Observe and Report [Blu-Ray]

Jody Hill

BY Scott A. GrayPublished Sep 25, 2009

How black do you like your comedy? "Steaming hot and bitter" better be in the equation because there's barely a grain of sugar to sweeten this mug of hysterical rage. Writer/director Jody Hill (The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down) continues his examination of uncouth, overconfident, delusional American males with the creation of bi-polar mall security chief Ronnie Barnhardt. Ronnie isn't a well-adjusted man; he lives with his unapologetically alcoholic mother (played with brilliantly warm indifference by Celia Weston) and uses his position as head of a security force of weird imbeciles to reinforce his ego and desire for hero worship. Ronnie's big chance (with a little package) arrives in the form of a slovenly flasher terrorizing the mall parking lot. When the object of Ronnie's obsession, Brandi (the always-game-for-risky-laughs Anna Farris), is subjected to the dreaded wrinkled prunes sighting, and with Ronnie no closer to solving the case, mall management calls in a big shot detective (the genius casting of Ray Liotta). It quickly becomes a clash assholes, as scenes of mounting inappropriateness stack up to a climax of demented impact, with Ronnie losing his already tenuous grasp on reason. There's no way a sick bastard like Jody Hill is playing it subtle in the age of flaccid cock-shot comedy, so be prepared for more nut-jiggling than a two-legged donkey pulling a peanut cart. Seth Rogen proves himself as an actor, essentially uttering death threats at typecasting with his vicious embodiment of Ronnie, a complete and almost irredeemable asshole who still manages to be oddly sympathetic due to his confused moral compass. Upping the commentary track ante via Blu-Ray, Jody Hill, Seth Rogan and Anna Farris deliver a frequently hilarious picture-in-picture video commentary, spending as much time talking about the quality of crystal meth in Albuquerque as discussing elements of filmmaking. A "Forest Ridge Mall Security Recruitment Video" and mini-"Making Of" are forgettable features but gold abounds in the additional scenes, gag reel and "Seth & Anna Unscripted," which milks yards of extra footage. Depending on taste, Observe and Report is either a fresh, bold, robust comedy for the ages or a reprehensible, mean-spirited, juvenile exercise in political incorrectness. Pass another cup of delicious filth this way!
(Warner)

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