The Marx Brothers at their best, and that's saying something

Rating: 10/10 (10 July 2003)

Duck Soup is a comedic masterpiece. In fact, I'm going to come out and say right now that the Marx Brothers are the greatest comedians in cinematic history. You can argue if you want, you're wrong. No one can craft comedy like the Marx Bros. and they unfortunatly are not getting their due with the younger generations. Duck Soup is probably their best film. The jokes come fast and furious and you never stop laughing. All Marx Bros. movies have many trademarks and each brother plays essentially the same character in every film. You may think that would get old but it doesn't. Marx Bros. movies have little in the way of plot but that's ok because it isn't needed. All the Brothers need is a setting and they wreak havoc wherever they are. Margaret Dumont is the romantic foil for Groucho in several of their movies and she does a fine job here. In case you were never blessed with seeing one of their films, Groucho is the master of the put down and his quick wit is unmatched, Harpo is the mute trickster, Chico the scheming Italian, and Zeppo the handsome straight man. All of the Marx Brothers were very musically talented and show off their talents in all of their films. Bottom Line: if you haven't seen any of the Marx Brothers movies, see this one first and then go and see them all. And then buy them all. You won't regret it.