The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed by Rob Reiner

Released October 9, 1987

Written by William Goldman

Movie Synopsis Courtesy of IMDB

"While home sick in bed, a young boy's grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride."

Fighting, schemes, love, magic, war, royalties, jokes, henchmen, death, this movie really does have it all. No wonder it is a classic that people still rave about even to this day. The Princess Bride is one of those movies that your girlfriend wants to watch and you men don't mind because it actually is more than a love story. You find the jokes entertaining and the fighting scenes aren't too bad either. The funny thing is that idea is exactly how the boy at the beginning was looking at it, that it is "a kissing book." But by the end, both Grandpa and the boy show that it is more than just that.

Speaking of that, I actually really enjoy that aspect of the movie, having this be a real story that is being read. It is different than if they just had a narrator tell the story. It also explains a lot about some of the people or situations in the book because let's be real ROUS are not real, magic pills aren't real, and having a character with six fingers. All of that is more accepted when you know that it is a story instead of a real event happening, as it would feel like with an narrator. 

I don't even know where to begin when talking about this movie, it has slowly turned into one of my favorites just over the past few years. I hadn't actually seen it until a few years ago, but now every time I watch it, I find myself quoting it more and more. Probably because there are such iconic lines from this movie. One of the biggest ones being Vizzini's famous use of the word Inconceivable. 

According to the dictionary, Inconceivable means "not capable of being imagined or grasped mentally; unbelievable." I think a better word that he should have learned to use is impossible, but for the most part I believe he is using the word correctly despite what Inigo might think. The funny part is how he (according to the definition of the word) thinks his plan is incapable of being foiled and he has not imaged or mentally grasped the concept that it could be foiled. It is also just funny because he keeps using it over and over again.

Another popular phrase in this movie is Inigo's speech on avenging his father. He repeats it so many times throughout the movie that by the end you are saying it in your head along with him. 

This scene is really satisfying because after the whole movie of Inigo talking about killing the man who killed his father (SPOILER ALERT) he finally does! It is so satisfying to see especially since it looked like the six fingered man was going to kill Inigo first.

I just think his name is so goofy! I had to put this in here. I have nothing else to say about it besides who names a character Humperdinck!?

Also, who names their kid Buttercup! Ahhhhh. I am big on names and these two just, I can't take them seriously with names like Humperdinck and Buttercup. But again, that's why this is a story.

One thing that does slightly bother me in this movie is the character of Buttercup. There are parts where she does well, but overall I get a very Kristen Stewart feeling about her: a lack of emotion. Especially in this one scene. She just realized that Westley is alive and her reaction is so lack luster and not shocked in the slightest. It is just, oh hey he is alive. Boring and unamused. And that's kind of the performance I feel for most of the movie from her. What do you think? Am I just being too critical? 

This point is especially true when compared to the genius that is Cary Elwes. I was first introduced to him as Robin in Robin Hood Men in Tights. Since then, I have been a big fan. It is hard to point out, but he has such a subtle way of delivering his lines, that half looks like he is about to start laughing and is half serious. It is mostly sarcasm mixed with a smirk. It is hard to describe, but if you have seen him in more than one movie than you know what I am talking about. It almost gets to the point of being a goofy smile/face, but it doesn't. He just has a special way of going about his characters that make them very entertaining to listen to and to watch.

Since I am a big fan of Cary Elwes, I have come up with the next great movie. It is the newest version of the Three Musketeers: Westley, Inigo, and Fezzik. I don't know why, but when the three of them get together it is like the Three Stooges or something. I know the musketeers and stooges are two completely different things, but they are a little of both of those famous trios. They are a great combination together, which is proved by this scene.

Just try and watch this scene without cracking a smile. It also is further proof of Cary's great acting abilities with his physical comedy. I hope I am not the only one that thinks this would be a great movie with the three of these guys. Any screenwriters out their that want to write it? I will read it!

The last thing I want to bring up in this movie is the great sword fighting scene. Now sword fights are fairly common in movies from this time period, since they didn't have many other fighting options. But this scene has its own special twist to it. The idea that both men are fighting with their less dominant hands until they start losing and then they switch. It also was greatly choreographed and executed with respect to the set. The only other sword fight that I enjoy more than this one is any fight with Caption Jack Sparrow from The Pirates of the Caribeaan movies - enough said.

Prince Humperdinck: "Surrender."

Westley: "You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept."