FILM REVIEW: ALI G – WHO IZ I? (15) ESP RATING: 3/5
Not quite the triumphant comeback I’d hoped for – but still a fun time!
I’m a huge fan of Sacha Baron Cohen. I’ve always thought there was something genuinely genius about the way he uses outrageous characters and hidden cameras to expose real issues, prejudices and the sheer ridiculousness of human behaviour – all while making us laugh at things we probably shouldn't.
Whether it's Borat, Brüno or Ali G, his greatest trick has always been getting unsuspecting people to reveal far more about themselves than they ever intended.
Also marking Baron Cohen’s directorial debut, this time everyone’s favourite wannabe gangster from Staines discovers that his long-term girlfriend Julie (Morgana Robinson) is eight months pregnant. Realising he needs to start earning some serious money, Ali heads to America in the hope of reviving his television career, only to find himself caught up in a bizarre series of encounters involving celebrity culture, political correctness and some rather questionable characters. And, as you’d expect, absolute chaos follows.
And to be honest, while I had a lot of fun with this film, I do think it’s probably the weakest of Baron Cohen’s mockumentary-style features – but that doesn’t mean I didn’t laugh.
In fact, there were a handful of moments where I laughed out loud harder than I have during a film in years.
When Baron Cohen is doing what he does best – putting himself in ridiculous situations alongside unsuspecting members of the public – he’s still an absolute master of his craft. His ability to improvise, remain completely in character and push an awkward situation to breaking point is extraordinary – and beneath the stupidity there’s often something quite clever going on.
Unfortunately, the biggest problem is everything happening between those moments. I think Baron Cohen was trying a little too hard to give this film a proper narrative.
We’re presented with a mixture of professional actors who are very much in on the joke and real people who have absolutely no idea they’re appearing in an Ali G film.
The story feels more predetermined, with the hidden-camera encounters squeezed in around it. And whenever we return to the scripted scenes, the pacing noticeably suffers.
Ultimately, I think your enjoyment will depend largely on how much affection you already have for the character.
Thankfully it never outstays its welcome, and to make the weaker stretches forgivable, there’s still enough genuinely hilarious moments to just about pull it through.
Booyakasha!
ESP Rating: 3/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Sasha Baron Cohen, Morgana Robinson & Stewart Rodeheaver
Running Time: 1 Hr 29 Mins
Director: Sasha Baron Cohen
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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