After the mild success that was The Foot Fist Way, director Jody Hill is back at work, this time dragging the often hilarious Seth Rogan and Anna Faris along for the ride. And while the cast is unshakable in terms of comedic timing and reputation, neither the penmanship of Hill or the acting of Rogan could save Observe and Report from being a quotable, but otherwise lacking attempt at a running joke.
In the film, Seth Rogan plays Ronnie Barnhardt, a Forest Ridge Mall security guard. Taking his job a little to the extreme, Ronnie rules with an iron fist, allowing little to go unnoticed in his assigned jurisdiction. But when a flasher begins a muti-incident tirade in the mall's dimly lit parking lot, Ronnie sees a chance to display his stellar policeman skills and finally capture the attention of Brandi, his cosmetic selling dream girl.
Together, Rogan and Faris light up the screen, generating a series of laughs that will easily serve as the film's most memorable moments. Their undeniable chemistry speaks volumes for their talent as they produce the film's only joke, always opting to venture to the extreme and leave little to nothing to the imagination.
The film's only highlight comes soon after Brandi's initial exposure to the unclothed man. Quickly, the mall guards jump to the scene, clearing out a crime area and informing the clueless beau of her destined future - death. And while the dialogue and actions are quite humorous, it is the work of Faris that really sells the montage of scenes. Her ditzy, uneducated reaction to the incident stirs laughter as she sets the bar high for the remainder of the film.
Sadly, that 'high' set bar is never reached. Sure Rogan delivers some great lines during an interview with a news reporter and Michael Pena, in his first comedic role to date, gives audiences some unexpected chuckles; but nothing outside of the trailer warrants a watch. The film is hardly decent and somewhat quotable, which is definitely worth mentioning; however, it doesn't come close to reaching the level of last summer's big hits Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Pineapple Express. And while it is a tad better than Foot Fist Way, it has become quite clear that Jody Hill just doesn't have the talent needed to survive in this genre of increasing talent.
