12 Clever Films That Appear to Be Silly Movies

      These clever films are merely masquerading as foolish ones, designed to create a false sense of superiority in viewers and then surprise them with their — if we may say it? — brilliance.

      On a related note, what do we define as a genuinely foolish movie? A pretentious film that believes it is profound and deep. We prefer an unapologetically silly movie over a film that takes itself too seriously any day.

      With that in mind, here are 12 intelligent films that pretend to be foolish.

      Starship Troopers (1997)

      Buena Vista International

      It can be argued that many films directed by Paul Verhoeven in the ’80s and ’90s are smart works disguised as dumb movies. The Dutch director successfully mixes high and low culture like few others.

      For instance, when it was released, critics mocked Starship Troopers as a mindless sci-fi film, failing to recognize that it cleverly satirizes aggressive nationalism and militarism.

      Janet Maslin of The New York Times, for example, wrote dismissively, “Where exactly are the hordes of moviegoers who will exclaim: 'Great idea! Let’s go see the one about the cute young co-ed army and the big bugs from space?'”

      One might forgive them for not realizing that Verhoeven was crafting a satire — if not for the fact that nearly all his films, dating back to Robocop, feature significant doses of satire and social critique. (Even the often-criticized Showgirls.)

      If you view it correctly — meaning, if you understand that everyone connected to the film is in on the joke — Starship Troopers becomes one of the best films portraying a charming co-ed military and colossal space bugs. Additionally, it serves as a robust commentary on militarism and patriotism, akin to Dr. Strangelove.

      The Terminator (1984)

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      James Cameron aimed to merge high-concept sci-fi with the thrills and DIY spirit of a Roger Corman film, resulting in a classic.

      The Terminator captivates with its violence and surprises while provoking thoughts about the potential for robots to take over long after the film ends. Its concept of time travel — depicting everything as a loop — is one of the most intriguing in cinema.

      Anyone who thought at the beginning of the ’80s that Arnold Schwarzenegger was merely muscle-bound had to reconsider by the decade's close: he possessed a unique talent for choosing seemingly foolish films that prompted reflection well beyond their catchphrases.

      Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

      New Line Cinema

      Another delightful setup for a silly movie: a groovy ’60s secret agent is awakened in the more subdued ’90s. One of writer-actor Mike Myers’ best tricks lies in finding humor in the disparity between what you expect his characters to know and what they do understand.

      The Austin Powers films amusingly parody the conventions of Bond movies — the villain revealing his entire plan, double entendres, and disposable henchmen — but Austin surprises with his unexpected sensitivity and decency.

      Once, during a large outdoor screening amid millennials around the #MeToo movement, when Vanessa (Elizabeth Hurley) attempted to seduce Austin but he protested that she was too inebriated, Austin “Danger” Powers received a prolonged round of applause.

      Top Secret (1984)

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: Paramount

      Top Secret — crafted by the creators of Airplane! — bombed yet felt almost like an exercise in absurdity: a parody of an Elvis movie mixed with war film satire and an extended parody of The Blue Lagoon as well. It may seem like a profoundly foolish film.

      However, it also serves as an affectionate tribute to decades of cinematic techniques, with some sequences being sheer genius, including a scene shot perfectly in reverse, only to then subvert its own impressive blocking.

      We also want to highlight a ridiculously entertaining underwater bar brawl that required the actors to hold their breath for extended durations.

      But the technical tricks are merely a part of its humor. It integrates unexpected jokes like: “My uncle was born in America. But he was one of the lucky ones; he managed to escape in a balloon during the Jimmy Carter presidency.”

      The Running Man (1987)

      TriStar Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Another instance of Arnold Schwarzenegger selecting a role culminated perfectly.

      Based on a Stephen King story, The Running Man foresightedly depicted the rise of reality TV competitions. Schwarzenegger plays Ben Richards, a scapegoated helicopter pilot compelled to engage in deadly competitions with over-the-top adversaries for a dystopian game show called The Running Man.

      The film includes many clever touches — like casting real-life game show host Richard Dawson as show host Damon Killian — but the movie’s cleverest aspect is how Ben must not only defeat his foes but also win a media war against the oppressive government backing the games.

      Robocop (1987)