Since the houses found in Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter universe are based on personality traits, it makes sense that the tastes of particular people will differ from one to another. Everything from video games to films can be traced to personality types, so fans have become used to taking their pick this way.
Ravenclaws are choosier than most in the comedy genre, as they prefer works that have a level of smarts about them. These types of people have a liking toward creative jokes, or those that have a story that makes one keep on guessing. With that in mind, here are five comedies Ravenclaws will love, and five they shouldn’t come near.
Love: Groundhog Day (1993)
Reluctant to cover the Groundhog day festivities, weatherman Phil Connors is set on the surprise of his life when he learns he’s stuck in an endless loop of the same day. With seemingly no way out, Phil has to learn how to be a good person in order to adjust to this loop.
Rarely is comedy tailored to fit characterizations than simple skits or bits, with Groundhog Day being a certain treat. Here, Ravenclaws will firstly love the mystery behind Phil being stuck in the time loop, and will stay on longer due to the comedy keeping the viewer guessing over what’s to come.
Hate: Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)
Awakening from what seems to be a hangover, two best friends are constantly reminded of an unknown kind of hijinks they had the previous night. Eventually, things spiral out to the point where aliens are out to get them.
If you’re looking for an absolutely silly kind of fun, then Dude, Where’s My Car? is the way to go. For Ravenclaws, though, this is just far too nonsensical to be a source of hilarity. There’s zero level of smarts here, and the jokes generally appeal to those who want to turn their brains off for a while and just have a laugh.
Love: As Good As It Gets (1997)
Melvin, a misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive man ends up forming an unlikely trio with a waitress who needs to care for her son, and an artist who has been vandalized. Through these interactions, Melvin grows to care for someone else for a change.
A lovely, feel-good comedy with a bit of romance and slight drama, As Good As It Gets is a charming feature thanks to its cast. There aren’t any slapstick jokes here, instead relying on the comedic timing of the characters, something Ravenclaws will appreciate as the film blends all its strong points.
Hate: Zoolander 2 (2016)
Years after his unlikely success at becoming a hero, Derek Zoolander is brought back to the fashion world after his rival Mugatu’s escape. However, he finds that everyone has moved on from him, and Zoolander will have to learn the current trends to stay relevant.
The original did have quite a bit of heartwarming moments to be entertaining, but the sequel seriously does insult one’s intelligence. In the matter of Ravenclaws, this will feel even more striking, as the jokes come across as rather mean-spirited. Along with that, the characters’ stupidity has been turned up way too much to be charming.
Love: A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
A gang of thieves plot to steal diamonds and share the loot, only for each of them to begin planning to double-cross the group. Eventually, it turns into a game of who can outwit the others and get away with all the spoils.
If there’s ever to be a scenario where a group of Ravenclaws would turn out to be criminals, it would have to be the one in A Fish Called Wanda. Here, every character has a witty plan in hand to bamboozle the viewer, making for a highly amusing romp where anything goes.
Hate: Dumb And Dumber To (2014)
Two decades after their first adventure, Harry and Lloyd take another road trip. This time round, it’s with the intention to locate Harry’s long-lost daughter, although their dimwitted personalities cause the trip to go haywire.
Lacking the youthful energy of the original, Dumb and Dumber To comes across as more sad than funny. Ravenclaws will already not take too well the characters’ manchild nature, yet it’s the slapstick nature of the jokes that will be the reason for them turning off interest. It’s just not a film meant to be for people who want some creativity in comedy.
Love: The Big Lebowski (1998)
After thugs mistake the identity of one Lebowski from another, “The Dude” Lebowski becomes embroiled in a ransom case when he looks to be compensated. Following this event, the influence of his equally kooky friend puts The Dude front and center in the ransom plot.
It might seem like a simple and ridiculous comedy on the outside, but The Big Lebowski surprisingly makes one think way more than it’s given credit for, and Ravenclaws will relish this opportunity. Filled with bizarre sequences that can be interpreted a hundred ways, the movie’s hilarious nature comes from the dozens of quotable one-liners.
Hate: Ted (2012)
A teddy bear is brought to life after a young boy wishes for it; in the future, the bear has become lazy and good-for-nothing. When his friend meets the girl of his dreams, Ted realizes that his existence might not have any meaning after all.
This film is geared for adults, but it still feels way too juvenile to be very appealing to clever audiences. In true Seth MacFarlane fashion, Ted is crazy and over-the-top, making its comedic potential a tad too outrageous for Ravenclaws to be too comfortable with.
Love: The Nice Guys (2016)
The disappearance of a teenage girl somehow brings together an unlikely duo to investigate the case. However, it turns out to be way too high over either guy’s pay grade, and they end up in a do-or-die chase to bring down the bad guys.
Here’s a film that deserves praise for making slapstick and crazy a charming aspect of comedy, as The Nice Guys turns its action into hilarious skits. The banter between the protagonists serves as the main hook, and their unique characterizations is far too appealing to resist for Ravenclaw viewers.
Hate: Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
When a gymnasium is threatened with foreclosure, the owner finds out the only way to secure its survival is by participating in a dodgeball competition. Putting together a ragtag group of freaks, he builds up this team to go all the way.
It boasts of a number of big names, yet Dodgeball is incredibly piled with crazy antics to feel like a mature outing. While it does have heart in the story, the overall experience requires one to put up with loud, obnoxious overtones that feel tiresome. Ravenclaws have too many witty comedy films to choose from to have any attachment with this particular one.
