Observed and Reported: Meh
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After watching the new Seth Rogan romp, Observe and Report (OaR), I thought to myself “Finally! A movie with more penis than Watchmen - and without the distraction of good plot and effects!”
Ronnie’s (Rogan) full frontal foe wasn’t anywhere as ominous as Doc Manhattan, but was gross out humor in the style of Jonah Hill with menstruation blood on his pants. You don’t expect writer/director Jody Hill to go there, but of course he must, yet with set up that drains most of the shock value. The villain is the first character we see, so you know what to expect.
Hill has done little so far besides apparently soak up the comedic style of writer buds Rogan and Goldberg (Superbad) and try to mix it with Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited). Transitions with eclectic rock segue and ridiculous slow motion establishing shots combined with a partially dramatic theme. I’ve heard some consider Anderson too deadpan or subtle with his quasi-cinema verite style, but OaR uses abrupt humor with it to make an uneven presentation. Feel justified for not seeing it? You may be right. There was another mall cop flick out at the same time, Adam Sandler produced Paul Blart. Didn’t see that one yet, but if it’s got a full comedy commitment like Grandma’s Boy or Zohan that’s probably the better of these two mall set flicks.
Rogan’s protagonist Ronnie Barnhardt, head of mall security, is stereotypical but well fleshed out. You know the kid that gets picked on a lot but gets tougher in his insecurity? That’s the type of asshole Barnhardt is: delusional obnoxious but with a chip on his shoulder that explains why he acts more like an FBI supervisor than someone with a plastic badge that‘s meant to observe and report on shopping crimes more than apprehend. The portrayal is decent at showing the weakness through the puffed up façade. It really helps the overall movie but mires the comedy with this sad character that you feel for but must laugh at.
Anna Faris is chuckle worthy as the slutty mean-girl love interest Brandi. Ray Liotta plays the cop role with drab effect of someone that’s just phoning it in. Michael Pena, of crash and other serious dramatic roles, is very funny as Dennis - the lisping, accented, slacker jherri curl sporting right hand man of Ronnie. He’s under used for most of the movie and then gone after a short time in the spotlight. No one else really shines in this and is the only zany side character besides Brandi. “You goan die!” Line of the movie, but Hill should’ve brought more.
OaR is billed as a comedy/action/drama and its main problem is the latter two muddles the first category. The protagonist is ridiculously self-righteous but with acknowledged serious mental issues. The action sequences are decent but few and far between. Overall, it feels like Jody Hill needs more experience and Rogan starred in this as a favor to a friend. Check out Paul Blart instead - a sight unseen better comedy - or watch another suburban classic like Mallrats.
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