Three Amigos! Reviews

• Good Fun, Good Humor, Great Movie

  
  By A3FVAWZNKW9GX on 2005-08-29
  "The Three Amigos!" is good fun, a rare comedy that plays well with the whole family. Slapstick, wit, funny songs, sight gags, all tongue-in-cheek transcends generation.
  
  The Plot?
  Three actors get fired by their production company and try to make it on their own. Their first gig in Mexico turns out to be more than act. Much to their surprise, they were hired to protect a town from a thieving band of bad guys, lead by El Guapo, an unusual bandito with a strong vocabulary.
  
  As great movie comedy goes, "The Three Amigos!" might be overlooked. It doesn't have the constant laughter that might be expected. Why? It has an intelligent plot.
  
  While calling this a serious drama would be forgetting that Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short are the stars. Steve Martin, though, in the last 20 years, has veered away from total silliness, except when the humor is organic to the plot.
  
  Of all the scenes I found funny, one with Martin Short hanging from a piñata, when El Guapo comments how the Three Amigos keep appearing, like they are falling from the sky. As expected, Short falls. Predicted, and still funny.
  
  There are nuances of Monty Python in here, and some fantastic parody of silent films. Each of three stars purposefully overplays his role is makeup reminiscent of the great Buster Keaton. Overall, the balance between plot and humor, over-the-top and subdued humor works in grand fashion.
  
  I fully recommend "The Three Amigos!"
  
  Anthony Trendl
  editor, HungarianBookstore.com
  
  

• Sew! Sew like the wind!

  
  By A1P2NBM3P3TS2X on 2002-03-04
  This is Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short in their comedic prime, playing recently fired silent movie actors forced to earn money by ridding a small Mexican village of its evil oppressor. They assume it is nothing more than a Public Appearance gig, but the enemy is quite real!
  This movie is kinda goofy, kinda silly, and all funny. Each of the three comics gets his turn to shine in memorable gags, and there are too many of those gags to list here. Watch for a pre-"Saturday Night Live" Phil Hartman and John Lovitz in an early scene. Funniest bits: Short and Martin running out of water in the desert, Short telling his story of being "discovered" by Lillian Gish's sister, summoning the Invisible Swordsman, Chase trying not to blow his cover in front of the main villain and his henchmen, and Steve Martin's character learning that the supposedly "staged gunfight" is actually real.
  Cost of DVD with shipping -- [item price]
  DVD player -- $200.00
  Microwave popcorn -- 85 cents
  Laughing your [head] of watching "The Three Amigos" -- PRICELESS!
  
  

• The critics are too jaded to enjoy this endearing film.

  
  By A23X7M4IEKWPQV on 2000-01-08
  This movie has an innocent charm about it, much like the 1920's films it is supposed to portray. Martin Short in particular gives the perfectly campy performance his role demands. This movie lays the foundation for the current "Galaxy Quest". It's great to see actors whose characters are actors themselves, trying (and succeeding) at finding the strength within themselves to actually prevail in the situation with which they are confronted. There are plenty of laughs, many subtle touches to fit the period (eg. I love the German mercenary, who's even packing a period-correct German pistol), and forgive me ladies, but Patrice Martinez is so beautiful, it's a wonder we haven't seen her in more films. I heartily recommend this film. It's a pleasure to return to each time I've viewed it.
  
  

• Hop on a horse and ride!

  
  By A3F2JUHM6C9RZ9 on 2005-12-10
  THREE AMIGOS is sooo good, you may never need to see another movie!
  
  

• Your critic are humorless pretentious snobs -

  
  By A1MUJR4L6LUEZQ on 2004-08-15
  You critics are humorless, pretentious snobs who should get a life!
  if they can't enjoy comedy, irony and absurdity in the first place, if they are not charmed by these innocent heroes and great comedic actors and have no appreciation for Landis' talent. why do they even watch films like this? Why? They , in their pretentiousness and pseudo-sophiticastion, are basically the only ones who just don't get it!!!
  Give them some Dogmafilm to talk themselves to death about. God, why are people of such low talent and such enormous selfimportance allowed to write reviews like these? Fire them.
  
