This week we’re trying something different – regular Screen Rant reader “Walwus” felt so strongly about Observe & Report that he felt compelled to send us his quite extensive thoughts on the film. It was so thoughtful and complete that I decided to post it as a guest review.
Read on for his not so favorable view of Observe & Report…
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Observe & Report can’t decide if it wants to be in the comedy, drama or crime genre. It sticks it toe into each pool and suffers from never completely diving into any of those genres fully.
I was expecting a Pineapple Express-style comedy, or maybe a raunchy twist on Paul Blart: Mall Cop – but this comes close to neither film. Jody Hill writes and directs this and completely misses the mark. Done properly this could have been the Napoleon Dynamite of mall cops – with a raunchy drug-fused, sex-filled twist, but it falls way flat.
There a few laugh-out-loud moments in the film, but most of the time it plays painfully awkward as Rogen attempts to carry the majority of the dialog. 80-90% of the jokes are predictable, save for two or three near the end, one of which you would rather not see coming at all. I will admit to being thrown off a couple of times while trying to pick out what I assume were the bad guys but really that just made me enjoy the film even less.
Rogen can’t decide how to play Ronnie: At times he’s a super-badass and at other a complete moron. They try to explain away the inconsistencies with one line in the film about him having bi-polar disorder and then it’s never brought up again.
Hill surrounds Rogen with sub-par, underdeveloped characters: The Yuen brothers, a geri-curled Mexican guy and a slightly Albino Matt Damon lookalike, none of which serve much of a purpose in the film except for the Mexican guy – and even his role isn’t very well explained. I can actually picture the brainstorming session where the hashed out Michael Pena’s character:
“We need to make this guy stand out more, what should we do?”
“How about a bad geri-curl, a lisp, some effeminate traits and mix in some gang signs for good measure?”
“DONE!”
Huh? Talk about a completely mixed up character. The lack of originality continues with the underused Yuan brothers, Matt and John, real life names Yuan; on screen names, Yuen. Seriously, that’s the best they could do. The dialog between these guys is so bad and poorly thought out that a scene between Ronnie and Saddamm is 60 seconds of F you’s back and forth that felt like a rip off of a Family Guy episode by going on way longer than it needed to.
Next is the poorly written Brandi, Anna Faris. She is much more talented then what is she given to work with her. How many times must she play a cleavage exposing, pill-popping, drunken slut? She’s quickly becoming Hollywood’s go-to girl for those roles and I’m not sure that’s the best thing for her career. She can play sexy without slutty and still get plenty of laughs. Her character even manages to get dated raped during the film which is sort of how I felt while watching this whole mess. The scene in question has feminists all up-in-arms but I wonder why they chose this film to protest and not the scene in “Hustle and Flow” where Terrance Howard has one of his girls trick for a piece of sound equipment.
Ray Liotta should not have been in this film at all. It’s as if someone told him that he would be in a sex scene with Anna and all he did was wait for the scene to happen so he could get paid and go home. Not that I can blame him, his character is written like every other hard-nosed, big bully cop that he has ever played so it’s not like he had to try very hard. After awhile that has to get old. His work in “Narc” was fantastic but this is as bad or worse as his character in “In the Name of the King”.
Hill tries too hard to push the boundaries or political incorrectness and it shows. Jokes range from Ronnie’s mother being a drunken whore and sleeping with his high school friends to Ronnie getting high and kicking the crap out of 15 year olds skateboarding in the parking lot. These just get lost because Hill doesn’t focus on one brand of humor and stick with it.
Lastly, the full frontal nudity has to be addressed. There is an unsettling trend happening in Hollywood right now where the producers are getting the idea that their male audience between the ages of 18 – 35 actually WANT to see full frontal male nudity. Just too clear things up, WE DO NOT! There is a huge difference between women seeing another girl doing full frontal nudity in a non-sexual type scene during a film than there is with a guy doing the same type of scene. My friends and I found ourselves staring away from the screen during the last few minutes of the film, and honestly is that what you want your audience doing? Between this and “Watchmen”’s CGI blue schlong, I’m beginning to think Hollywood might be listening to the wrong feedback groups.
