Overview"The Kentucky Fried Movie" is a 1977 American comedy movie directed by John Landis. The movie is a collection of brief sketches, the majority of them parodies of tv programs and B films, with the script composed by the funny group of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker who later concerned prominence with "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun".
Plot and StructureThe movie does not include a conventional story or plot, however instead is a series of loosely connected acts or shorts. Each segment is a comedic jab at cultural elements from the 1970s such as commercials, newscasts, martial arts films, disaster movies, and blaxploitation movies. The sectors vary widely in style, with some being uncomplicated parodies, while others are more absurd or surreal. A few of the most memorable segments consist of "Catholic High School Girls in Trouble", a satire of sexploitation films, and "A Fistful of Yen", a prolonged parody of kung fu movies such as "Enter the Dragon".
Stand-out Skit: "A Fistful of Yen"The longest and most memorable sketch, "A Fistful of Yen", follows the story of a Bruce Lee lookalike who infiltrates a criminal mastermind's burrow camouflaged as a religious temple. This piece, lasting nearly half an hour, spoofs martial arts movies popular during the 1970s, typically mimicing their particular modifying design, ridiculous plotlines, and overdramatic efficiencies. Its finale suddenly moves into a parody of "The Wizard of Oz".
Comedic StyleThe comedy throughout "The Kentucky Fried Movie" harks back to the outrageous and risqué sketches and gags that were popular in the 1970s. A number of spoofs self-consciously push the boundaries of taste and propriety, with some heavy emphasis on crude, sexual, and slapstick humor. Not every segment hits the mark, but the high-energy, rapid-fire delivery of the gags manages to keep the audience captivated.
Impact and Influence"The Kentucky Fried Movie" was the advancement for both director John Landis and the Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker writing team. Its success with audiences opened doors for their particular professions in the film market. Together, they went on to develop some of cinema's most unforgettable funnies, consisting of "Animal House", "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun". They successfully established the movie design of rapid-paced, back-to-back gags, puns, and visual humor, paving the way for future spoof comedies.
ConclusionWhile not everyone's cup of tea due to its profane and sometimes repulsive humor, "The Kentucky Fried Movie" stays a prominent comedy. Its humorous take on 1970s popular culture and entertaining parody sketches resonates with numerous audiences, even decades later. Overall, it uses a comedic look into a bygone period and marks an important milestone in the development of the parody genre in movie theater.
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