  
• The critics be damned
  By A2T625ZU1BQ5MJ on 1999-12-10
  This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest movies ever made. Not only are the comedic situations hilarious, but a classic 'heros save the day' situation touches your heart while tickleing your funnybone. I could never understand why the critics all miss the joke while countless others share my absolute love of this cult classic. It ranks up there with the best of the Saturday Night Live alumni celluloid offerings.
  
  
• Lip balm?
  By on 1999-12-16
  Regardless of what the critics say, this movie is hilarious. The comic chemistry between Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short is great, and you'll remember the classic one-liners for years to come. The quality of the DVD version is excellent.
  
  
• good movie, no special features
  By A2FEGRJQNU51P9 on 2002-12-30
  This is another movie that my girlfriend could not believe i have never seen. What makes this one even stranger is that friend from college had been talking about this movie for years, and i still had never seen it. Now i can finaly say that i have seen The Three Amigos .

  The premise of the movie is that a Mexican woman sees a movie of the Three Amigos saving the day. Only, she does not know it is a movie and thinks it is a newsreel. She invites the Amigos to help save her town from the bandits. Having just been fired from their movie studio, they accept, thinking that it is a chance to do a show and get paid for it. The movie stars Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short.

  The movie is funny and enjoyable as we see the Amigos go on the comedic misadventures. The only negative is that i had just seen Blazing Saddles and could not help making comparisons to it. The Three Amigos falls short in comparison.

  There are no special features on the DVD.
  
  

• Fun, clean slapstick comedy
  By AXFI7TAWD6H6X on 2006-06-30
  I remember seeing "The Three Amigos" in the movie theatre way yonder in my days of youth. At the time, I thought it was the funniest film I had ever seen. Three of my favorite SNL stars Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short in one film. How much funnier can a movie be? Not much.
  
  Chevy, Steve, and Martin plays three recently out of work actors in Hollywood. They are contacted by Carmen (the lovely Patricia Martinez), thinking that the characters they play in a film are real, to help out her town who are being bullied by a bunch of bandits headed by El Guapo. The trio of out of work actors thinks that Carmen is looking for actors to perform for her and her townspeople. The miscommunication quickly leads to one hilarious scene after another.
  
  It's hard to pick a favorite scene. I love the singing bush, the dance number in the ol' Mexican dive, and the final showdown between the trio and El Guapo's gang. Hopefully someday "The Three Amigos" will receive a proper dvd treatment which would include bonus footage as well as better sound and picture. There is nothing crude or obscene about "The Three Amigos" except maybe the shooting scenes but they were obviously fake and not very realistic. This is a good family film to see.
  
  
  
• lower than 1 star & a waste of time
  By AQG5QC0Z1IUA8 on 2000-02-01
  THIS MOVIE IS A WASTE OF TIME NEVER SEE IT NEVER UNLESS U NEED A WAY TO PUT KIDS YO SLEEP
  
  
• Can I have your watch when you are dead?
  By A3NBL4D6WXDJV6 on 2000-03-18
  I get weird looks for saying this is one of my favorite movies of all time, but hey, let them stare. I still constantly quote this movie. I met my boyfriend when he broke out into "My Little Buttercup" in the middle of Biology Lab and I sang with him. This movie is campy and silly...but it's supposed to be. Summon the invisible swordsman? Oh, man, that's classic.
  
  
• She'll be riding three white fools when she comes.
  By A3NF7KWLQZ4EJI on 2001-05-19
  Just wait, stop and think for one minute... Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short... put them together, in a film, with funny little costumes, horses, a great comic-script, some stunning catchphases and incredible characters... and my friend you have yourself a film.