Let’s hope Funny People is much better than this movie. Save your money and see Taken again.
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46 Comments
Whoa.
I have heard the same talk around that it is a comedy that misses its mark.
Great review.
I think I will go see “Taken” again.
Also, I wonder if the male nudity thing started with the small bits of comedy it was supposed to represent in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
woah, im sorry but that was a horrible review. And the last part was just stupid, who the hell told you that women like watching other women naked? Im not saying I like seeing wiener on the big screen but you cant say its ok to have naked women but its wrong to have naked men. His bi-polar was addressed, it came when he decided to beat the crap out of all the cops. And the F U part was funny as hell!!!
I will be watching this film tomorrow becuz I like Seth Rogen.
Vic I 100% percent agree that this penis phase of Hollywood is a bit annoying, especially becuz the MPAA wants to put X ratings on film that dont show a vagina with a baby coming out (Knocked Up and Doctor T and The women).
@Oscar
I think point was that if women aren’t forced to have to see the inside of the vagina in a scene as Vic described it, why should men be forced to a penis dangling on screen?
I totally agree with this review, and I still found it funny and worth the money, which is weird, I liked it but didn’t at the same time, hmm I think I’m bipolar now.
@Oscar
I know you disagree with my point of view but I chuckled when you said “wiener”. There are certain words in the English vernacular that are just funny no matter how they are used and wiener is one of them.
My point with the naked women is they react differently than men do when seeing other men naked. Women don’t typically turn away in disgust when another woman is naked on screen. Men on the other hand do.
I didn’t think they were addressing his bi-polar disorder with the mall beat down scene. That whole part didn’t make sense to me or my friends. Why would they call 9 or 10 cops to remove one mall cop from a mall? He wasn’t on a rampage or anything, so I didn’t get it.
Oh well, to each his own. Glad you enjoyed it though.
This is one film I have 0 interest in but real good review Walwus,,, you have the shinning,,,
In a good way !!!
On a seperate note, I had no problem with Dr M, in Watchmen. If that bothers some people that’s something they need to think deep about because its a personal insecurity complex.
Then I did look away at that scene in Harold & Kumar 2, but that’s because it was just gross!
I was looking forward to this, kinda, so I’m sad to hear that it falls short. On the other hand, I have to agree with Oscar that Walwus’ passionate aversion towards male nudity isn’t relevant to the quality of the film. It’s ridiculous to assert that female nudity is somehow “okay” and male nudity is somehow “not okay,” or that men “typically” turn away in disgust from male nudity. This is simply not true, even if you discount the significant number of men who identify as gay or bisexual, or who just engage in these behaviors.
As a woman, I appreciate nudity from both sexes in movies because it represents a piece of reality and makes the film more authentic. Most people walk around naked at least some of the time, and there’s no director choosing to keep the camera focused above the neck.
Personally I’m in favor of the trend towards full frontal male nudity, because it’s beginning to equalize the massive amount of female nudity in films. Plus it’s just plain fun to see people naked.
Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful review, but please do rethink the whole “oh noes, pen0rs!” point of view. It’s a little primitive.
@Liz
The naked man junk was not what made this movie below par for me but more of a side note as to the trend that Hollywood seems to be setting. A naked woman has always been more acceptable by the movie going masses simply because the women being shown naked are always, and there are very few exceptions to this, very beautiful and appealing to the eye. The men on the other hand, not so much. Male nudity in mainstream films is almost exclusively used for comedic effect, where as female nudity is for sexual reasons. As far as equality goes between men and women, you are correct. You will have a hard time finding some of Hollywood’s most sought leading men doing full frontal nudity, Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp, they know they don’t need to. You might catch a bare butt from them but will never see “willie”. Women on the other hand are almost expected to do at least one bare butt scene and bare breast scene in their movie career to be considered normal. Some of the more liberal ladies will even agree to a full frontal and even though they are told it’s to be done with respect do they honestly believe that?
