Boring

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Jody Hill's 2009 Dark Farcical Comedy Observe and Report follows Ronnie Barnhardt, the bipolar head of mall security at a mall that has been repeatedly targetted by a streaker. Deciding to disregard the police and higher authorities, Ronnie takes the case into his own hands and adopts a by-any-means attitude towards stopping the menace.This underrated pitch black and comedic picture beautifully casts Seth Rogen in the starring role, and in return, he offers the greatest acting performance of his career to date. This incredibly complex character is taken under the wing by Rogen with finesse and shows to be a role sculpted perfectly for this actor, usually associated with hilarious yet two-dimensional personalities (which often adds to the humour). This brutally funny performance is supported by a type-cast Ray Liotta, playing a stereotypical detective persona, the likes of which Scorsese films contain. This film does not only play a beautiful parodic homage to great 'vigilante justice' and violent cop thrillers such as Scorsese's 1976 Crime/Drama Taxi Driver and Don Siegel's 1971 Action/Thriller Dirty Harry, but it also pulls up the curtain on issues surrounding violence and gun law in America, issues that hold grave resonance right now. Barnhardt grows progressively violent throughout the film, from beating up drug addicts with a baton, building up to his pivotal use of a firearm at the climax on somebody comitting a felony of dissimilar proportions. This still however does not stop him from regaining his job as a mall security guard. Sure, he didn't gain a job as a police officer, but as he demonstrates throughout the film, Barnhardt dominates the mall, and uses methods similar or much more extreme than law enforcement to maintain 'order'. This highlights underscoring themes relating to power-play, who has the authority to inflict violence, and when is power given put into the wrong hands. Hill also questions how we as an audience interpret the violence: 'are we enjoying watching Ronnie's comeuppance?' 'Are we entertained by the often sadistic acts?', important rhetorical questions regarding our morality and curiosity as humans.This film is absolutely hilarious, and still drills deep into current social issues and the darker side of policing and the protection of the general public; a remarkable hidden gem.

So, if you're used to Seth Rogan's films you'll probably expect a stoner comedy, written on rizla with all the wit and class of a billionaire US president...However, this is a genuinely good film. It's dark - with an offbeat sensibility, but, I highly recommend it it if you haven't had a lobotomy and can appreciate a subtlety you won't often see - especially from it's lead.It has a disgustingly low score here - probably because mouth breathers are expecting something like the cinematic equivalent of opium...this reminded me more of something akin to the Cornetto trilogy...you'll like it if you get half the jokes, but if you can pick up on underlying humour then I think you'll like it more.Not necessarily a cerebral movie, but definitely above average and a hidden gem for those who have seen the same thing over and over from the likes of Happy Madison et al.

At first glance an inevitable comparison to the Kevin James vehicle 'Paul Blart' springs to mind. To be fair you wouldn't be all that far off either, the whole basis for this film is very similar lets be honest. Both characters are working as security men in a mall and are wannabe cops. Both characters are portrayed as taking their job way too seriously when in reality they are merely shop attendants in a blue uniform. And both characters try to change their lives by applying for a job on the police force despite everyone thinking they haven't got a chance.So yeah its pretty similar, the only major difference is the fact Rogen's character in this film is more unhinged and eerily prone to violent anger outbursts. This of course can be hilarious at times with Rogen's great comic personality and chubby features, but at the same time its also a bit disturbing and uncomfortable too.There are plenty of scenes in this which made me laugh out loud, the way Ronnie (Rogen) organises his small team of security men with the up most importance, as if they were special ops. His awkwardness around sexy perfume saleswoman Brandi (Farris perfectly cast as your typical airhead blonde...again), the way he acts with jealousy around real cop 'Harrison' (Liotta), his ongoing feud with Arab shopkeeper Saddamn and the way he exposes himself as slightly deranged, depressive and possibly dangerous to various people, especially in the police psychological examination.On the flip side there are times when the film feels ugly vicious a bit sad and over the top with the violence, profanity and blood. The sequence where Rogen's character takes Brandi out for a meal, she gets drunk and then they end up having sex, is rather dubious. Why? because Brandi is completely out of it and vomiting whilst Ronnie is banging her. It does seem a tad like rape, but at the same time the sight of Farris' head lurching to one side with puke on the pillow whilst Ronnie goes at it is amusing I can't deny, a nervous laugh there.There are other moments throughout which seem to go a bit too far also, showing 'Ronnie's' anger, the fight with the cops and Liotta's character, and the finale for the flasher. Its all kinda funny but kinda edgy too, at times you're thinking is it OK to laugh at this?Saying this is a dark comedy is an understatement, its darkly dark alright and Rogen's cynical, sinister, in your face performance will either leave you laughing, cogitating or hating. I think I prefer this over the Kevin James film simply because Rogen's performance is appealing to me here plus this film is more grounded ('Blart' goes down that 'Die Hard' route). The ending is a bit simple and anti climatic but its a totally fun and rather controversial ride to get there.6/10

Observe and Report is a decent movie with a good storyline and a great comedic cast.It certainly isn't a perfect or even great comedy but it is still very watchable and has plenty of genuinely funny scenes.This movie came out around the same time as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and a lot of people complained about how similar they are,while,they are both about mall cops,this movie is way better and is not very similar to the other movie,this has a lot of black comedy and it dosen't try to make you feel sorry for the character constantly,also Seth Rogen is a much more likable main role than Kevin James is.It certainly isn't a great or outstanding comedy,and nowhere near some of Rogen's best work,but Observe and Report is still quite funny at times,and is worth the worth if you're looking for a quick comedy.A delusional mall cop tries to solve the case of a mystery flasher who stalks his mall and the girl he likesBest Performance: Seth Rogen