[REVIEW] Observe & Report

Seth Rogan’s black comedy does for the mall what Heathers did for High School. The movie takes you to the edge and violently throws you over the precipice. In Observe and Report, Rogen takes on flashers, skateboarders, and kiosk vendors as Ronnie Barnhardt, a disturbed mall security guard who believes he is the one thing standing between order and anarchy

Observe and Report

CAST: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Celia Weston, Collete Wolffe, Ray Liotta

Directed by: Jody Hill

Rated: R – Take that rating seriously dads.

Seth Rogen’s black comedy does for the mall what Heathers did for High School. The movie takes you to the edge and violently throws you over the precipice. In Observe and Report, Rogen takes on flashers, skateboarders, and kiosk vendors as Ronnie Barnhardt, a disturbed mall security guard who believes he is the one thing standing between order and anarchy, all without realizing that he is the main cause of the chaotic state of his world.

Ronnie’s hold on law and order is challenged when Detective Harrison, (Ray Liotta) enters his domain of the mall to investigate an incident involving Ronnie’s romantic obsession “Brandi” (Ana Faris) as well as series of mall robberies. Ronnie believes this is his chance to shine, and goes on a quixotic adventure to save his girl, battle imaginary enemies, and be recognized as the hero he believes he is.

Michael Pena plays Ronnie’s Sancho Panza with a unique twist, as a sidekick with a secret. Celia Westons is Ronnie’s mom, who shows her love and support of her son despite her inability to remain sober. Collete Wolfe is Nell, a temporarily handicapped coffee girl whose smile seems to calm Ronnie’s demons.

The movie is disturbingly funny, as you watch the walking time bomb that is Ronnie and just know everything will not end neatly. Rogen allows you to see a man whose world is a complete self-delusion, which combined with his gullibility and violent temperament, makes you thankful there is a psychological component to a police officer application, and a waiting period for a gun license. The movie lets you cheer for Ronnie but hope you never have to deal with him. You want him to get the girl, as long as it’s not YOUR daughter.

The cast is amazing it its ability to make grotesquely hilarious representations of people you see every day.  Jody Hill’s direction and timing is superb. He gets audiences to watch open-mouthed in their seats saying over and over, “Oh my god, did that just happen?”

“Observe” is one guilty pleasure deserving of some serious penance/atonement this holiday weekend.

Your Daddy Time: Wasted or Worth it? Worth it! 4/5 Stars


The Rating System is for dads who need to know one thing- Is this movie WORTH IT to: * Pack up the kids, bags, etc and trek to the theater – or
* Find a babysitter so Dad can have a date night – or
* Cash in brownie points with the Mrs. so he can go with his buddies

If it doesn’t fit these simple criteria, the movie gets the WASTED rating, which means – don’t waste the precious time you have, wait for video/cable when you can squeeze it between chores, work and sleep.


Official website: http://observe-and-report.warnerbros.com/

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