12 Clever Films That Appear to Be Silly Movies

      These clever films are merely masquerading as foolish ones to put you in a false state of superiority and then surprise you with their — dare we say? — brilliance.

      On a related note, what we consider a genuinely foolish movie is a pretentious one that believes it’s profound. We would choose a shamelessly silly film over a film that takes itself too seriously any day.

      With that said, here are 12 clever films that appear to be stupid.

      **Starship Troopers (1997)**

      Buena Vista International

      One could argue that many films directed by Paul Verhoeven in the ’80s and ’90s were intelligent films that pretended to be silly. The Dutch director adeptly weaves together high and low culture better than nearly anyone else.

      Take, for instance, the release of Starship Troopers; critics at the time dismissed it as a mindless sci-fi movie, failing to recognize that it is actually a satire on aggressive nationalism and militarism.

      For example, Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, “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?’”

      You might comprehend their misunderstanding of Verhoeven's satirical intent — if not for the fact that almost all of his films, dating back to Robocop, feature significant elements of satire and social commentary. (Even the notoriously criticized Showgirls.)

      When viewed correctly — meaning, if you understand that everyone involved in the film is in on the joke — Starship Troopers is one of the best silly films ever made about a charming co-ed army and giant space bugs. However, it also serves as a solid commentary on militarism and patriotism, akin to Dr. Strangelove.

      **The Terminator (1984)**

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      James Cameron set out to merge thoughtful sci-fi with the thrills and DIY spirit characteristic of Roger Corman’s films and ended up crafting a classic.

      The Terminator grabs your attention with its violence and surprises, yet it leaves you pondering long after viewing whether robots could indeed take over. Its time travel concept — where everything exists in a loop — is one of the most fascinating in cinema.

      Anyone who began the ’80s thinking Arnold Schwarzenegger was merely muscle without brains had to rethink their stance by decade's end: he possessed a true talent for choosing seemingly silly films that offered something to contemplate long after the famous catchphrases faded.

      **Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)**

      New Line Cinema

      Another brilliant premise for a silly film: a groovy '60s secret agent thawed out in the more reserved '90s. Yet one of writer-star Mike Myers’ greatest skills is finding humor in the disparity between what you expect his characters to know and what they actually know.

      The Austin Powers series has a lot of fun humorously poking fun at Bond film clichés — the villain revealing his entire plan, the double entendres, the disposable henchmen — but then Austin surprises you with his unexpected sensitivity and kindness.

      Once, at the peak of #MeToo, we watched this film at a large outdoor screening with primarily millennials. When Vanessa (Elizabeth Hurley) attempted to initiate intimacy with Austin, and he protested that she was too inebriated, Austin “Danger” Powers earned an extended round of applause.

      **Top Secret (1984)**

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: Paramount

      Top Secret — from the creators of Airplane! — was a flop that felt like an exercise in absurdity: a mashup of an Elvis movie parody and a war movie satire, with an extended parody of The Blue Lagoon thrown in. While it may appear to be a very foolish movie,

      it’s also a heartfelt homage to decades of cinematic camera tricks, with some of its scenes showcasing sheer cinematic brilliance, including one shot entirely backwards, before the film intentionally undermines its own impressive choreography.

      We should also highlight a hilariously great underwater brawl that required the actors to hold their breath for long stretches of time.

      However, the camera tricks are only part of its cleverness. It also incorporates unexpected jokes, such as this one: “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 case of Arnold Schwarzenegger perfectly selecting a role.

      The Running Man, based on a story by Stephen King, prudently anticipated the surge of reality TV competitions. Schwarzenegger plays Ben Richards, a scapegoated helicopter pilot forced to engage in violent confrontations with cartoonish adversaries to win a dystopian game show called The Running Man.

      The film has many clever touches—including casting real-life game show host Richard Dawson as the