Slapstick doesn't necessarily relate to the act of committing violence, but rather to the civilized conventions we developed to avoid violence. In caveman days, when one of our ancestors was bothered by another troglodytes obnoxious behavior, our ancestor probably picked up a club and committed murder. So when we see actors play out comedic aggression on the screen, it relieves us of pent up everyday frustrations we encounter without resulting to violence. We wouldn't kick a crying baby or push a slow walking elderly person down the stairs, but WC Fields did it for us and we laughed. All done of course in an exaggerated physical make-believe ritualistic manner. "If it bends it's funny." Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Slapstick hilarity may still be achieved, but it's golden age has passed. After 100 plus years of cinema we've seen every physical bit invented by performers from commedia dell'arte to vaudeville, so we've become somewhat desensitized to the humor. The 21st century audience finds reflective stand up comedians, verbal satire combined with slapstick, or even deconstruction of slapstick (see early Woody Allen films) as our preferred laughter outlet. Action films however, with it's plotless explosions and gratuitous buckets of blood, provide a much more direct to our physical frustrations. "If it breaks it's not funny." Crimes and Misdemeanors.
