Review: Observe and Report (2009)

[Tim Voon]

 Film Review - Observe and Report 2009
By Tim Voon
2 out of 5 stars

If I had to pick a movie about shopping mall security to watch it
would not be OBSERVE AND REPORT 2009. Starring two likeable comic
actors Seth Rogen and Anna Faris who I thought was hilarious in THE
HOUSE BUNNY, I was particularly disappointed with the final outcome.

Like PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2009, the other popular mall security movie
of 2009 - the main plot lines are almost identical to each other. Both
are about disillusioned security officers, who live at home with their
mother, are in love with wrong girl whilst the right one floats under
their noses and are vindicated by the end of the movie because of
their personal convictions.

Yawn.

Seth Rogen is mall cop, Ronnie Barnhardt in this movie. His character
would best be described as a delusional, bordering on psychotic with a
streak of borderline personality disorder. He has an obsession to join
the real police force and to find the streaker that is terrorising the
patrons of the local shopping mall. Do I like Seth Rogen as a comic
actor YES, do I like his character in this movie - NO! My final
thoughts at the end of the movie was - "God I hope he doesn't come
work at my local mall."

On the other hand, I took more kindly to Kevin James portrayal of PAUL
BLART. Although Paul was deluded, he at least had a heart and overcame
his mistakes to become a better person at the end of the movie. Whilst
Ronnie Bernhardt just ended up beating up police officers and
streakers alike to prove he was right and everybody else was wrong.

So was this movie funny? It had me smiling on a few occasions i.e.
crazy streaker running through mall. But did I truly laugh out loud
with pure enjoyment, I would have to say, no I didn't. Maybe it was
because I found the characters very annoying and too angry for my
liking. Seth's character Ronnie Bernhardt just bitches about life in
this movie and Anna's character Brandi is just bitchy.

If I had to absolutely choose between PAUL BLART or OBSERVE AND REPORT
to watch, I would probably go with Paul. The cute, cuddly cop, with
the softy heart on top of his scooter mobile is far nicer and funnier
to watch than the nasty Ronnier Bernhardt. Sorry Seth, I just didn't
like your character in this movie.

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