Blu-Ray Review: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris in Hilarious ‘Observe and Report’

CHICAGO – All of you DVD and Blu-Ray buyers who lament the neverending flow of slapstick comedies that basically all feel and look the same owe it to director Jody Hill and star Seth Rogen to rent or buy “Observe and Report,” one of the best comedies of the year to date and one of the most daring movies of the last several years.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

The ads made “Observe and Report” look like nothing more than a variation on “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” or, even more inaccurately, a romantic comedy with Rogen and co-star Anna Faris. Audiences weren’t sure what to expect and, consequently, stayed away. “Observe and Report” should have been pitched to the arthouse crowd, one that could handle a film with extensive drug use, male frontal nudity, extreme violence, and even arguable date rape. This is material not for the faint of heart. It’s not a movie for everyone.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

However, if you think that comedy needs to be dangerous every once in a while just for the overall health of the genre, you owe it to yourself to see “Observe and Report,” especially fans of Hill’s “Eastbound and Down” on HBO or even those who enjoyed Rogen’s “Pineapple Express”. This is that brand of dark humor.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009. Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Working from a script reportedly inspired by “Taxi Driver,” Rogen gives the best performance of his career as Ronnie Barnhardt, a bipolar mall security guard with serious mental issues. And I mean serious. One of the things I like about “O & R” is its recognition that slapstick-y characters like Paul Blart are probably a little crazy. He lives alone with his alcoholic mother (Celia Weston), spends way too much time at the gun range, and pines after the makeup-counter girl (Anna Faris).

When a flasher targets Ronnie’s mall, our “hero” believes he’s found his purpose in life. He can save the mall and get the girl, one of the flasher’s first targets, and maybe even graduate to actual police officer in the process. Only Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) stands in his way. Assisting Ronnie are his right-hand man Dennis (Michael Pena) and twin guards John and Matt (John and Matt Yuan). He gets emotional support from the sweet-and-cute coffee girl Nell (Collette Wolfe).

“Observe and Report” could have been a wacky Will Farrell comedy but it’s much more subversive than its plot set-up. Around halfway through, around when Ronnie goes off his meds, “Observe” becomes honestly dark and violent. Ronnie basically descends into madness and Hill walks a tight rope of comedy and tension. You’re not suppose to like Ronnie. You’re not supposed to root for him. And you’re probably not going to be surprised if the film ends in a hail of bullets (and I’m not saying that it does or doesn’t).

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009. Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Comedy is such a “medicine” genre, one that works hard to make you happy but great comedy can also make you feel uneasy and put you on edge (think “After Hours” or “Something Wild”). One late scene features a police officer who says “I thought this would be funny, but it’s just sad.” The line could describe the conflicting tones within the film itself.

It’s not a film for everyone, but too many films already are and those looking for something different should check out “Observe and Report”.

The Blu-Ray for “Observe and Report” is a beauty, featuring several extended and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and a commentary with Hill, Rogen, and Faris. The last feature is a little unusual in that it’s available only as a picture in picture commentary and even the trio can’t seem to figure out why people would want to watch them watch the movie. Then again, maybe such an unusual movie deserves an atypical commentary track. A digital copy is also included.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com