I have no problems with male nudity, I also have no problems with goats having sex, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch either of them on the big screen.
I completely disagree with the frontal nudity, actually. Trust me when I say I’m not gay or attracted to men at all, but I think you all have serious issues if you have trouble seeing a penis on screen. Oh, tons of boobs are okay, right? The more the merrier? Throw in a couple extremely brief phallic scenes and suddenly everyone’s up in arms.
Grow up guys. I don’t PREFER to see dick, but I’m not gonna cry if I do see it. I actually enjoy that people are finally getting comfortable putting this stuff on screen.
“Watchmen” is the exception to the full frontal rule Walwus,,,
As far as I can tell he was only that way in front of his colleagues… To dwell on that is pretty immature…
Point taken 790. But did they have to make it digitally “Sway” lol.
Gravity was the only force that seemed to effect Dr. Manhattan…
Have you ever seen “Bad Lieutenant” Walwus ???
*Snort* at gravity! I’ve never heard of it but I’ll check it out on Netflix if it’s available. You’re talking to the guy that purposely saw Bloodrayne in the theater even though I knew Uwe Bolle directed it. It’s like putting my hand on a red hot stove as a child. I know it’s gonna burn but I have to do it anyway. I’ll pretty much give anything a chance.
Ahhh Bloodrayne I have the 2 disc movie/video game dvd set.
I picked it up used in mint condition for $2.99,,,,
Look out !!!
Sounds like it’s as much fun as slamming your penis in a car door.
Not seeeing this.I would see Taken but its not in my theater anymore!:(
Walwus,
Thanks for verifying my instincts on this.
I will DEFINITELY skip it now!
I took my girlfriend to see this movie last night and was very disappointed. At least 20% of the audience left before the movie ended. At no time during the movie you define what the actual plot is and there are too many unrelated and underdeveloped characters. The full male nudity was not necessary and even if it did serve to get a few laughs (which was desperately needed at that point in time,) there was no need for it to run on as long as it did. I have really enjoyed Rogens work in the past, however this one falls far short of funny. Save your money for something else.
Your review is how many people will feel. First off the film did hold my attention throughout which is a plus but its not really a comedy. Rogen’s character is a really sick and disturbed person and its hard to feel comfortable watching him as the film goes along. This is like Cable Guy ( a film I like) times 10. On one level I liked it and on another I didn’t. It a very weird mix. The mainstream Sat night crowd will not like this film and it will do a very quick fade from theaters. As you can tell from many of the movie sites, there reviews are very positive because they are drinking the Seth Rogen kool-aid. What else is new. So for me a mixed bag. Its certainly different. It’s an interesting character study dancing on a comedic line but the comedy doesn’t really work. Although Rogen holds the screen and keeps you interested. I also think many sites are drinking the Anna Faris kool-aid. She does the same over the top act in every film she is in. I don’t really get her appeal to some. 5.75 out of 10. PS- the 10 minute full frontal male nude scene at the end is unlike anything Ive ever seen before. Its somewhat funny but will stun many moviegoers.
chuck
Sorry, I’m with Walwus on this one. I don’t go to movies to be learn how to deal with penis aversion issues – I go to be entertained. It DOES seem like Hollywood is trying to “educate” us poor, neanderthal hetero guys who have no desire to see that on screen.
I don’t know if it’s primal or what, but guys have always been more uncomfortable with seeing other guys naked than women are seeing other women naked. Whatever the reason, not wanting to see that in a movie doesn’t make us backward, repressed or whatever other smug, condescending terms may be lobbed at us “regular” guys.
Vic
@ Vic
Again I still agree with you with this forcing of penis upon us.
@ Liz
Sorry but I have seen some women’s bits that are very comedic looking.
