OBSERVE AND REPORT Review

OBSERVE AND REPORT is outrageous, hilarious, everything you need in an R-rated comedy that will not let you down. Writer/director Jody Hill who previously helmed The Foot Fist Way has brought us a testosterone fueled underdog story for those of us who love to laugh at… rudeness, stupidity, racism, and people who take things way too seriously. Seth Rogen is a comedy star that reminds me of Chris Farley days. Rogen is not ashamed of making fun of himself and that’s a big ingredient of why OBSERVE AND REPORT is a champ.

At the Forest Ridge Mall, head of security Ronnie Barnhardt patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist, combating skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun. His delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven 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 a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi, 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 of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.

Those of you who don’t like Superbad, probably won’t like OBSERVE AND REPORT, because they basically share the same sense of humor but OBSERVE AND REPORT has more kick to it, more action, not as extravagant as Pinapple Express but impressive enough that it will get you to cheer. After seeing Seth Rogen fight in this movie, it’ll make you almost believe he could be that Green Hornet he’s always dreamed of becoming.

I like Jody Hill’s filmmaking style. It’s a bigger budget than Foot Fist Way and yet it still has that Indie mode and he works with the environment to the movie’s advantage. That’s what Paul Blart: Mall Cop failed to have even though it had the same type of character.
Jody Hill knows that even if the setting is in a limited place like a mall, he can still play with what’s given to him and make it look and feel cinematic. Great direction.. clearly he knows how to put his vision into reality on the big screen. Without giving away too much, my favorite scene has got to be when the thief is driving away with the prize car, very well-shot.
Once again, heads up.. the comedy is very raunchy but you will laugh out loud. You’re going to wanna watch this movie again and again.

The storyline is entertaining, at first it seems like it’s just a story of a bi-polar man who thinks he’s all that but then it successfully develops into a story of a man who chases his dreams but everyone else around him is aiming to keep him down. There’s a turning point in Seth Rogen’s character where he finally realizes that the girl of his dream has been in front of him all along and if you think that Seth Rogen can’t act, you better think again. Sure the man may have been only in a few movies in recent years and he graduated from Judd Apatow school of comedy but OBSERVE AND REPORT is prove that he’s slowly but sure developing his range and abilities.

Fantastic supporting cast with funny cameos by people like Patton Oswalt and Danny McBride who know how to get the audiences riled up just by showing up on the screen. The cute hottie Anna Faris won’t disappoint you, she’s got sexy written all over her and her comedic timing can’t be any more perfect. Michael Pena will floor you with his odd Mexican accent and his chill character that has a hidden agenda. Young actress, Collette Wolfe will melt your heart. Last year I felt sorry that Ray Liotta has found himself in this kind of gig, (he was in Goodfellas remember?) but now I think nobody could play a bigger a-hole than Liotta.
I enjoy how the motivation of Seth Rogen’s character is centered around capturing this one pervert, it’s his problem that becomes the solution to regain the respect he thinks he deserves. If you like a comedy that doesn’t make you think too much and still be absolutely amused, OBSERVE AND REPORT is the shiznit!

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film