Good movie but grossly overrated

Fantastic!

Excellent but underrated film

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The Marx Brothers were responsible for crafting some of the greatest and funniest comedies of the 20th century, and "Animal Crackers" ranks high among the list of their finest work. "animal Crackers" embodies the absurd and occasionally nonsensical wit of the Marx Brothers' routine with near flawlessness.This is a masterpiece of the weird and wacky, an anarchic comedy spectacle in which rules are practically non existent; anything can happen in the maniacal comic landscape that the Marx Brothers inhabit. The fourth wall is constantly being broken, puns are being made left and right, insults and one liners are shot from Groucho's mouth at the speed of a bullet, Harpo's physical routines borderline complete madness, and it all culminates together to create one of the greatest and funniest movies of the 1930's. As always, Groucho's fearlessly witty sense of humor is the comedic highlight, while Harpo further proves that physical comedy CAN be done well, and Chico balances both physical and verbal humor in his own charming way (and Zeppo works well as a straight man that his manic brothers can play off of). Chico and Harpo also show off their mind boggling musical talent on the piano and harp. Although these performances do not match those in the cinematic masterwork "A Night at the Opera", they are still extraordinary and make me wish with all of my heart that I had a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of their relentless musical talent.The "plot" surrounding the Marx Brothers' often surreal chaos is hardly even utilized, and when it is the film remains quite entertaining. As always, the mere fragments of a storyline only work as set ups to more comic insanity, and there is nothing wrong with that!

Socialite Mrs. Rittenhouse throws a party for celebrated explorer Captain Spaulding (Groucho Marx) after returning from Africa. Horatio Jamison (Zeppo Marx) is his suffering assistant. Professor (Harpo Marx) and Ravelli (Chico Marx) are in the party for some reason. Hives is the put upon butler. Arabella Rittenhouse and her boyfriend John Parker replace a valuable painting with his work to prove his painting skills. Then both the original and the copy disappear and mayhem ensues.For some reason, I don't find this one that funny except for a couple of scenes. The jokes are not really hitting me. There is a stretch where Groucho breaks the 4th wall while the women freeze in place. None of that struck me as funny. When jokes fall flat like that, the movie feels sad. It's possible that I simply don't get many of the references. I don't find Hungerdunger that funny. Zeppo drags down the comedy. By comparison, Chico and Groucho does a great long back-and-forth. It's sharper and more energetic. The final scene with Harpo and the silverware is something special. However those are the only sections where I get big laughs.

There are better Marx Brothers movies. This is their second film and you can see very well how they are coming into their own as a well oiled comedy troupe on the big screen. Made in 1930, the process of making a film with sound has its problems, plus there's next to no story, and too much focus off of the Marx Brothers. But in between all that there's so much great humor to pay close attention to. That's how the movie shines! For someone who has never seen a Marx Brothers movie, this might be a good place to start because they get better from here!7.4 / 10 stars--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener

Returning from expedition in Africa, wise-cracking Groucho Marx (as Captain Spaulding) is the guest of honor at the Long Island estate of matronly Margaret Dumont (as Mrs. Rittenhouse). Musicians hired for the occasion are Chico Marx (as Signor Emanuel Ravelli) and Harpo Marx (as The Professor). Brother Zeppo takes a letter (as Horatio Jamison). Butler Robert Greig still has hives. The plot involves the stolen painting "After the Hunt". This is where Groucho shot an elephant in his pajamas."Animal Crackers" is a mostly perfect representation of their stage success, overcoming the technological problems which hampered "The Coconuts" (1929). The sometimes dismissed plot and romance pace the film beautifully, and the music is perfect; note how well "Why Am I So Romantic?" sets the stage for the harp interlude. The Kaufman-Ryskind script and the Marx Brothers' finely-tuned delivery breathed life into talking pictures even as Harpo said nothing and the film went out of circulation for decades.********** Animal Crackers (8/20/30) Victor Heerman ~ Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Margaret Dumont