The Producers (2005)

In 1968, Mel Brooks penned and directed a movie called The Producers about a theatrical performance designed to flop. In 2001, the film was turned into a Broadway musical. Then, in 2005, that Broadway musical was adapted back into a film. This is that film. I found it zany and silly, very much like everything Mel Brooks does. I knew what I'd get from Nathan Lane going in, but the true surprise in my eyes was Matthew Broderick. We know him today as a graying asshole who cheated on his ugly wife, and we knew him long ago as the cool and collected slacker Ferris Bueller. Here, he's actually quite vulnerable, likable, and easy to empathize with. Plus, he could really act and sing. Uma Thurman was also a treat as an over-the-top aspiring Swedish actress. Even Will Ferrell found a role he was perfectly suited for - the Nazi enthusiast responsible for writing "Springtime for Hitler," the very show that the leads produce with every intention of it bombing. This two-hour musical was silly and enjoyable. In fact, I didn't mind the running time at all and it felt much shorter and quicker than its runtime would suggest. This film-turned-musical-turned-film definitely gets my seal of approval.