  I have always loved this film but lost touch with it until its latest release on DVD. The actors' achievements before and since say enough, but their comic timing and performances in the film are absolutely outstanding to watch and have me in fits of uncontrolled laughter each time... no matter what I do, it happens everytime, I even know what gags are coming up, that doesn't help! I give in to the tears and surrender to the comedy giants popping up on the screen in front of me.

  The story tells of three actors who, for reasons they explain, feel they should be getting a bit more... it doesn't turn out the way they planned, and when offered to take up their screen legend personnas 'The Three Amigos' to fight injustice for real, the decision has to be made whether to fight and die like men, or run like pigs. Which one do you think they pick?

  Scenes to watch out for: My Little Buttercup / Piarie Lullaby / The Singing Bush / The Final Defeat of the baddies.
  
  

• Very funny movie, very bad DVD
  By A2Q13PHEXGR48Q on 2003-07-30
  Three Amigos! is a very funny film with an excellent cast that suffers from a truly, very bad DVD. The Three Amigos are three silent movie actors down on their luck whne they receive a telegram from a village in Mexico asking them to help rid themselves of El Guapo, an infamous bandit in the area. The three agree thinking that it is all part of a show when it is actually very real. The scene in which they discover this is one of the funniest in the movie. Naturally, the heroes must redeem themselves and decide to go after El Guapo and his gang of tequilla drinking banditos. There are several very funny scenes including the dance number in the bar, the singing bush and the invisible knight, and the Three Amigos' theme song.

  Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short are all very funny as Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms, and Ned Nederlander. They work very well together throughout with each of them having their moments. Look for a great scene with Steve Martin in a dungeon as he tries to escape by grabbing the keys that are just out of his reach. Why do the companies that release DVDs think that people like the snap cases? It is poorly made and easily falls apart. The print is not a good one with virtually no extras added unless you consider cast biographies and filmographies a quality extra. This is a very funny comedy that suffers greatly from a horrible DVD release. If you have the VHS stick with that or wait for a better copy to be released. Bad DVD or not, this is a hilarious movie that will keep viewers laughing throughout.
  
  

• "Would you say I have a plethora?"
  By A1QQPIUXWD4G0Z on 2004-08-05
  John Landis' 1986 rather silly tongue-in-cheek comedy that was never meant to have depth or meaning. Essentially a slapstick comedy not too different to your typical Mel Brooks films.
  
  Martin, Chase, and Short, are three western genre film actors from the 1920s who suddenly find themselves hardpressed for work. Always looking for a new gig, the trio accepts an invitation to make a show in a desolate Mexican pueblo for the infamous (surely meaning more than famous!)El Guapo (Alfonso Arau), a revolutionary bandido whose gang is plaguing the poor peasants of the pueblo. Unaware of the misunderstanding, our film heroes soon realize that the pueblo wants real heroes and not wimps (El Guapo: "I let you go. El Guapo only kills real men, not sssisssies.) Withdrawing in shame, our heroes decide to challenge El Guapo after a beautiful village senorita is taken hostage. The final showdown comes on El Guapo's birthday in his remote mission holdout and this is where our comic heroes find their true manhood.
  
  A silly film that you can't help to laugh at. The film is but a parody of other comedies and western genres. The film is particularly a spoof on Sam Peckinpah's great western 'The Wild Bunch' in wich Alfonso Arau (El Guapo)played the second in command of the chief bandido, General Mapache. In the 'Three Amigos' Arau plays a caricature of Mapache while Tony Plana plays his illiterate second in command, Jefe.
  
  
• In agreeance w/ Jason Lee
  By AW83CVXIX7RFI on 2005-01-12
  What are you two-star raters doing rating this movie? Stick to Titanic and It's a Wonderful Life. Take the movie for what it is. It's a humorous comedy that the whole family can watch, which is becoming more and more scarce. It was a family favorite at my house and never got old for me. Maybe I'll review a tasteful comedy such as Scary Movie next.
  
