Observe and Report

Cast: Seth Rogan, Ray Liotta, Michael Pena, Anna Faris, Dan Bakkedahl and Jesse Plemons.
Director: Jody Hill
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Crime.
Rated: MA 15+
Running Time: 86 minutes

Right now, the world needs a hero.

Synopsis:
At the Forest Ridge Mall, head of security Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogan) patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun.

Ronnie's delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven by his personal duty to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution of this crime will earn him a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi (Anna Faris), the hot make-up counter clerk who won't give him the time of day.

But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops.

Seth Rogen stars in the dark comedy "Observe and Report," written and directed by Jody Hill ("The Foot Fist Way"). The film also stars Anna Faris ("The House Bunny"), Michael Peña ("Million Dollar Baby") and Ray Liotta ("The Rat Pack"). Donald De Line ("The Italian Job") will produce, with Andrew Haas ("Without a Paddle"), Marty Ewing ("Blades of Glory"), Thomas Tull ("The Dark Knight") and Jon Jashni ("Sweet Home Alabama") serving as executive producers. The creative team includes director of photography Tim Orr ("Snow Angels"), production designer Chris Spellman ("Superbad") and editor Zene Baker ("The Foot Fist Way"). Music is by Joey Stephens.

Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, present a De Line Pictures Production of Jody Hill Film, "Observe and Report.

My Verdict: Seth Rogan is the perfect shopping centre rent-a-cop, he plays his role whilst looking substantially younger, than in Pineapple Express, maybe it's the hair cut and lack of facial hair…

Even though the movie has no clear genre or a genuinely good or moving storyline it is a good when-you-can-not-be-bothered-thinking movie. The type of movie that still keeps you from boredom and puts a smile on your face during a lazy afternoon.

I do suggest you don't eat anything major before watching Observe and Report though, as there is a scene that makes even the strong stomached quite nauseous and leaves you feeling quite bad as to what you may have laughed at in this usually dark movie.

Of course Observe and Report contains a plot with drug-fuelled humour and profanity, it stars Seth Rogan!

We are taken into Seth Rogan's character, Ronnie Barnhardt, who we often are made to feel sorry for. Ronnie is a bipolar sufferer with an alcoholic mother who just wants to follow his dreams of a career as a Police Officer and to win the love of the 'hot' make-up counter clerk, Brandi (Anna Faris), who won't give him the time of day. His shopping centre security partners, including Asian twins, look up to him as their hero. I guess he does end up a hero as the plot follows a flasher who needs to be brought to justice, slow motion, full-front male, justice.

Observe and Report is predictable and laced with Seth Rogan typical humour, yes it is funny but not exactly witty although you do leave the cinema grinning.

Rating : ***
Brooke Hunter