Manitou's Canoe 4K 2025

This parody film from Michael Herbig, a German director who knows how to draw in the crowds, is a sparkling comedy western. At least, that's what I thought before watching it. If you know what A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) and you like it, then you can safely skip Manitou's Canoe. But if you can't stand toilet humor and love parody comedies, then this film about Indians and cowboys will brighten up your evening.
The plot is simple. Apache chief Abahachi and an elderly ranger work together. One day, they are caught by the town sheriff and face hanging, but the Seven Goats gang arranges an escape with a trap. The red-haired beast who leads the gang has his own plans for Abahachi and the ranger. At the same time, a romance develops between the saloon manager, Dmitry, a Greek by nationality, and his attractive assistant, Mary. Once in the clutches of the gang, everyone sets off on an adventure to find the legendary mystical canoe of the Manitou Indians, which grants immortality.

The film is full of references to other famous films, but the density and quality of the jokes may disappoint you. But by and large, the film is not “biting” at all, just playful, funny, and silly. I didn't notice any social satire or political allusions.

I found the retro romantic scene by the river, which pokes fun at the “overweight” Mary and her bald elderly Greek Dmitry in retro pants, to be cute. Everything else I've seen somewhere before.

I'm definitely not going to die laughing at Barbie Zorro, and I'm not impressed by the golden revolver. Shootouts with disembowelment and accidental hits—we've seen it all before.
Where's the caricature of the Wild West? There are horse chases, shootouts, and even a train. I want something new in terms of humor. I liked a couple of jokes with the canoe, but the writers couldn't come up with anything more.

Maybe someone enjoys simply recognizing scenes from movies? Actually, a parody should not just repeat, but distort, ridicule, and notice something funny in a familiar situation.