SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Dreadfully Boring

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I love black comedy. I even like dumb movies. But this one thinks it is more than it is, ad therefore deserves a really low rating. It isn't funny in the least. There is not one likable character. Well I guess the coffee girl. But manly it's just a bunch of loud, misfires rolling by, one after another. No sense of reason in he story line. Take the Danny McBride series, the Sasha Cohen films, there is a story line, and one scene follows another for a reason. I couldn;t figure out what this was about. Ray Liotta's character?? Pena ? Who does Seth Rogen know in H'wood that he keeps getting all these films made? He is lame to the max. I did think it was funny that the flasher was very...small.

Observe and Report (2009): Dir: Jody Hill / Cast: Seth Rogan, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta, Michael Pena, Celia Weston: Hilarious film about the difference between seeing and translating it. Seth Rogan plays head security at the mall where a flasher has struck. Director Jody Hill avoids formula by taking circumstances and relationships in different directions. Rogan's mall cop desires to be a police officer yet is subdued by poor judgement. He lives with his alcoholic yet loving mother, and makes it his mission to score with the cosmetics girl. Anna Faris plays the cosmetics girl he is obsessed with. She is self absorbed although becomes the object of Rogan's desire after she is flashed in the parking lot. Her attitude is returned full force during a shocking comedic climax. Ray Liotta plays a cop whom Rogan dislikes because he is investigating the flasher scene at the mall. This is problematic due to Rogan's initial outbursts. Perhaps had Liotta made the first conflicting motion then the security guard might have had more credibility. Rogan will retaliate when the need for a badge doesn't distinguish who he is. Michael Pena plays Rogan's partner with a secret and a massive drug high. Celia Weston is hilarious as Rogan's drunken mother who offers support when she can muster it. More detailed than the inferior Paul Blart: Mall Cop, with smaller factors celebrated within one of the best comedies of the year. Score: 9 / 10

At first glance an inevitable comparison to the Kevin James vehicle 'Paul Blart' springs to mind. To be fair you wouldn't be all that far off either, the whole basis for this film is very similar lets be honest. Both characters are working as security men in a mall and are wannabe cops. Both characters are portrayed as taking their job way too seriously when in reality they are merely shop attendants in a blue uniform. And both characters try to change their lives by applying for a job on the police force despite everyone thinking they haven't got a chance.So yeah its pretty similar, the only major difference is the fact Rogen's character in this film is more unhinged and eerily prone to violent anger outbursts. This of course can be hilarious at times with Rogen's great comic personality and chubby features, but at the same time its also a bit disturbing and uncomfortable too.There are plenty of scenes in this which made me laugh out loud, the way Ronnie (Rogen) organises his small team of security men with the up most importance, as if they were special ops. His awkwardness around sexy perfume saleswoman Brandi (Farris perfectly cast as your typical airhead blonde...again), the way he acts with jealousy around real cop 'Harrison' (Liotta), his ongoing feud with Arab shopkeeper Saddamn and the way he exposes himself as slightly deranged, depressive and possibly dangerous to various people, especially in the police psychological examination.On the flip side there are times when the film feels ugly vicious a bit sad and over the top with the violence, profanity and blood. The sequence where Rogen's character takes Brandi out for a meal, she gets drunk and then they end up having sex, is rather dubious. Why? because Brandi is completely out of it and vomiting whilst Ronnie is banging her. It does seem a tad like rape, but at the same time the sight of Farris' head lurching to one side with puke on the pillow whilst Ronnie goes at it is amusing I can't deny, a nervous laugh there.There are other moments throughout which seem to go a bit too far also, showing 'Ronnie's' anger, the fight with the cops and Liotta's character, and the finale for the flasher. Its all kinda funny but kinda edgy too, at times you're thinking is it OK to laugh at this?Saying this is a dark comedy is an understatement, its darkly dark alright and Rogen's cynical, sinister, in your face performance will either leave you laughing, cogitating or hating. I think I prefer this over the Kevin James film simply because Rogen's performance is appealing to me here plus this film is more grounded ('Blart' goes down that 'Die Hard' route). The ending is a bit simple and anti climatic but its a totally fun and rather controversial ride to get there.6/10

Observe and Report is a decent movie with a good storyline and a great comedic cast.It certainly isn't a perfect or even great comedy but it is still very watchable and has plenty of genuinely funny scenes.This movie came out around the same time as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and a lot of people complained about how similar they are,while,they are both about mall cops,this movie is way better and is not very similar to the other movie,this has a lot of black comedy and it dosen't try to make you feel sorry for the character constantly,also Seth Rogen is a much more likable main role than Kevin James is.It certainly isn't a great or outstanding comedy,and nowhere near some of Rogen's best work,but Observe and Report is still quite funny at times,and is worth the worth if you're looking for a quick comedy.A delusional mall cop tries to solve the case of a mystery flasher who stalks his mall and the girl he likesBest Performance: Seth Rogen