The Seth Rogen bandwagon is still rolling well into 2009 as he continues his evident quest to play every guy who wants justice among his peers. Following Paul Blart: Mall Cop in March, we’re served another mall-cop comedy, but while Rogen usually has the backing of either himself or Judd Apatow in some creative role, this time he’s all alone. It can’t be said he does this for the people over the money, as the reason for anyone agreeing to be a part of this film is incomprehensible.
Observe and Report sees Rogen play ‘Head of Mall Security’ (because you can’t possibly fuck up his title) Ronnie Barnhardt, who struts around the mall with his posse – sidekick Dennis (Michael Pena) and Asian twins John and Matt (John and Matt Yuan). As if that wasn’t clichéd enough, a pervert (yes, a guy in a trenchcoat revealing himself), along with a string of robberies, disrupts the peace and Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) steps in to sort it out and make an enemy of Ronnie. Throw in potential love interest Anna Faris and a ‘Fuck You’ swear-off and there’s your film.
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Perhaps it’s that Rogen had no creative input in this – that falls to writer-director Jody Hill, whose crudeness is minimal and comedy weak. There are meant to be cheap laughs but they don’t register; sex and violence are just thrown in for the sake of it, while none of the characters are remotely likable. Rogen markets himself as being a lovable arsehole but that’s given no chance of coming across here –Ronnie even acknowledges that his alcoholic mother has nothing nice to say about him! The leading lady doesn’t have much help either, Hill having no competition over Botox, which sadly steals most of Faris’ limelight.
If Observe and Report is remembered for anything at all, it will be the punch-up between Ray Liotta and Seth Rogen. Even this is poorly hyped up (although inevitable), but the altercation is decent – they beat the absolute shit out of each other, probably releasing the frustration of being involved in such a pointless film. The performances aren’t necessarily bad, but Liotta has it over Rogen just a little because he’s at least used to playing the bad guy. There’s nothing holding this film together – the plot wanders as Ronnie ponders his way through the bore that is his life, while the leading man himself is not lovable, but just an arsehole. You feel confused as to who the bad guy really is when you see Seth Rogen kicking some whoop-ass on criminals, not rewarded as you should be for sitting through it, or intrigued because that’s relatively new territory for him.
Verdict:
Shame on you Seth Rogen, this is an absolute cop-out (pun intended).The report finds that this can not be called a comedy because it’s not funny. Avoid.
Observe and Report opens in Australia on Thursday May 14th.
Follow the author Katina Vangopoulos on Twitter.
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I'm not sure what to think of this. I didn't think it was Rogens better movies, but it wasn't terrible. It didn't have the lines to quotes and zings you would expect. What I did think was funny was the darkness and twisted comedy style to it, mainly with the shock and awe value the comedy brought. That aspect made it funny, not the movie itself.
Posted on April 15th, 2009 at 1:06 am
i agree – with everything
Posted on April 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Thanks go to Erin…
Craig, i just didn't think it was very smart, which is something most come to expect from comedy, even crude comedy, now. I'm surprised you thought there were shocks, I certainly didn't register any of them – if there's no reaction to a full-frontal of a really unattractive man then what is the point? Rogen is talented but even he couldn't save the totally shit material. Not his fault – everyone works best with their own creations…
Posted on April 15th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
You know, I didn't mind this film.
It's similarities to Paul Blart Mall Cop is uncanny, but unlike that film, this was actually (dare I say) funny. Better than Zack and Miri even (mind you, this wasn't that great).I actually found the first 40 or so minutes quite funny and engaging, regardless of it being mostly plotless. I think Rogen played his character very well; he uses his naive charm to make an easily wankerish character somewhat likeable. I was certainly amused by the tension between Rogen and Liotta. It was also fun to hate Anna Farris' overstated character. Although, the drunk mother was probably the highlight.
The film derails spectacularly at the end though…how does a man who assaults two dozen police officers simply walk out of jail, let alone get re-employed? The film was funny when it was at it's most verbally stupid, not most physically violent.
Overall though, It's essentially a dark comedy, and I somewhat liked it for it. 3.5 stars
Posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
3.5? Really? Ok, I'll admit that Liotta being paired with Rogen was intriguing, but that this film's better than Zack and Miri? Now that film wasn't the greatest, but at least the audience got more out of Rogen than here. As I said above, not saying it's his fault – it's a result of underwhelming material.
I was just really disappointed. I expected laughs, was counting on them, but none came out
Posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I found this Rogen's funniest film in a while. I think it's just that stupid, verbally crass humour that appeals to me. Zack and Miri failed harness it's comic potential…I mean seriously, if I get bored watching a movie about porn, something's not right. It also helps that Paul Blart was terrible, because it makes this looks so god in comparison.
Posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
no one seemed to mention the homage to Scorsese's Taxi Driver, the similarities jumped out at me straight away and I think thats what made it so enjoyable. I also liked the dark tones to this film. despite a few scenes which were probably just a cheap excuse for a crude laugh. overall I would prefer to see Rogen do something a little different like this, i wanna see him play the characters, not just himself.
Posted on March 20th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
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