The Magnificent Two

There are not many reviews about this film and 2 thirds of them are poor, one who calls it drivel !!

It is actually very funny, particularly the physical side of it, and the dialogue is good, its a bit of a cross between 'The Magnificent Seven' (where it gets its mocking title) and 'Carry On Cowboy', it does mock the former film, but not in a direct way, apart from the title, Eric & Ernie bounce off each other well and the other actors pick up the slack, its not the best film, and just as good as their previous 2, but certainly not rubbish like some are making bit out to be, its a daft comedy from 2 comedians, what do they want 'Schindler's List'?

So ignore the negative reviewers, take a look, if you like physical comedy, with a bit of good dialogue, this might be right up your street, and even if it doesn't get you in stitches, your time will not be wasted.

Let me say right from the start that I am a big, big Morecambe and Wise fan and have been ever since I was a kid. I'd heard that their features were but pale shadows of their TV work but even thus forewarned I was shocked by the total lack of humor in this film. THE MAGNIFICENT TWO is clearly meant to be something like the Hope and Crosby ROAD movies and I can't think of two comics who could have carried it off better than Eric and Ernie --- like Bob and Bing, they relied much on spirited ad-libs and spontaneity to earn their laughs, but this movie saddles them with a dreadfully humorless script which they seemed to follow like leaden zombies. Let me give you an example of what this movie's creators thought was funny: Eric and Ernie have an argument with their mouths so stuffed with food you can't hear what they're saying. Laugh? You'll never start. The only reason I gave THE MAGNIFICENT TWO two stars instead of only one is out of respect for the boys. Check out their stuff on YouTube. They were funny, funny men.

I remember seeing this movie as a child with my brothers and sisters sometime in the 80's and we loved it. We were all already very familiar with their comedy series and were elated when we heard that they were in this movie. What made it so memorable was the plot itself. Really simple and straight forward, quirky and funny. Then there is the contrast between the two main characters and their Latin American co characters. It simply flowed and it worked very very well. It had some slapstick, subtle puns, and a few delightful stunts. Ahaaaaaaaaaaa! lest I forget to mention that there is something for the kids as well. It reminds me of 'The three amigos' and is just as funny. It was meant to be light comedy and the producers pulled it off excellently.

I'm your regularly dude from Japan, grown up with different parents from different countries; my Dad from England, my Mom from Japan.

My Dad has often ordered much British-related comedies, sitcoms, drama, skits, shows, etc., and Morcambe and Wise have been GOLD! I've been a fan of their's since seeing "That Rivera Tough" (1966), and wonderful underrated rom-com that just is all-round funny with it's great story-line, the two lead characters (of course played by Morcambe & Wise), the funny lines, the funny scenes, the serious lines, the serious scenes, the grand finale, and the pay off just work WELL together! I want to ask a favor from ANYONE to show this movie on the air on live TV, because it definitely deserves more attention! (Way funnier than "Dr. Strangelove," "Airplane!", or "Dumb and Dumber.")

And we also own a VHS called "The Best Years of Morcambe & Wise", which I've watched about 1,000 times now, and just love reciting all the hilarious lines, scenes, and jokes. (A lot of which you can see on YouTube). Comedy coming from these two men was just always FUN!

But The Magnificent Two... just didn't work. I mean, I saw this film just recently on YouTube, I didn't know Morcambe and Wise made more films after "That Rivera Touch", but I was surprised to find out anyway.

I usually don't like films about "Mexico" or "drugs" or "mafias" - and this film proves exactly that. The story I thought was dumb, the idea dumb, and the ending scene was all-round REALLY dumb. I got the idea why these women were to disturb these bad guys by stripping down to their underwear, but....... WHEN did the creative & innovative Morcambe and Wise turn into Benny Hill??? I never saw them use sexual innuendos on their shows, or skits. I mean, it was used a bit in "That Rivera Touch", but it wasn't out of nowhere, and it worked within the story.

I love Eric Morcambe and Ernie Wise, but not "The Magnificent Two" - "That Rivera Touch" is a lot better. Check it out.

4/10

Morecambe & Wise were just short of their seventies peak on TV when they made their unfortunate foray into films; of which 'The Magnificent Two' was last and least.

Offering up that old chestnut about a comedian being a dead ringer for a VIP and that assorted bad people are out for his blood. Most of this is as funny as ringworm; but the finale (SLIGHT SPOILER COMING:):when the female revolutionaries unveil their secret weapon rewards your patience.