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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
Not sure how many clamors for a sequel to a film 40 years after its initial release, but here we are. The Oscar-winning Mel Brooks is a cinematic legend. History of The World Part I isn’t necessarily considered one of his very best, but it is still a good bit of satirical fun. Now in 2023, History of the World Part II is set to premiere as an exclusive mini-series on Hulu. The 97-year-old (!) Brooks provides writing/producing and narration credits as well as his blessing to the project.
Leading the charge in this sequel are Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, and Ike Barinholtz, all of whom collectively star, write and produce most of the material. Supporting them is an epic list of cameos and scene-stealing bits from the likes of Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, The Fabelmans), Jack Black (School of Rock, Jumanji), Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Portlandia), Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Kumail Nunjani (Eternals) & Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi, M3GAN) to name a few. It’s a very modern and contemporary take on the concept especially comparing Brooks’s comedic style to what audiences may find funny today. While some of the concepts work and some are downright hilarious, there are others that kind of just exist.
History of The World Part II featuring The Nick Kroll Show Revival
Dominating most of the screen time is comedian Nick Kroll. He leads two separate, lengthy sketches that unfold throughout the 8-episode series. I do find Kroll to be quite funny but only in the right circumstances. I particularly loved his performance in the fantasy football comedy, The League. However, he doesn’t quite have the command of the screen the way Mel Brooks did in the original History of The World film.
The Russian Revolution bits are funny in spots but are mostly memorable for Jack Black’s scene-stealing ballad. That sketch and his Galileo bits I found to be rather exhausting especially when I didn’t connect with the jokes. Fortunately, his role as Judas in his sketch highlighting Jesus’s life was brilliant! Those are easily his best moments on the show. His shortcomings aren’t all that different from my issues with the original film; it’s more or less a mixed bag.
When It’s Good, It’s Great
The best multipart sketch in the series definitely had to be the Civil War storyline that starred Ike Barinholtz as Ulysses S. Grant. His portrayal is a riot! A war-weary, grunting buffoon willing to risk his life for a sip of alcohol. The bit is consistently funny and full of awesome cameos.
Wanda Sykes rocks as Harriet Tubman in that Civil War section, but also gets her own sketch to shine in “Shirley.” A 70’s style sitcom bit that features Marla Gibbs from The Jeffersons.
History Of The World Part II falls to similar pitfalls as the original film but also succeeds in the same manner as well. The more focused, shorter skits in both films are what stood out best. Whether it was Marco Polo meeting Kublai Khan, Shakespeare gaslighting his company, or cavewomen trying to start a fire. Those brought on the most laughs.
As a huge fan of Mel Brooks’ work, History of The World Part II isn’t quite on the same level. However, it still delivers in its own way and I still think it’s worth a watch for fans of the cast.
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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
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