In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman ride out with five better buddy adventures that deliver what Lightning Jack couldn’t: chemistry, momentum, laughs, and actual dialogue. From unlikely action duos to cowboy comedies that still hold up, these films prove that the buddy formula needs more than Paul Hogan free-associating for 90 minutes.

Films Discussed:

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)

Shanghai Noon (2000)

Midnight Run (1988)

Maverick (1994)

Three Amigos (1986)

Topics Covered:

Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson’s chaotic buddy magic in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson’s easygoing charisma in Shanghai Noon

Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro redefining road trip dynamics in Midnight Run

Mel Gibson’s surprisingly fun (and less problematic) cowboy comedy in Maverick

Why Three Amigos remains a timeless comedy miracle

Key Takeaways:

Buddy comedies need two fully developed characters, not one chatterbox and one mime

Charisma > Coolness when you're trying to sell a buddy dynamic

Lightning Jack wishes it had even half the joy or pace of any movie on this list

Three Amigos remains an absolute blueprint for how to do ensemble buddy comedy

Listener Prompt:

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