Murder by Death - 3/5

This is a dumb screwball comedy that works pretty well, all things considered. The mystery is nonexistant, but constantly changes its own rules and is very much not the point of the story. Instead, the draw of the film is the sheer audacity of the premise and jokes, hoping to keep a quick enough pace that its audience won’t raise an incredulous eyebrow at its nonsense. Its satire of the (relatively) famous detectives is less scathing commentary than it is silly caricature and as such it is an enjoyable, if forgettable, romp.

Closest comparison: It’s like Spaceballs by way of Clue: The Movie.

Setting: Mystery
Plot: Screwball Comedy
Tone: Dry Comedy

The Wrong Arm of the Law - 3/5

This comedy is a straightforward goofball heist movie, complete with Peter Sellers doing multiple accents and a “why the heck not” ending. It’s a fun, often nonsensical cops-and-robbers romp through London, each character as incompetent as the next. There’s not a whole lot of silliness, surprisingly, despite its goofball tone, so the overall effect is a bit dry and stilted. It would have done better to go all in on the gimmick, but as it is it’s just pretty good.

Closest comparison: It’s like the Pink Panther (1963) by way of Funeral in Berlin.

Setting: Crime
Plot: Heist
Tone: Comedy