Cross-posting here from YSK.
The Great Race is better on pretty much every dimension than Airplane! – comedic timing, joke density, meme-ability, sound track, cringe-resistance… It’s just, better. It holds up better, too.
They are admittedly very different movies, both really well done. But TGR has absolutely epic production that’s not necessarily obvious on the surface. The big fist fight, for instance – the moment when Leslie stage dives is choreographed with so much detail, and most of the stunts in that shot are tossed aside like croutons, but absolutely make the scene.
Another thing is that TGR never winks at the camera, despite being pretty campy. That’s a feat!
Last but not least: the best pie fight in screen history
Another big budget 1960’s comedy nostalgia movie.
https://youtu.be/9biklE2wA6M The Great Race
https://youtu.be/ssZ-fzs8F5E “Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.”