It is the late 18th century, the age of reason … Wednesday. An unspecific European town is under siege by the Turks. This siege has been going on for some time and the town is in a dreary state of affairs. But still, on the brink of destruction, the people attempt to divert themselves by taking in a show at the theater. The subject of this production is the same as the cause of the war going on outside: Baron Munchausen.
The story goes: While a guest of the Sultan, the Baron won a wager with him and took all the Turks’ royal treasure. Angered by his loss, the Sultan attempted to kill the Baron. When the Baron escaped, the Sultan began the war with his home town.
Back in the theater, what the audience members, and the cast as well, don’t expect is a cameo appearance by the real Baron. As far as the public is concerned, Baron Munchausen is a myth, a man who travels to the island of cheese and escapes from the bellies of giant sea monsters. But this is not entirely true. The Baron does do all these things, but he is about as much myth as a lion is a vegetarian.
Just as outrageous as the Baron himself are his four servants. Each of these men has a super enhanced ability. One can run super fast. One is super strong. One has super sight. And the last has super hearing and breath.
Mason: They sound like rejects from the X-men.
Josh: Shut up.
Unfortunately, the Baron has lost these men along his journeys. He declares to the town that he will journey to find his lost companions, and when they return, they will defeat the Turks. Thus saving the town, yea.
“The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” is a film that deals with the struggle to define myth and reality. Thanks to director Terry Gilliam, this is done in about the funniest and surrealistic way possible. For those of you wondering who Terry Gilliam is, some of his other films include “12 Monkeys,” “The Fisher King,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” He’s just plain weird, but he makes great movies.
Gilliam is also notorious for incredible casts. “Munchausen” fits the bill with such names as Robin Williams, Uma Thurman, Eric Idle, Jonathan Pryce and Sting.
Mason: Any movie with Sting in it is cool.
Josh: I liked the midget guy. Any movie that has a midget with superhuman hearing and super breath is OK in my book.
By far the coolest character in the film was the Moon King, played by Robin Williams. Made in 1989, “Munchausen” captures Williams at the peak of his career while he was still hilarious, but before he started making stinkers like “What Dreams May Come.” The Moon King is actually a kind of dual role for the actor. He has different personalities depending on whether or not his head is attached to his body. Yeah, you heard us right.
Mason: I wish I could take off my head sometimes, like in Writing 122.
Josh: I’ve always wanted to fly. If I were the Moon King, my head could fly around and not worry about airfares or lost luggage.
To give you an idea of just how odd this film can be, we have complied select quotes from the film. Enjoy!
“Go away, I’m trying to die.” — Baron Munchausen
“I have cosmos to direct. I don’t have time for flatulence and orgasms.” — the Moon King
“I’ve just been expelled from a state of bliss, and it’s all your fault.” — Baron Munchausen
“The body is dead. Long live the head!” — the Moon King
People, this is a heapin’ helpin’ o’ good movie. It is pure fantasy, which is something that is lacking in today’s society based on having everything “real.” You know what we’re talking about, MTV.
The performances, the comedy and the themes are top-notch. We recommend you transport yourself to your local video-tape rental location and obtain a reproduction of this motion picture post haste.