The General - Film Review

OUTSTANDING FILM

★★★★★- 5 Stars 

      Chaplin or Keaton? Well that is very difficult to put into question. Both of them have very different ways of executing humor. I'd personally say Chaplin but Keaton is not far behind. This film has more story than Chaplin's film I saw, "Modern Times". But enough about Chaplin, this is about Keaton. The movie is funny and exciting at the same time. Keaton is a short and pathetic man who wants to enlist in the Civil War. They decline him but as he finds out that the Union kidnaps the love of his life, he sets off to save her. He is chased by other Union soldiers aboard a train. Keaton, using a train himself, is operating it with stupidity. To keep the train movie on parts where there are no tracks, he place tracks in front of the train as it operates (don't ask me how he just does).
      Keaton does rescue the woman and takes her back to town. But before he is recognized for his bravery, he gets caught between a battle between a bridge! He is force to fight, but his stupidity and sheer lack of luck lead him to look ridiculous in front of the other soldiers. In order to slow down the enemy, they must blow up the bridge. They do, and then Keaton is recognized for his bravery.
      I did not expect to see a full-fledged story in this film. It made me excited to watch the silent film. I definitely recommend you check out Keaton's "The General" if you have 90 minutes to kill. It's worth it.