Spring Break
REVIEW: 'Observe and Report' is typical Seth Rogen flick
3 out of 5 stars
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Focus
In this age of American history - one of political and economic crisis - two things are certain: we are all in need of a hero, and he must be as inane as possible. This year alone has produced two such heroes in the guises of mall cops, but one mall cop certainly stands above the rest, even hinting to the heroes of yesteryear.
While "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" might share the same "mall cop on a mission" concept, "Observe and Report" is completely different.
"Observe and Report," seems to be a comedy in the same sense as other Seth Rogen vehicles such as "Pineapple Express" with a bit of comedy and bromance here, and a bit of inane violence there, is dark in vein. Ronnie Barnhardt, with a name as ridiculous sounding as "Paul Blart," is a seemingly overeager security guard at a local mall, but his overeager behavior proves to be a bit more nonsensical.
He is a man on a mission, but more of an anti-hero than a hero to rescue the day. Like the mentally disturbed Travis Bickle in 1976s "Taxi Driver," Barnhardt is set on saving the world from evil-doers. Just as pensive DeNiro rides around New York in his taxi, Barnhardt rides around the mall parking lot in his security golf cart searching for penis-flashing perverts.
Yes, it is ridiculous, but in this consumer culture, malls and Wal-Marts seem to be Meccas for shopping. The self-important Barnhardt feels entitled to make this concept even funnier.
This proves to be Rogen's film as the supporting cast, though humorous, does not stand out. Anna Faris, who stars as the wonderfully slutty cosmetics clerk Brandi, has moments of true humor, but does not get enough onscreen time and soon becomes irrelevant to the plot. Other underused supporting characters include the lisping second-in-command Dennis (Michael Peña), a born-again mall worker named Nell (Collette Wolfe) and the wonderfully awkward Yuen twins (John and Matt Yuan).
The plot twists and turns from trying to find the serial flasher, to trying to discover who is stealing from shops at the mall and to watching Barnhardt's date with his dream girl, Brandi. He also attempts to redefine himself as a cop to disastrous results in the same vein as Travis Bickle's attempt at a date in "Taxi Driver."
While it seems to be an interesting character study and full of riotous laughs and classic one-liners all the way through the film (written and directed by Jody Hill) doesn't seem to live up to its full potential as a humorous and intelligent film on par with the recent Apatow influenced comedies. A few more heartfelt moments, such as the ones between Barnhardt and Nell and Barnhardt and his mother (Celia Weston) might have made the film warm rather than dark.
"Observe and Report" stands alone as a unique film-going experience despite its faults. It's like a wild taxi ride into a mall-crazed world, with an ending that will make you say, "What just happened?" but all in a good way.
While "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" might share the same "mall cop on a mission" concept, "Observe and Report" is completely different.
"Observe and Report," seems to be a comedy in the same sense as other Seth Rogen vehicles such as "Pineapple Express" with a bit of comedy and bromance here, and a bit of inane violence there, is dark in vein. Ronnie Barnhardt, with a name as ridiculous sounding as "Paul Blart," is a seemingly overeager security guard at a local mall, but his overeager behavior proves to be a bit more nonsensical.
He is a man on a mission, but more of an anti-hero than a hero to rescue the day. Like the mentally disturbed Travis Bickle in 1976s "Taxi Driver," Barnhardt is set on saving the world from evil-doers. Just as pensive DeNiro rides around New York in his taxi, Barnhardt rides around the mall parking lot in his security golf cart searching for penis-flashing perverts.
Yes, it is ridiculous, but in this consumer culture, malls and Wal-Marts seem to be Meccas for shopping. The self-important Barnhardt feels entitled to make this concept even funnier.
This proves to be Rogen's film as the supporting cast, though humorous, does not stand out. Anna Faris, who stars as the wonderfully slutty cosmetics clerk Brandi, has moments of true humor, but does not get enough onscreen time and soon becomes irrelevant to the plot. Other underused supporting characters include the lisping second-in-command Dennis (Michael Peña), a born-again mall worker named Nell (Collette Wolfe) and the wonderfully awkward Yuen twins (John and Matt Yuan).
The plot twists and turns from trying to find the serial flasher, to trying to discover who is stealing from shops at the mall and to watching Barnhardt's date with his dream girl, Brandi. He also attempts to redefine himself as a cop to disastrous results in the same vein as Travis Bickle's attempt at a date in "Taxi Driver."
While it seems to be an interesting character study and full of riotous laughs and classic one-liners all the way through the film (written and directed by Jody Hill) doesn't seem to live up to its full potential as a humorous and intelligent film on par with the recent Apatow influenced comedies. A few more heartfelt moments, such as the ones between Barnhardt and Nell and Barnhardt and his mother (Celia Weston) might have made the film warm rather than dark.
"Observe and Report" stands alone as a unique film-going experience despite its faults. It's like a wild taxi ride into a mall-crazed world, with an ending that will make you say, "What just happened?" but all in a good way.
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