As noted on the main page, A Night at the Opera is the first Marx Brothers movie made at MGM, where Irving Thalberg suggested adding a romantic subplot to the usual Marx antics to broaden the film's appeal. But although the movie was a major success, fans have been debating ever since whether the change was for better or worse in their filmography.
The truth of the matter is that A Night at the Opera remains a quintessential Marx Brothers movie, complete with the rapid-firerampant snarking and pantomimeSlapstick that the team was known for. What it also has is a slightly more mellow tone; the pace is not as frantic, the misadventures are not as aimless, and seeing the Marxes direct their antics toward a worthy cause turns them from agents of random chaos into sympathetic comedic heroes. Furthermore, the slower pace of the film makes it easier for viewers to appreciate the jokes, though some will find the opera singing to drag on in places.
Is A Night at the Opera better than Duck Soup? That depends on whether you prefer your Marxes as comic forces of nature or as goofy do-gooders doing good. But you can't go wrong either way, and there's no reason you have to choose just one.
Addendum: It's highly recommended to watch Brain Donors after A Night at the Opera, to better appreciate all the Shout Outs in the former.
The Marx Brothers mellow out
As noted on the main page, A Night at the Opera is the first Marx Brothers movie made at MGM, where Irving Thalberg suggested adding a romantic subplot to the usual Marx antics to broaden the film's appeal. But although the movie was a major success, fans have been debating ever since whether the change was for better or worse in their filmography.
The truth of the matter is that A Night at the Opera remains a quintessential Marx Brothers movie, complete with the rapid-fire rampant snarking and pantomime Slapstick that the team was known for. What it also has is a slightly more mellow tone; the pace is not as frantic, the misadventures are not as aimless, and seeing the Marxes direct their antics toward a worthy cause turns them from agents of random chaos into sympathetic comedic heroes. Furthermore, the slower pace of the film makes it easier for viewers to appreciate the jokes, though some will find the opera singing to drag on in places.
Is A Night at the Opera better than Duck Soup? That depends on whether you prefer your Marxes as comic forces of nature or as goofy do-gooders doing good. But you can't go wrong either way, and there's no reason you have to choose just one.
Addendum: It's highly recommended to watch Brain Donors after A Night at the Opera, to better appreciate all the Shout Outs in the former.