It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
A crazy way to open up the new year with this incredibly long and epic screwball action gold rush comedy. Huge cast all on their own hectic adventure, but since everyone is chasing the same thing, it is easy enough to follow. Despite its massive length, there is barely a dull moment. It is cartoon-like destruction and violence on all cylinders all the way. The amount of chaos and demolition is insane, and way more enjoyable than the present day CGI destruction films. The whole concept behind this film is just crazy and almost unbelievable to imagine, with a comedy action filmed on 70mm in super widescreen. It doesn’t sound like a movie this should exist, but it does. Still, it does shows its length as the madness became somewhat less exciting to follow after 2 hours.
Criterion Challenge 2026 - 16. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Closet Picks
Rating: 4