Oberve & Report - "Observational Comedy"
It comes with the usual fodder that is Rogen material ie dick jokes and dead beat characters. There were a few scenes where I was half expecting him to whip out the bong and start making like a smoke machine. I was pleasantly surprised this wasn’t the case this time around. Though a drug-fueled montage with one of his co-workers was included to appease the teen masses I'm sure but ultimately it did nothing to further the plot.
I have commented to friends that I feel Rogen is the new “Adam Sandler” and chuckled to myself when I learnt that they will be both appearing in a movie together later this year, where Adam Sandler effectively hands over the comedy mantle to Rogen during the movie. My referencing Sandler is largely because Sandler took many movies before touching on the drama genre (Reign Over Me) whereas Rogen has decided to attack it relatively early on, as he ads another depth of character to this movie, where I actually felt moved by the events that were unfolding before me. It had a little bit of Riding In Cars With Boys about it which I quite liked.
Anna Faris (Scary Movie franchise, The House Bunny) is great in the role as the object of Rogen’s characters affection. Her blatant sexuality and obvious aversion to Rogens nerdy charisma provides for some amusing awkwardness. The “other woman” competing for Rogen’s affection is an endearing wholesome yet crippled character, who you are manipulated into rooting for from the first time we meet her, in terms of winning Rogen’s heart over the more glamorous Faris.
A surprise supporting role from Ray Liotta helped to elevate this comedy from the usual fare we see from Rogen, however the visual gags and subject matter of a pervert flasher being the main perpetrator in Rogen’s Mall Cop band of misfits adventure ultimately make this a formulaic yet solid comedy of so many errors.
The soundtrack is eclectic and fun, and includes some obscure tracks including some rarely heard Queen music that serves well to compliment the action on screen.
BAM!!
VIEW TRAILER HERE
