I honestly didn't have high expectations for this film - not because of the premise, or the characters, or anything like that, but because of its star. Seth Rogen, to me, is an actor and comedian who succeeds when he's surrounded by people of equal or more talent then him. Unsurprisingly, most of the film's funny moments are delivered by the other characters in the film, while the film also suffers from a completely ridiculous story that brings it down.
I'll get the first obvious factoid out of the way immediately - it's nothing like "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (which I honestly liked better), which was very endearing and family friendly, while "Observe & Report" has to be one of the most awkward and uncomfortable movies I've seen in a very long time. You'll certainly laugh, there's no doubt about it, but it may be more because of the shock value of the scenes than the actual comedic value of them.
In short, this isn't a very enjoyable movie. We've got date rape headlining a controversy spanning Patton Oswalt making fun of a handicapped person throughout the movie, Danny McBride in what appears to be a feeble attempt at blackface makeup, massive amounts of police brutality (though that's actually pretty funny), and child drug dealers. While you're going to laugh at this stuff, it's very uncomfortable to watch, whereas other controversial comedies such as "Tropic Thunder" can get away with it unscathed.
As I said earlier, the film is proof that Rogen isn't quite the leading man most make him out to be. He is funny, don't get me wrong, but his character here is so abominably terrible and repulsive that there's nothing he can do to make us as an audience side with and appreciate his character. The supporting cast is nothing short of great though, as Anna Faris is so underused here that it should be a crime. Michael Pena steals the show in a part I've never even imagined him playing, and he totally pulls it off. Aziz Anzari is also hilarious in a small role, while Patton Oswalt and Danny McBride show up in the best cameos of 2009 thusfar. I definitely think Ray Liotta did this one for a paycheck and a bit of exposure.
Is "Observe & Report" worth a theatrical experience? Not really, as this is probably the worst entry in Rogen's stellar library of roles, as this movie is not likable, enjoyable, or even endurable. I wanted to walk out many times throughout. It's going to get most of its laughs from shock value, and if that's what you like, then I guess you should try it out.
I'll get the first obvious factoid out of the way immediately - it's nothing like "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (which I honestly liked better), which was very endearing and family friendly, while "Observe & Report" has to be one of the most awkward and uncomfortable movies I've seen in a very long time. You'll certainly laugh, there's no doubt about it, but it may be more because of the shock value of the scenes than the actual comedic value of them.
In short, this isn't a very enjoyable movie. We've got date rape headlining a controversy spanning Patton Oswalt making fun of a handicapped person throughout the movie, Danny McBride in what appears to be a feeble attempt at blackface makeup, massive amounts of police brutality (though that's actually pretty funny), and child drug dealers. While you're going to laugh at this stuff, it's very uncomfortable to watch, whereas other controversial comedies such as "Tropic Thunder" can get away with it unscathed.
As I said earlier, the film is proof that Rogen isn't quite the leading man most make him out to be. He is funny, don't get me wrong, but his character here is so abominably terrible and repulsive that there's nothing he can do to make us as an audience side with and appreciate his character. The supporting cast is nothing short of great though, as Anna Faris is so underused here that it should be a crime. Michael Pena steals the show in a part I've never even imagined him playing, and he totally pulls it off. Aziz Anzari is also hilarious in a small role, while Patton Oswalt and Danny McBride show up in the best cameos of 2009 thusfar. I definitely think Ray Liotta did this one for a paycheck and a bit of exposure.
Is "Observe & Report" worth a theatrical experience? Not really, as this is probably the worst entry in Rogen's stellar library of roles, as this movie is not likable, enjoyable, or even endurable. I wanted to walk out many times throughout. It's going to get most of its laughs from shock value, and if that's what you like, then I guess you should try it out.