  
• The Transcendent Infamous Amigos
  By A3GL2YRW275V14 on 2005-11-24
  I saw this movie when it was first released with a friend and all our kids and today I was looking for dvd's for Christmas presents for my now grown kids and came upon this one. I started laughing just thinking about it. Not only is this probably one of the best comedy's ever made, you can watch it with your whole family without having to explain anything and just have a good time. I'm going to be with my family on Christmas and we're going to watch this together along with a "trivia" game following for fun.
  
  
• c'mon
  By A2OCEWSNGZNSUH on 2006-02-01
  people, what sort of world do we live in where a movie with a singing bush and invisible man, a new vocabulary word: plethera, and chevy chase dumping a canteen of water into the desert only gets 4 stars? i protest! this is comedy genius. if you want 4 stars, go watch a movie that spent a lot of money and turned out mediocre. this one spent very little and turned out great. and how many movies can you sit down and watch as a family these days with all the moral disintegration in our society?! 5 stars from me- we need more good, clean, funny movies like this one.
  
  
• A Blazing Saddles style parody
  By A2CANX65Q5U1D9 on 2000-06-29
  Steve Martin is one of the funniest actors on the planet and also one of the best comedic writers. This movie is styled somewhat after Blazing Saddles in that the characters alternate between crazy and outrageous. The plot centers around three silent film stars who are summarily canned from their studio for the audacious request of actually being paid for their work. Broke, they are sent a telegram from a small town in Mexico with what they think is a request for a personal appearance. Unfortunately, the request was not clear because the town was so poor they could not afford all the words needed in the telegram to explain they want the Amigos to rid the town of a killer bandito by the name of El Guapo. The movie is very funny, filled with bizarre characters, such as the singing bush, surreal moments, like the Amigos singing around a campfire or singing to a room full of desperados, and extremely funny conversations. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short all do good comedic turns. The only thing I do not understand is how this movie got rated R; besides the sometimes rough language, this should be a PG-13.
  
  
• Why you shouldn't trust the critics
  By AHTAZKILEFV8Z on 2000-12-29
  I wholeheartedly agree with the hundreds of reviews that contradict the supposed expert opinions of this classic movie. While the comedic style is somewhat akin to Airplane or Naked Gun, the tone here is much more understated and the story moves along nicely and leaves you feeling for the characters. I don't think I've ever seen Chevy Chase or Martin Short being funnier, and who can possibly forget Steve Martin as he cries "I'm going to go talk to them - man to man" ! Non-stop laughter, good plot, perfect timing .. what's next, is a gringo going to fall out of the sky ? Yes, El Guapo !
  
  
• A Watse of Film
  By A1MQQEM7W77L62 on 2004-08-27
  The review just before mine will give you a summary of the film. So I won't waste your time with that. But I will warn you not to waste your time on this film. It has no redeeming value, and unless your 12 it's not funny.
  I saw this film in the theater on the strength of Steve Martin past efforts. I left wanting my money back.
  Skip this one.
  
  
• Classic Comedy
  By ASD96926EJWI6 on 2004-12-07
  Those who are writing reviews and giving the movie one or two stars are tasteless. The movie is a wonderful comedy made in 1986 that is set in the early 1900s. The Three Amigos go to put on a show with someone that they believe is a great actor in Mexico, but rather were requested to actually fight the "infamous" El Guapo. Comedy actors like Jim Carry and Eddie Murphey could learn from this brilliant movie.
  
  
• Viva the insibile swordsman and the singing bush!
  By AI8G8UG6WEQSE on 2005-11-22
  A very funny movie with wacky offbeat humor. I liked it. I'm starting to wonder about Tom Keogh. I've read several of his reviews and seriously dought weather he even exists. The humor is right in your face and it makes you think a bit. And laugh. Some might even consider it a parody on the classic western. Everything is over the top in this one.
  
