I think there are some interesting ideas here, and I agree that analysis of art can (and sometimes should) be done at a high level. But I’m doubtful that The Hangover or even The Hangover 2 is the best example to hang your hat on. I agree with Kevin that the first movie is actually pretty funny. Plus:
Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.
Maybe that the quote is not completely true (that is, there are situations when analyzing humor may lead to insight or even more humor), but to some extent, I think White is correct that humor is challenging to analyze without taking the joy/humor out of it. I enjoy laughing, including sometimes stomach-hurting laughter at “lowbrow” comedy, and I prefer to keep laughing at what makes me laugh rather than analyzing it.
I think there are some interesting ideas here, and I agree that analysis of art can (and sometimes should) be done at a high level. But I’m doubtful that The Hangover or even The Hangover 2 is the best example to hang your hat on. I agree with Kevin that the first movie is actually pretty funny. Plus:
E.B. White
Maybe that the quote is not completely true (that is, there are situations when analyzing humor may lead to insight or even more humor), but to some extent, I think White is correct that humor is challenging to analyze without taking the joy/humor out of it. I enjoy laughing, including sometimes stomach-hurting laughter at “lowbrow” comedy, and I prefer to keep laughing at what makes me laugh rather than analyzing it.
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