Rating: R
Starring:
Seth Rogen as Ronnie Barnhardt
Ray Liotta as Detective Harrison
Michael Peña as Dennis
Anna Faris as Brandi
Dan Bakkedahl as Mark
Jesse Plemons as Charles
John Yuan as John Yuen
Matt Yuan as Matt Yuen
Celia Weston as Mom
Collette Wolfe as Nell
Randy Gambill as Pervert
Alston Brown as Bruce
Cody Midthunder as D-Rock
Aziz Ansari as Saddamn
Directed by Jody Hill
Special Features:
Basically Training
Forest Ridge Mall: Security Recruitment Video
Seth Rogan And Anna Faris: Unscripted
Additional Scenes
Gag Reel
Making Of The Mall Minds
Picture In Picture
Commentary
Digital Copy Of Observe And Report For Portable Media Players
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.40:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish, French, and Portuguese Language
Spanish, French, and Portuguese Subtitles
Running Time: 87 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Bargain hunters at Forest Ridge Mall get more than they bargained for: a chubby flasher in a ratty bathrobe. They’re repulsed. Security guard Ronnie Barnhardt isn’t: “This disgusting pervert is the best thing that ever happened to me!” Catching the flasher may be his ticket to a real police job and to romance with a hot cosmetics-counter princess. Only one thing stands between Ronnie and destiny: a tall, handsome cop who actually knows what he’s doing. Seth Rogen (‘Knocked Up’), Anna Faris (the ‘Scary Movie’ series) and Ray Liotta (‘Goodfellas’) star in this mall-to-wall comedy covering acres of wild, sometimes raunchy, up-in-your-grill funny – all under one roof.”
“Observe and Report” is rated R for pervasive language, graphic nudity, drug use, sexual content and violence.
Mini-Review:
Anyone expecting a lighthearted comedy in “Observe and Report” is going to be rather disappointed. While it does have light and silly moments, it also turns quite dark and serious at times. It’s this erratic shifting in tone that makes it hard to enjoy.
Seth Rogen plays Ronnie Barnhardt, a mall cop with aspirations of becoming a real cop one day. What Ronnie lacks in intelligence, manners, and competency he makes up for in determination, courage, and passion. Ronnie is hilariously blinded by love for Brandi who is played by Anna Faris. She’s a rude alcoholic ditz, but Ronnie is head over heels in love with her. She can do no wrong in his eyes. And when a mall flasher traumatizes Brandi, he makes it his mission to protect her and catch the flasher. Unfortunately, that’s when Ray Liotta as Detective Harrison steps in and causes problems for Ronnie. And just as Ronnie is within reach of his dreams, everything comes crashing down around him. That’s when the film takes its dark turn and is a lot less funny. While Ronnie’s life takes a vigilante turn and almost turns into a superhero, it’s just a tad dark compared to all the other comedy.
“Observe and Report” does have a good supporting cast. Celia Weston is memorable as Ronnie’s white trash Mom. When we see her, it’s a lot easier to understand why Ronnie is as screwed up as he is. Danny McBride also has a scene stealing role as a drug dealer with a unique tattoo on his chest. I also briefly mistook Collette Wolfe who played Nell for Amy Adams. Both have cute looks and a sweetness about them. They’re almost interchangeable. Then there are John and Matt Yuan as John and Matt Yuan. They’re so wooden, yet funny in every scene. Aziz Ansari from “Parks and Recreation” has a memorable cameo as a slimy body lotion salesman named Saddamn. Michael Peña deserves some recognition for doing something different as Dennis, another mall cop, but he’s so creepy that he’s not terribly likable.
But the most disturbing thing in “Observe and Report” is Randy Gambill as the flasher. You’re treated to full frontal nudity as this fat man runs through the crowded mall. Once it is seen it can’t be unseen. Add it to the list of things I wish I had never seen. On the positive side, they do have a fantastic soundtrack. Any movie that includes Queen’s “The Hero” from “Flash Gordon” is good in my book.
“Observe and Report” has some funny moments that help redeem the film, but there are enough dark and unfunny moments to keep it from being entirely enjoyable. If you like crude comedies, this may be a good rental. Otherwise look elsewhere.
You’ll find a decent selection of bonus features on this Blu-ray. There are the usual offerings like commentaries, deleted scenes, ‘making of’ videos, and gag reels. There is also a feature on Faris and Rogen improvising the dinner scene with each other and a fake mall recruitment video for security. Finally, the Blu-ray includes a digital copy of the film for your portable devices.