  
• Better than a kiss on the veranda
  By AMKNJUOSO0KGN on 2007-03-03
  This movie has brought me and my nine year old son closer together. In fact, after watching it together just five times, we will be Amigo's forever. He likes the one liners... "Do you have anything besides Mexican food?" I like the visuals; The dirty, dusty faces south of the border compared to the Amigos in their clean flashy costumes.It is stunning. He likes the singing bush. I like "Blue Shadows." The next day I asked my boy if he liked the dinner I cooked. He said it would have been better with a "light chicken gravy." It is the only movie I have ever seen that makes me bust out laughing when I'm just thinking about it. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short.... "I like these guys. They are funny guys!"
  
  
• Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas, Jefe?
  By on 2000-04-02
  Steve, Chevy and Martin work their kooky, comedic magic effortlessly in this John Landis film from 1986. It sounds dated, but the zany story works well to this day, and will crack you up with its outrageous slapstick and hilarious lines. Great performances from the entire cast including a couple of crack-up bandidos, El Guapo (Alfonso Arau) and his longhair sidekick, "Jefe"(Tony Plana), plus an outrageous vocal medley by Randy Newman as the "singing bush". This one's got music, songs, adventure & suspense (all done tongue-in-cheek of course), plus those three lovable imbeciles. Great fun for everyone.
  
  
• The German Says to Wait Here
  By AOEYQFI5570UF on 1999-11-24
  Simply put the greatest movie ever made. I have never seen a movie any better crafted. A movie you can watch over and over again.
  
  
• 3 X 0 = 0
  By A3QWMJCC7EGGI2 on 2002-03-01
  You would think that if you put three of the funniest comic actors in a movie you would come up with a howler. This movie should be shown in movie producing classes as a "bad chemistry" classic. These guys don't know what to do with each other. Are they courteously waiting for the other guy to grab the punchline? Are they busting their reps to push a bad script? Do they have the flu, or is this a contract fulfillment deal that makes them turn this half witted plot into a dull, pasty, lifeless drone? I say burn it, and never mention it again.
  
  
• Great Movie - Poor DVD
  By A2CLUVY0XTPRZK on 2002-09-16
  INTRO: Everyone knows when you see a DVD snap case you know the DVD is going to be poor or the movie won't be any good. Well, I knew this movie was great, but when I saw the snap case I took a few moments and then went ahead and bought it. When I played the DVD, I noticed a total lack of extras...and mediocre video restoration. I was baffled as to why such a movie didn't get a better DVD transfer...

  MOVIE: The movie is a classic, with some very funny comedic bits that are familiar throughout Chevy Chase's movies. With Martin Short and Steve Martin, this movie is a must for classic comedy fans. It tells about three old-time western movie actors that get called to Mexico because some troubled villagers need their help. The funny thing is, the Three Amigos think that they are just going for a movie shoot, but the villagers are in dire need of REAL heroes to help save them from the evil El Guapo. Its definitely a laugh riot when they find out that its real in the heat of it!

  DVD: Ugh. Very poor. The video restoration is poor at first, then clears up pretty well later. I don't mind as much as I am letting off, its just I am sick of seeing poor DVDs with no extras. The menus are at least easily navicable and don't take any time at all to load.

  EXTRAS: Well, we got the traditional "bios" that are apparent on various low-budget DVDs...and that's about it. No theatrical trailer, no behind the scenes, no audio commentary. Nada. Ziltch.

  OVERALL: Still a great movie. Being spoiled for extras and all of the modern features of today's DVDs, I probably lost my way from the original VHS. I'm still glad its just available on DVD, and am happy to have it on my DVD shelf. Get this if you are a fan of either: (a.) old comedies with classic actors {or} (b.) Steve Martin, Martin Short, or Chevy Chase. In other words...COMPRE ESTO!!

  !Viva el tres amigos!
  
  

• Great movie: On Paper
  By A3Q4XAQXKKV6V on 2002-12-15
  All the gang is here! This movie should be much better.

