Uniquely Funny and Quite Scary

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2017)

Unique as unique can be. This is probably one of the funniest movies with tons of thought provoking luggage. As I begin, one phrase comes to mind – they just don't make movies like they used to. For one thing, the cost of entertainment hubris is astronomical these days, and there is no way you could see this much star-power in one flick. This astounding cast is spearheaded by the sheer brilliance of Peter Sellers playing three key roles (including the 'evil' Dr. Strangelove); we also have; George C. Scott, playing the unstable General Turgidson; Sterling Hayden steps in as the nutty Jack D. Ripper, and Keenan Wynn as the frightening and somewhat dense Col. Bat Guano. All of these characters are playing a dangerous ping- pong game trying to control the flight-path of Col. Slim Pickens' fully armed B 52. End-result of all these shenanigans is either a safe and quiet earth....or poof. This movie pays real homage to Kubrick's brilliance – "Dr. Strangelove" is a concoction of sidesplitting humor, white-knuckled fear, and the very believable stupidity of the government - all this delivered on a platter of excellent acting and outstanding direction. The story's concept is pure genius. This fable should is amazingly funny, but at the same time it more than hints at a much scarier truth. The story centers around a cat-and-mouse game between powerful entities controlling the destiny of American Bombers. One minute they are sent to attack the U.S.S.R.; the next they are recalled and the next they sent back out. Eventually all strings are pulled beyond the breaking point and momentum takes over. Saddest and scariest of all - are that all the evil doers identified in the movie, the worst-of-the-worst is the government's love of red-tape. Who knows? I would think more so now than ever. I really enjoyed this old movie, and highly recommend it to everyoneespecially toe-scuffing politicians.