Not Just Another Mall Cop Movie

By Broadside Correspondent Michael Kiely

Observe and Report opens with the typical, cliché setting of a suburban mall. Consumers wade through the merchandise of opening stores, grannies partake in their five hour-long power walks, while high school girls swoon over the hottest guy they can find.

All seems peaceful in this ordinary, suburban mall, except for the trenchcoat-wearing lunatic that runs through the parking lot, flashing his genitals and accosting anything with eyes.

Yep, this is the pivotal moment when you realize that this is not going to be your typical cut and dry comedy, but a film with a more scathing tone intended to attract the sadistic nature of comedy’s dark side.

Director and writer Jody Hill brings to life an egotistical, psychological mess of a character, Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen), who is not strapped down in a straight jacket, but instead, the head of security at Forest Ridge Mall.

To understand the nature of Rogen’s character, you first need to understand the psychological perspective of the character. We are not talking about his portrayal as everyone’s grand vision of a police officer in Superbad, but more so as the pissed-off, disgruntled “I just walked three fucking miles through Korea-town . . . ” from his acclaimed Knocked Up role. With that said, Rogen leaves no prisoners unattended.

Every man, woman and child throughout the movie feels the wrath of an eager, overzealous mall cop who seems to have a few screws loose, compliments of his alcoholic mother.

Along the unstable path to uncovering the penis-flashing assailant, Barnhardt is accompanied by his band of security brothers, one of which is his lisping best friend who he considers his “second in command,” (Michael Peña) and an adamant detective (Ray Liotta) who quickly grows wary of Barnhardt’s delusional antics.
A bout ensues between the two factions shifting a meager portion of the movie into super hero movie territory which seems unnecessary to the film, but also gives the audience a taste of Rogen’s upcoming role as the lead super hero of The Green Hornet.

Whilst floating amongst his delusional existence, Barnhardt continually haunts the materialistic, cosmetics counter girl Brandi (Anna Faris), who again reprises her role as a blonde bombshell with an I.Q. equivalent to that of a grapefruit.
It is not until Brandi falls victim to the flasher that Barnhardt lacquers on the charm, convincing her to go on a date.

The plot seems so simplistic that you would think it was written with a crayon, but do not be fooled by its appearance.

Observe and Report is one of the funniest movies of the year, with over-the-top gags filtered through Pineapple Express’s success coupled with an overbearing number of swears (particularly the F-word, which undoubtedly will become the next target for the acclaimed “F’ing Short Version” videos on YouTube).

Do not think that you even experienced the hilarity of this movie through its two-minute trailer. Observe and Report will keep you on edge, not with its plot, but through the unpredictable outbursts from Rogen’s character and his comical cast.