This is an Amazing french film that predates Modern Times and arguably forms the basis of the plot for that film. It uses visuals to emphasize the thematic notions of the modern world that is emerging and how it is extremely ridiculous at times. This movie marks the beginning of satire in a way. While there had been social commentary films throughout the 1920's, many using humour to make their point (Chaplin is the most notable filmmaker doing this) none are so blatantly satirical in nature as this film. The film is full of life, and attacks the class divide between wealthy and poor in a way that foreign films of the 1930’s were doing but that American films were not touching upon.
It uses sound in a way that enhances the narrative and plays with the audiences understanding of what is going on. You can clearly see the influence this film had on Jacques Tati later on in his own satirizing works. Charlie Chaplin definitely watched this movie and took a few notes on how to employ sound in creating comedy in sequences depicting technological innovation. There are many key moments where the sounds of the machines are blatantly swapped with something more farcical in nature or heightened or repeated in ways that completely make fun of the automation process making it look ridiculous and silly rather than awe-inspiring.