  I saw this at the theater when it came out way back when. I had put off getting it on dvd because my memory of it was: that it really wasn't that great. Well, my memory served right. I knew what I was buying, it was cheap, it has Chevy, but in the end it just seems to come down to a chemistry problem. Actually, I am stunned to see this movie faring so well here at Amazon.com, usually a tough crowd. Steve and Chevy don't really seem like distant Amigos let alone close friends, they mix here like water and oil. Martin Short was a smart choice for middle man. It does have great moments like the mentioning of those aweful old titles the Amigo's had made: Amigo's, Amigo's Amigo's, Little Neddy Goes To..., etc, etc. But overall, the movie has poor timing on all counts, overly long scenes that aren't funny to begin with (Steve in chains), and honestly does come across like a contract fulfillment. Isn't the worst I've ever seen, but really folks? 5 stars? I just don't get it.

  At the end of the day, as much as I love Steve Martin, I think Dan Aykroyd would have worked better as "Lucky Day". Chevy and Dan just work better together. Even the songs don't really create the type of belly-laugh you'd expect, they are flat. Holding that one note in the song "The Three Amigos" goes over with a resounding THUD, and seems almost a premonition of what's to come.
  
  

• He does not kill crying women!
  By A1GSR7RGCG1QYZ on 2004-10-01
  Before comedic artists came into Hollywood demanding they attempt a role in a very serious film, there were films like Three Amigos. Riddled with laughs, upon laugh, upon laughs, this wildly enjoyable romp through the open desert could only have been accomplished by three of our favorite comedians. Those are Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. To say that anyone in today's cinema can come close to the genius of these three powerhouses would be a lie. While I do believe that Ryan Reynolds is a very close to becoming the next Chase, nobody else can match their style, humor, and elegance. Comedy was not just a job for these three, it was an art.
  
  Three Amigos places us in a small town that is searching for some heroes that will help them get rid of some local hoodlums. Mistaking the opportunity as work, our three protagonists rush into the town prepared for the show of a lifetime. Little do they know, they are soon going to be fighting life and death. Thankfully, seriousness is in low amounts in this film, and comic hijinks ensure. Our three stumble through bars, the desert, and the final hide-a-way before their creative finale.
  
  I remember watching this film with my family when I was really young. I remember laughing at everything these three bumbling idiots did, and how impressed I was by the grace they did it with. As I grew older, this film remained with me. These three actors represent some of the funniest moments in cinematic history, and here they are gathered together to make a film. I loved this movie. I loved the absurdity, the randomness, and the sheer fun of these types of films. I miss this type of physical, pseudo-intellectual humor. I miss laughing as much as I did when I first watched this film, and when I watch it over and over again. The simplistic nature of this film allows it to be enjoyed at any time during your life. Martin, Short, and Chase are at the top of their game and never let go. It is sad to see these actors getting less and less work today.
  
  Overall, this film impressed me. It is funny, enjoyable, and so silly that you don't need to wade through the bathroom humor to get to the good stuff. It is all right there. I suggest this film to anyone that is looking to laugh and be entertained!
  
  Grade: ***** out of *****
  
  
• We Are The Three Amiiiiiiigos
  By A1Q15TP2FXYYMF on 2006-06-27
  In my opinion one of the best comedies I have seen.
  With Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short all on top form as the three dim-witted unemployed Hollywood actors who are enlisted to help a little mexican village from the terrors of a man called "El Guapo"! The thing is...they think its just a show, that is until the real bullets start flying.
  
  This film has some truly brilliant slapstick moments which I won't ruin for you (but the "my little buttercup" song and "male plane" joke had me in fits).
  
  This film will keep everyone entertained with the various gunfights, a fight with invisible swordsman (doesn't last long), singing bushes, sing alongs and "male" planes. What is not to love about this film. It is Highly recommended.
  
  
  

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