The Kentucky Fried Movie

The Kentucky Fried Movie is a 1977 American comedy film that pioneers the anthology format, serving up a smorgasbord of sketches that weave together to form an amusing, jocular depiction of 70s humor. Directed by John Landis of Animal House and The Blues Brothers fame, and written by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, otherwise known as the 'ZAZ' trio who famously directed Airplane! and the Naked Gun series, The Kentucky Fried Movie is a mercurial blend of satirical vignettes verging on absurdity, a sort of American Monty Python.

The film stars Evan C. Kim, Bong Soo Han, and Bill Bixby among others, the ensemble cast contributing to the multiple segments which make up the episodic narrative. It has no specific plot, no linking characters or ongoing narrative thread, but rather it is a compilation of shorts, each more unexpected and eccentric than the last. These scenes imitate, parody, or spoof popular movies, television shows, newscasts, and commercials of the 70s era, giving each section a distinct, standalone flavor.

One noteworthy segment titled "A Fistful of Yen", starring Evan C. Kim and piped with martial arts choreographed by Bong Soo Han, pays a hilarious homage to Bruce Lee films of the 1970s specifically Enter the Dragon. This lengthy segment takes up nearly a third of the entire film and is bathed in humor that lands punches on multiple film tropes. Evan C. Kim's remarkable performance as the Bruce Lee like character carries the narrative forward and added a flavor of martial arts action to the overall humor.

A few sketches which stand out are truly quaint in their oddness. This includes "Danger Seekers" – a hilarious take on thrill-seekers; "The Wonderful World of Sex", which involves a series of most unusual foreplay techniques overseen by a 'how-to' record; and "United Appeal for the Dead", a curious sketch about a service that makes life comfortable for the deceased. The spoofs on news, commercials, and movie previews are embellished with a unique brand of John Landis-ish lowbrow humor.

The screen then graces us with sci-fi parody "Zinc Oxide & You" and the amusingly peculiar courtroom scene, "Courtroom". Such an array of starkly diverse and often risqué gags guarantee a viewing experience that you won't easily forget. The film notably concludes with "The Disco Minute", which takes on an over-the-top musical sequence – a sort of fittingly insane closure in the world of The Kentucky Fried Movie.

The film stands out for its wise-cracking quips and sight gags, offering a funhouse mirror reflection of popular culture in 1970s America. Its humor might come off as occasional toilet comedy, but there's an inexplicable charm about the film's ability to turn even the most mundane scenes into something hysterically absurd. The humor is certainly vintage here - often raw, off-kilter, and teetering on the edge of vulgarity – but it’s all delivered with a wink and a nod to the audience, mile-wide grins and all.

The Kentucky Fried Movie marks the beginning of Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker collaborations, and fans of their humor will recognize the beginnings of their distinct brand of comedy in this work, a slapstick amalgam of non-sequiturs and sudden left turns. It also marks the early directorial work of Landis and his unique comedic flair.

For its time, The Kentucky Fried Movie was a pioneer, pushing boundaries with its daring humor and utter disregard for the conventional. That refreshing sense of creative anarchy and unpredictable wit has remained largely intact over the years, making it a timeless comedy classic. It's frenetic, zany, chaotic, and balanced blend of clever and sophomoric humor makes it quite the viewing experience.

A word of caution though—The Kentucky Fried Movie is definitely a product of its time. It reflects the less politically correct era of the late '70s with an edgy and irreverent sense of humor that may not resonate with everyone today. However, for those who enjoy their comedy with a touch of audacious retro charm, this quirky film is a comedic goldmine likely to provoke laughter, shock, and everything in between. It’s a rollercoaster ride through the hilariously abnormal and abnormally hilarious, a fun-filled journey into the absurd and the outrageous—take the ticket if you dare.