Mel Brooks' parodies hit the mark by uncovering deep truths about human foibles. His best movies maintain their satirical focus, while also conjuring great comedy out of thin air. Brooks uses naturalistic dialogue and relatable humor to poke fun at historical events and movie genres.

For decades, Mel Brooks' parody movies have delivered some hilarious scenes. Brooks has the impressive ability to aim right at the heart of his target. Whether he aims his satirical eye at Westerns, sci-fi movies, or even fascism, he always finds the funniest and most poignant angle. His comedy relies on slapstick, puns and the odd musical number, but most of the humor comes from the truth that he uncovers beneath layers of Hollywood artifice.

The best Mel Brooks movies retain a keen focus on their subjects, like Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles, but Brooks can also conjure great comedy out of thin air. He has...