They Came Together
Anything with Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd is going to be funny, right? This send-up of romantic comedy tropes, which sets up Poehler and Rudd as rival business owners can sometimes be a little too subtle for its own good – some audiences haven’t cottoned onto the spoof nature of the film and been left disappointed. The Rom-Com is a fantastic, underrated genre and in fact it’s the dazzling chemistry between the co-stars that transcends the ‘Airplane’ level gags and turns them into something special.
4. Obvious Child
Jenny Slate (Parks and Rec, SNL) stars in this offbeat story of a stand up comic who decides to have an abortion, which wowed audiences at Sundance. The debut film of writer/director Gillian Robespierre (awesome name), it handles a sensitive subject with maturity and genuine wit and style. And threatens to turn Slate into a stand-out star.
3. Neighbors
Zac Effron has clearly seen what a bit of comedy did for Channing Tatum and stars in this odd couple mash up alongside Seth Rogan, as the leader of a rowdy frat that move next door to a couple (Rogan and Rose Byrne) who are looking to start a new life with their newborn child. Hilarity does ensue as Effron and Rogan wage campaigns against each other, leaving Byrne a little underused.
2. Birdman
A washed up superhero actor gets his big comeback is the very Meta tagline for this flick, as ex-Batman star Michael Keaton returns to our screens as actor Riggan Thomson, who played Birdman 20 years ago. Straddling the heavily patrolled border territory between hilarity and tragedy, this isn’t easy viewing, but it is compelling. Watching Keaton walking through Time Square in his underwear is one of the best shots you’ll see this year. Seriously. See it for that alone.
1. Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson’s films are always funny and stylish and this is no exception. Ralph Fiennes shows his comedy chops off as Gustave, a legendary concierge. Yes, they exist. Gustave must deal with a madcap collection of guests, as well as the theft of a priceless Renaissance painting and the usual Wes Anderson dysfunctional – family fights. Mixing visual trickery with subtle philosophical reflection this could be Anderson’s best film yet. And the supporting cast aint bad either: Wes’ regulars Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Jude Law, Adrien Brody, Willem Defoe, Jeff Goldblum… the list goes on and on. It’s easier to say who’s not in the film. I’m not, you’re not, neither’s Arnie. But Owen Wilson is. Obviously.
Renee Stock · November 1, 2014
