Borat
Borat (2006)
I was debating whether to give this 3.5/4 but having seen all the Ali G series on DVD, the film adaptation of the Kazakhstani TV reporter doesn’t quite reach the comic heights presented in the TV segments. But it’s still extremely hilarious from start to finish and one of the funniest films of the year (but where’s the competition? I’ve yet to see Clerks II). The entire audience I saw it with last night were in stitches more often than not. Structurally the film works because the majority of it is played straight, much like the Ali G show segments, with unsuspecting participants enduring Borat’s cultural differences. There is a storyline however of Borat hoping to meet Pamela Anderson (and make liquid explosions) but that’s just a ploy used to get Borat and his reporter friend along for a road trip across the US. It’s definitely cruder than the TV segments (the naked fight is both side splittingly funny and hugely disturbing) but a lot of it is rehashed to an extent which was a little disappointing. The etiquette sequence for example, is very close to the original version. But I think, the filmmakers including Larry Charles who wrote a number of Seinfeld episodes (no I’m not confusing him with Seinfeld co-creator Larry David), writer Todd Philips (who wrote and directed Road Trip and Old School amongst others) and producer Jay Roach (who directed the Austin Powers films) all make a conscious choice to present Borat to new audiences and fans alike. Whether repeat viewings will hold up remains to be seen and personally, I’d much prefer to watch the Ali G segments again. Then again, if Borat commentates on his own DVD, that will be a must-own right there. But if you’re only a casual fan or haven’t seen any Borat before (and aren’t easily offended), chances are you’ll find this comedic gold!
