Offensive, Crude and Wrong...I Loved It!

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2006)

The Joe Cool Experience: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan(2006)
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev and Ken Davitian as Azamat Bagatov
Plot: A reporter from Kazakhstan journeys to American to make a documentary. He quickly tours the United States, falls in love with Pamela Anderson, and offends many people in the process.
Openers: First of all, I have not see Da Ali G Show, or any of Baron Cohen's previous characters. I only know him from his role in Talledega Nights. So I went into this pretty uninitiated, having only the trailers(which made me laugh) to go on. Oh and the hype from everyone. Did it live up to the hype? Was Borat indeed one of the funniest movies ever made? The Good: The answer is a resounding YES. This movie is so offensive to so many people, and that's what makes it hilarious. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and not take things so seriously. Not only is the character of Borat funny, but what's especially funny(and shocking) is how the people he talks to actually act. The rednecks at the rodeo, the bigots at the dinner party, even the frat boys all have flaws that are exposed. Maybe that's why they all hate the makers now. They feel they were made to look stupid, and they were, but it wasn't anyone's fault but their own. And I laughed at their stupidity. In addition to the smarter humor of exposing people's ignorance, there is plenty of stupid humor and gross-out jokes for those who like that. And the offensive jokes keep coming. I like the fact that no one is safe. The south, Jews, mentally handicapped, women, Christians, etc, etc. Everyone gets made fun of as Borat is an equal-opportunity offender. The movie is also very quotable, and will stay with you when it's over. Sacha Baron Cohen gives an excellent performance as Borat, who is sure to join the upper echelon of comedic characters.
The Bad: The offensiveness can also be a bad thing if you don't like that sort of humor. It may feel a little out of line, but really, once you accept the fact that it's just a movie and not meant to be taken seriously, you may find yourself laughing. You may feel terrible for laughing, but you will laugh.
The Ugly: Borat and Azamat wrestle around, chase each other and beat each other up in the nude. With a rubber fist. About as gross as it sounds. Plus there's quite a few penis and scrotum shots and that's just never nice to look at.
Final Verdict: With lots of good, and not that much bad...Borat takes it's place as one of the funniest films I've ever seen. All the critics can say whatever they want, but I say that I highly recommend this film, but with a warning: Go in with an open mind, and prepare to be assaulted.
Rating: ****1/2 of *****