Review of Modern Times (1936) by Alan W — 17 Nov 2018

The Metropolis-style set in the opening scene is impressive, but though there are some good ideas in that opening section it's disappointing that it rapidly falls back on slapstick routines rather than attempting more subtle satire.

It's also a bit of a jolt when the futuristic world disappears as soon as Chaplin leaves the factory, and most of the rest is just a series of Tramp sketches that could have been inserted into many of his other films.

I'm not a huge Chaplin fan anyway, but here in particular it just feels like every comic idea is extended too long. Maybe I was spoilt by watching Duck Soup recently, but by comparison Modern Times feels rather ponderous.