MOVIE REVIEWS

I'm generally not a comedy guy. I did see the first Borat and found it to be a hodge-podge of prank sketches with some very funny gags. Sacha Baron Cohan's follow-up improves over the original with a more story-based approach that still upends the '-isms" in America (racism, sexism, etc.) in the midst of a freaking pandemic. It couldn't be more well-timed in this brutal election season. The standout is Borat's 15 year old daughter played by Maria Bakalova (she's actually 24) who steals the show with her cluelessness and likeability. How well you enjoy this movie will depend on your own level of political ideology and tolerance to very crude and crass behavior. Personally, I found it hilarious. But it is definitely not for everybody.

These films are way better than they have any right to be - entirely thanks to Sacha Baron Cohen. I enjoyed <em>'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'</em> more than its predecessor from 2006, which relied too heavily on shock sex humour for my liking - though I did still like it all in all. This sequel is a little more creative with its jokes, whilst still having the necessary silliness and cringe. Cohen is excellent as he reprises the role of Borat. He made me laugh a number of times, any other actor in this role simply wouldn't be funny - he somehow makes it work expertly, his perfect delivery being crucial. In the first film, Cohen had Ken Davitian alongside him. Davitian doesn't return which is a shame, but he isn't missed to be honest. Maria Bakalova steps in very well, I feared her Tutar character was going to be irritating but she's anything but - Bakalova holds her own alongside Cohen. It's amusing, in ways that are indeed funny but also in ways that you know you shouldn't be laughing at - though that's critical to these films working. It also has the same Punk'd feel that the original production has. Good satire.

I struggled through Borat Subsequent Moviefilm not because it is as wild and ridiculous as the first part but because there's just too much that Sacha Baron Cohen stuffs into it, which made my viewing experience slightly unpleasant. Sure, there are LOL moments and absurd dialogues that make the film what it is, but after a while, the jokes aren't funny (not in a bad way, though). The critique on the Trump administration is spot-on, so maybe this is more targeted towards Americans. However, I have to admit that this sequel is more adventurous, mischievous, and courageous than the first part, which is all that matters sometimes. **Grade C-**.