Why ‘Observe and Report’ Is My Favorite Seth Rogen Movie and Deserves More Love

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Ever since making his debut in the 1999 series “Freaks and Geeks,” Seth Rogen has had a captivating acting career. There’s no denying that people have their personal favorites among the movies he’s acted in, without even mentioning the films he’s produced, such as my top pick, “Mutant Mayhem.

Speaking of it, with such a vast collection of films to his name, it’s possible some of Seth Rogen’s movies might slip one’s memory. For instance, have you recalled “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” or “You, Me & Dupree”? I’m not suggesting these films are poor (in fact, I enjoy them both), but they may not be the first ones that come to mind when listing Seth Rogen’s best works.

Nevertheless, one film that could potentially make its way onto your list (yet often overlooked) is “Observe and Report,” a personal favorite of Seth Rogen’s films. Initially, when it was released in 2009, it was often compared to “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” However, these two movies are polar opposites. Now, let me explain why “Observe and Report” stands out as my favorite Seth Rogen movie.

First Off, This Movie Is SO FREAKING DARK

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that while “Observe and Report” is categorized as a comedy, it seldom gets acknowledged as a “dark” one – yet, it undeniably is. If Robin Williams were alive today, I firmly believe he would have found his niche in this film, given its unrelenting exploration of the somber facets of humor. It’s a dark comedy that warrants attention from those who appreciate the complexities and contradictions inherent within the genre.

In a nutshell, Ronnie Barnhardt is unsuitable for a career in law enforcement, even in mall security. It’s not just his tendency to disregard regulations that makes him unfit; rather, it’s primarily due to his psychological instability, which could pose a risk if he were to don the uniform of a police officer.

In the 2009 movie, there might be questionable portrayal of bipolar disorder, but the character Ronnie is on medication for his mood fluctuations. However, it’s his propensity for violence that truly makes him menacing. The film accentuates this when a harasser starts targeting female workers. Unlike most, Ronnie doesn’t aim to arrest him; instead, he seeks to take his life. Frankly, I find such an extreme response excessive, even for a serial flasher.

In summary, the movie maintains a somber tone throughout, with Anna Farris portraying the love interest of Ronnie’s, who exploits his medication for her own purposes, believing it to be used for recreational purposes. There’s a questionable scene where Farris’s character overdoses on Ronnie’s medication, and their subsequent encounter sheds light on Ronnie’s morally ambiguous character as he is clearly not honest or trustworthy.

The subtly ominous elements in this movie often leave its true purpose ambiguous, making it incredibly intriguing.

That Said, I Find It Utterly Hilarious

Okay, so yes, Observe and Report is really dark…but it’s also hilarious.

It’s likely due to the fact that this was produced by Jody Hill, whom I’m familiar with from his work on “Eastbound & Down” and “Vice Principals”. Hill often portrays characters with grandiose delusions, and he amplifies this trait significantly, even though these characters are usually quite low in social status.

This setup often results in a contrast between the actual events happening and the characters’ interpretations of them. For instance, Ronnie Barnhardt believes he’s performing well while working “undercover,” unaware that his actions might not be as effective as he thinks.

These instances leave me in stitches! Furthermore, Rogen’s character seems unscathed by any misfortune. In other movies, his struggles might be exaggerated for dramatic effect, but here, you can’t help but ponder how far he’ll go to become a police officer. Earlier, I pointed out that Paul Blart was frequently compared to Observe and Report upon its release, yet the family-friendly Blart leans more towards silliness than humor.

Speaking of which, Ray Liotta’s explosive rage towards Seth Rogen’s character for his bungling in “Observe and Report” never fails to amuse me. The dark humor in this film is simply hysterical. However, it’s not just Liotta, Rogen, and Farris who bring the laughs; there are plenty of other funny actors in this movie as well.

Danny McBride And Michael Pena Are At The Top Of Their Game

I have a soft spot for Danny McBride, and I’d say that Eastbound & Down ranks among the funniest live-action shows I’ve ever encountered.

