Don't get me wrong, Buster Keaton fans. Although I do love "The General" considered one of the greatest comedies of all time, I find "Three Ages" far more dynamic, funny, interesting and way better than 1926's classic.
Keaton's target here is love and its definition in a humored and simple presentation. He takes us through three different eras in history to show the challenges a romantic man (all played by Buster) has to go through while fighting for the woman of his dreams (Margaret Leahy), the one he truly loves. The story of love is presented in a Pre-Historic period, then at the Roman Empire and last in the present day at the time of the movie's release, 1920's. It's the same issue presented again and again, just the problems that vary a little. Love, l'amour, amor: all we need in times of need, greed and speed. It was the goal back at millions of years ago, still is in our current time and always will be in future times.
I admire "Three Ages" for its intelligence, a movie that directly or indirectly was the source of inspiration of many posterior films, successful or not. This is like Bill Forsyth's "Being Human" but with humor; and just like "History of the World - Part I" but only about love's evolution. Can we say that the famous feud between McFly and Tannen through three different periods are somewhat similar than this film? Yes, I think so. Keaton fights against Wallace Beery in all the historic periods just like Michael J. Fox will deal with Thomas F. Wilson in 1955, 1985 and 2015 in Zemeckis classic.
Forget all this conjectures; let us focus on the content. It's funny and gets funnier by the minute. Hilarious moments that can be found here are the priceless chariot race where Keaton uses of his geniality to win the race; his "friendship" with a lion that was supposed to eat him; the amazing stunts he pulls in the final moments of the last segment jumping between buildings; his fighting schemes to defeat his cavemen enemies. Everything is so well made that is impossible not feel something with it. And there's a good and amusing discussion of what love really is and how its concept changes just a little with time and evolution (the very last moment explains it all).
Gotta love this funny and precious gem. 10/10
Keaton's target here is love and its definition in a humored and simple presentation. He takes us through three different eras in history to show the challenges a romantic man (all played by Buster) has to go through while fighting for the woman of his dreams (Margaret Leahy), the one he truly loves. The story of love is presented in a Pre-Historic period, then at the Roman Empire and last in the present day at the time of the movie's release, 1920's. It's the same issue presented again and again, just the problems that vary a little. Love, l'amour, amor: all we need in times of need, greed and speed. It was the goal back at millions of years ago, still is in our current time and always will be in future times.
I admire "Three Ages" for its intelligence, a movie that directly or indirectly was the source of inspiration of many posterior films, successful or not. This is like Bill Forsyth's "Being Human" but with humor; and just like "History of the World - Part I" but only about love's evolution. Can we say that the famous feud between McFly and Tannen through three different periods are somewhat similar than this film? Yes, I think so. Keaton fights against Wallace Beery in all the historic periods just like Michael J. Fox will deal with Thomas F. Wilson in 1955, 1985 and 2015 in Zemeckis classic.
Forget all this conjectures; let us focus on the content. It's funny and gets funnier by the minute. Hilarious moments that can be found here are the priceless chariot race where Keaton uses of his geniality to win the race; his "friendship" with a lion that was supposed to eat him; the amazing stunts he pulls in the final moments of the last segment jumping between buildings; his fighting schemes to defeat his cavemen enemies. Everything is so well made that is impossible not feel something with it. And there's a good and amusing discussion of what love really is and how its concept changes just a little with time and evolution (the very last moment explains it all).
Gotta love this funny and precious gem. 10/10