Nerds That Geek Movie Review: '¡Three Amigos!'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​I’ve always been fascinated by what makes a motion picture iconic in our eyes, because the reasons are always different when you discuss those kinds of films with others. Sometimes it’s a powerful plot that allows for a particular movie to withstand the test of time, or it could be the characters and the incredible moments they share with us that make the film a favorite through and through. But for me, there is one reason and one reason alone as to what makes a film iconic; the fact that they bring something unique to the table.
 
Because the films that offer up a fresh twist on an old trope, or outright deliver something original stick in our minds immediately since cinema does love to tread in familiar territory and really, if there’s one genre out there that is far more successful at this feat than others, it’s comedy. Because the rich and outlandish nature of this genre, allows for unique and memorable moments to shine through often and recently, I sat down to re-watch a comedy that meets these criteria and is about as iconic as they come in ¡Three Amigos!
 
Now this is another film where the plot doesn’t need to be discussed, because we’ve all seen it a million times and we quote it on a regular basis. So really, what I want to focus on today, is what makes this comedy so damn iconic and memorable and really, it’s the overall plot that we have to thank for that. Because really, what makes this film so successful is the fact that it provides a unique and fresh take on the fish out of water story. Sure, we’ve seen average joes be put in places they simply don’t belong before, but never like this. 

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​I mean come on, three dainty actors are suddenly in harm’s way without even knowing it? That’s genius and it makes for more hilarious moments than we could ever imagine, and it is those clueless moments that give the film its charm, because these guys really don’t know anything else in life outside of the entertainment industry and they love the business so much that they believe that putting on a show is the only way they can find fulfillment in life and really, for proof of that, look no further than the ‘My Little Buttercup’ scene to understand their lack of understanding. But the film offers so much more than just awkward moments for these guys. They eventually grow, they become heroes and come to understand there’s more to life than the sheltered world they’ve hidden in.
 
However, that kind of journey simply doesn’t work without the right actors in place and boy did they pick the perfect men to play the title characters. Because Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short are downright brilliant as the Three Amigos for so many reasons. First and foremost is the obvious one, the fact that they are comedic geniuses through and through and their skill set when it comes to making people laugh is on full display in this tale. But, their talents as dramatic actors come into play here as well, since they are able to sell that all-important growth and really, this motion picture truly serves as a testament to their incredible talent.
 
Yet despite all the wonderful acting and writing on display in this tale, make no mistake about it. This is a damn funny film. The laughs simply come at you a mile a minute and every actor in this movie contributes to the comedy in some form or fashion which makes this movie incredibly quotable and memorable and really, it’s unique setup and everything else we’ve discussed today, make it a true classic and if you haven’t seen this one, you’re missing out, and if you have…well it’s probably time to watch it again. Because if you’re like me, you likely missed something while you were busting a gut laughing, meaning that there’s something new and wonderful to find in this story, with every subsequent viewing. 

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