Let me tell you straight up, I truly believe that the character Danny McBride played as a drug dealer in “Observe and Report” is hands down the funniest role he’s ever delivered (“This my motherfin’ seed right here!”).

He may not have much screen time, but everything about him leaves me laughing out loud. For instance, the way he has his son tattooed on his chest, not as a baby, but at their current age. Or when he casually asks one of his associates about the number of people he’s killed, and McBride’s character boasts that it’s two. It’s just bizarre to think someone would actually keep track like that!

The hilarious scene is undoubtedly one of my favorites, and it features Michael Pena, who I believe delivers one of his best performances yet. In this film, he portrays another mall cop character, and together with Ronnie, they engage in various drug activities while passing time. Despite being a despicable character in the movie, Pena’s performance is side-splittingly funny, with an excellent chemistry with Seth Rogen.

In this revised version, I tried to maintain the original meaning and tone while making it more natural and easy to read for a broader audience.

Each time I see this film, it never fails to make me giggle, and Danny McBride and Pena are undoubtedly my top-two preferred personalities – that certainly speaks volumes about its charm for me!

Seth Rogen Has Also Never Shown So Much Range In A Comedy

Comedy is Seth Rogen’s main area of expertise, although he has ventured into more serious roles like “The Fabelmans” and “Steve Jobs”. He’s also lent his voice to numerous projects, such as the “Kung Fu Panda” series.

Typically, Seth Rogen maintains a consistent portrayal in the movies he’s featured in. For instance, it’s hard to predict the specific Seth Rogen you’ll see in films like “Neighbors” or “The Night Before”, but once his character is introduced, the version of Rogen you’ve got is generally the one you’ll follow throughout the entire movie.

In the movie “Observe and Report,” Rogen’s acting mirrors Ronnie’s erratic emotions. Throughout the film, his character is consistently striving to assert himself, which often results in comedic situations. However, the extent he goes to can sometimes be subtly amusing, such as when he converses with Anna Farris’s character and appears to make progress only for the audience to realize that he’s not actually making headway. On other occasions, his actions are more broadly comedic, like when Ronnie uses a billy club in an exaggerated manner to attack people.

To me, what gives this film a unique feel is its diverse spectrum of humor. Some viewers might argue that Rogen shines brighter when collaborating rather than leading, as seen in films like 50/50 and Superbad.

Personally, I find him more appealing as a main actor due to his extensive acting range, particularly in comedies. Among all his films, none showcases his versatility quite like “Observe and Report.” Rogen delivers an incredibly dynamic performance in this movie that I absolutely love.

Lastly, It Is Unlike Any Other Movie In His Lengthy Career

Ever since the early 2000s, I’ve been an avid admirer of Rogen’s work, and as I mentioned at the beginning, his professional journey has been nothing short of captivating.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I must admit that Seth Rogen’s repertoire spans from the enigmatic “Donnie Darko” to the timeless classic “The Lion King.” However, there’s no other movie quite like “Observe and Report” in his collection. Unlike his roles in many other films where he portrays a charming slacker, in “Observe and Report,” I found him far from endearing.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that the characters in this movie are far from endearing – yet, it’s precisely their unlikability that adds an extra layer of humor to the film. This is somewhat unusual for a Seth Rogen production, as his films typically feature jerks who manage to be lovable despite their flaws. However, in this case, there’s none of that charm; instead, it’s the stark contrast between unlikability and the absurdity of the plot that makes it truly memorable for me.

To put it simply, Rogen was the perfect choice for this role because no one else could convincingly portray such a confused and troubled character. It’s as if “Taxi Driver” had a comedic twist (Though, I must admit, I’m not entirely sure about the humor in “Taxi Driver” lately).

For these reasons and many others, it’s my favorite Seth Rogen flick. What’s yours?

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2025-03-28 05:08