As for the film it is a hit and miss. I guess i can identify with it more because I was a former security guard (minus the bi polar, minus the mall). At one point in time every one who is or has been a security guard definitely wants to beat the hell out of the mall/neighborhood kids for the lack of respect and the challenging, hell just everyday showing disrespect because they know u can’t really do much is enough to make them fantasize at least once. I think the film would have been better without the bi-polar disorder bit because I have known/know security guards with that extreme way of thinking just because they take their job too seriously. Yes Anna Faris’s part was somewhat minimal. I’m scared/interested at what the unrated dvd might hold, but more scared. I say it’s worth the watch if u like Seth Rogen.
Main character was unsympathetic. Couldn’t get past the numerous, obvious plot holes. Tedious. Lack of direction. Big disappointment.
I love the insecurity complex explanation to everything. So basically under that rule, everyone with a big penis will love to watch movies full of male penis. NOBODY with a big penis will buy a sports car or a big truck.
Yep, all of those must be true for that rule to be correct. So you tell me.
You can tell those concepts come from female psychologists because they conveniently exclude women from being overly simplified since women don’t have penises…
This movie was the most culturally and morally bankrupt piece of &%$# I have ever wasted my money on. I am incredibly sorry that I supported this movie and wasted an hour of my life sitting through half of it. Comedies generally can get away with some controversial material if they’re funny. But watching someone in a position of authority beat up minors, take pictures of women changing, and shoot up drugs while working is not funny. I’m sorry. If this movie is a “fresh face for Hollywood” then &%$# Hollywood.
People who can’t handle full frontal nudity, especially concerning people who don’t look that bad, are saying far more about themselves than they are about movie-makers.
Females have been gratuitously nude, often for no apparent reason in some scenes, in movies for decades, and in movies all the way DOWN to pg-13. And as far as the “blue schlong” of Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen, get a life. This guy was human, and basically metamorphosed into a poor man’s GOD. He didn’t NEED clothes anymore, get it???? The guy can traverse galaxies, and some people think he should be wearing a loincloth. That’s not only stupid thinking, it’s pathetic. Go watch some more PIXAR movies, and I hear Disney films is hiring. Let the adult films, to the adults.
Walwus, would you say that this film is just a bunch of skits thrown together instead of actually having an actual plot? If so I really do hate that.
Paul Rudd’s lastest, I Love You Man, and Role Models before it, had the ‘by-the-numbers’ plotline of usual comedies, but it actually had a plot and a story than watching ’skits’ thrown in together for 90 minute movie.
If I wanted that, I’d watch a rerun of MadTV.
@charles darwin
Then why did Dr. Manhattan wear a covering in some parts of the film?
@TieDye76
He was unsympathetic because he was bi polar mostly, and security officers are trained to be unbiased and unsympathetic to most situations. They have have to follow the rules and regs which aren’t based on feelings of other people, that’s not to say that common sense shouldn’t be used. Not saying it was the greatest role that Rogen has done, or his best comedy, but I think the character was played as how it should of been.
@foclanded
The reason it was funny (or supposed to be funny), was that it went against everything the character stood for as far as his Job of Observing and Reporting was concerned, plus the fact that the other guy was offering to help him cope and relax . Seriously though some of those little minors need a good beat down for some of the things they do to people, and realistically there are people who shoot up and smoke at their jobs so it’s not that far fetched. Not saying you are wrong on any account just trying to shed some light.
Sorry but I died laughing when he shot that guy at the end.
Charles Darwin is right. Maturity in movies is about showing nudity. Not about a deep and rich story or acting that shows great emotiona and complexity. Nope, none of that crap, it’s all about seeing a guy’s schlong, that’s what makes a movie a movie for adults. Otherwise it’s an immature PIXAR movie.
@Ken J – nicely done.
Anytime nudity distracts from a movie, it was probably a bad move – and more times than not, male frontal nudity is an unwelcome distraction.
I really enjoyed Watchmen. But seeing Dr. Manhattan’s manhood [i]added[/i] nothing (good/useful) to the story (his detachment to humanity was expressed in several ways). It hurts the movie every time someone makes mention of it, instead of something like the outstanding performance by Jackie Earl Haley.
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