Observe and Report

I'm a big fan of Seth Rogen. Absolutely loved him in 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Pinepalle Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. This one however, I'm a bit divided. As a dark comedy, this is as dark as it goes. Let me start this one off by saying if it wasn't for the second half of the movie, I would have given this movie a 3/10. I felt tempted to take out the DVD but I stayed and thankfully the second half was the saving grace for the movie. Observe and Report tells the story of Ronnie Barnhardth (Seth Rogen) who as head of mall security finds his calling when a flasher terrorises Forest Ridge Mall parking lot. In an attempt to catch the perpetrator and win the girl of his dreams (Anna Faris), Ronnie and his rag tag team of security guards have to use their wits to beat the bad guy while having to compete with Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta). The premise seems simple enough but the one thing that makes this film stand out would be Rogen's character. He's a messed up complicated delusional incompetent guy who has all the makings of an underdog. Let me be a bit blunt here. In the first half of the film, Ronnie was unlikeable. Period. Throughout, the first half I was literally getting raped in my head continually spewing the "WTF" phrase over and over. I didn't get him. I just didn't like him.

Most of the first half looked and felt like shit. The editing was off, the jokes were off and even Liotta who should be a stand out was off. However, a big however, the second half seemed as if it was written and directed by an entirely different person altogether. Jody Hill who wrote and directed this film may have a split personality disorder. This being his second film, Hill shows some promise. In the second half, the film takes a darker turn. Everything falls apart for Ronnie who seems to be losing it as time goes by as he becomes increasingly delusional (due to not taking his meds anymore) and violent. The standout moment would be the confrontation between Ronnie and Harrision. There is a subtle message embedded within the film. You just have to find it. It really was interesting. And dare I say it, Observe and Report could be a smart movie (second half though).

Rogen brings an intensity into the character, you never know what he's gonna do. The relationship developed between Ronnie and his second in command, Dennis (Michael Pena) should be applauded as it brings up questions of what life is about and the principles that hold life together. Like I mentioned before, Anna Faris is in the movie. And here me right when I say I don't like Anna Faris at all as an actress. Although, some might say that she sort of fits the role of an annoying dumb as hell bimbo, I just don't like her. I don't know if it's real though but she has some big boobs.

Also included to the ending chase scene was my all time favourite song but covered by a different artist. I would have prefered if the used the original 'Where is my Mind' by the Pixies. Before I forget, there is some controversy surrounding the film, especially the date rape scene. But in my honest opinion, it was just part of the joke. Its nothing too serious. Overall, it was a very very interesting film but it would have been a much better film if the first half was half as good as the second half which supports the half of the other half's half. I give it a 6/10

Postitives: Second Half, Interesting analogy, Rogen's character, Where is my Mind

Negatives: First Half (Bad editing, Bad jokes, Just a normalised WTF stamp of approval)