Perfect DVD fodder, some amazing sketches, watch with friends and a few stimulants...

Rating: 5/10 (17 November 2006)

Borat travels from the backward Kazakhstan to learn and inform his nation about Americans.
This film is a concoction of sketches that you may or may or not have seen on the Ali G show (more likely if you are British) strung together with a road trip theme.
Some of the sketches are superb - where where Borat is learning etiquette and the scene where he is winding up the local feminist chapter. In others he mocks anti-semitism (jews are able to trans-mutate).
However the film is let down by not having a strong enough story, and some of the scenes are clearly staged. The final scene and the "bear in the van " scene are far too staged.
I have to say I was a little disappointed by the anti-semitic elements, as well as the description of the black congressmen as a chocolate face. In one respect this is pure offence, in other you can see the comedian taking some risks.
If anything I kind of wish he had taken more risks (there is a scene when a chicken might be killed, but of course animals can't be hurt, casual racism is OK, but animals can't be hurt).
There is a scene where a fat-black prostitute crashes a dinner party, and this would be great if Woody Allen and Larry David hadn't already done this.
However kudos is due to anyone who manages to offend a rodeo crowd in the manner that Borat does, as well as the naked wrestling scene, which I really hope I never have to watch again.
Well done Peter Baynham (Armando Ianucci fans will know the name) and the ever talented Larry Charles for making this and hopefully making some cash.
It could have been better, but watch it with some mates after a few and it will make you laugh.