Review: Observe and Report (2009)

Director: Jody Hill (The Foot Fist Way)

Cast: Seth Rogan (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas, Blow), Anna Faris (Scary Movie, The House Bunny), Michael Pena (Shooter, The Shield), Dan Bakkedahl, Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights), Collette Wolfe, Celia Weston (Alice, Junebug), Aziz Ansari (Human Giant, Funny People)

The Deal: Ronnie Barnhardt (Rogan) is bipolar and head of security at the Forest Ridge Mall, and he takes his job very seriously. When the mall becomes plagued by a flasher, Ronnie becomes determined to catch the pervert and sees it as a chance to show off his cop skills and impress the make-up girl, Brandi (Faris). Unfortunately, he has to go head to head with a local police detective (Liotta), and all the odds seem to be stacked against him.

Thoughts: It seems strange that two films about mall cops (the other being Paul Blart) would come out at the exact same time, especially when neither has much positive buzz. Observe and Report is dirtier and more serious, but somehow even less funny and entertaining than its counterpart. I don't recall laughing for even a second while watching this, and I kept looking at the clock hoping more time had passed. The plot can't keep focused, never knowing if it's about catching the pervert, Ronnie hating the detective, Ronnie trying to join the police academy, or Ronnie trying to find true love. They are all intended to be intertwined, but they end up feeling like their own separate films and draw attention away from each other, making it seem as if there is no point to the film.

Seth Rogan was pretty much being himself throughout the film. He likes to talk dirty and act macho, and he pulls it off well here, but it's not really that great of a performance. As for Anna Faris, well, she was quite awful. She was so over-the-top and her character became annoying all of 10 seconds into her first scene. Liotta doesn't do much in the film other than be a jerk detective who wants to see Ronnie fail. He plays the part well, but it's nothing special. Aziz Ansari doesn't have much screen time, but he's the closest thing this film has to comedy. I never really laughed at him, but I almost came close once.

If the film did one thing right, it was the fight scenes. Ronnie knows how to wield his night stick and flashlight to inflict maximum damage. He takes out a group of street thugs, and does a solid job against a hoard of police officers. They were ridiculous scenes, but still by far the most entertaining moments of the film.

Verdict: Ridiculous performances, a scattered plot, and a complete lack of entertainment plague the film. Paul Blart wasn't very good, and this is far far worse. It's only saving grace is maybe two minutes worth of fight scenes. Don't waste your time, even if you aren't paying a thing. ☆1/2