The Watch

There Goes The Neighborhood

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Rated: R  Some strong sexual content, sexual references, pervasive language and violent images.
Release Date: July 27, 2012
Runtime:  1 hour 42 minutes

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Director: Akiva Schaffer
Writers: Jared Stern, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
Cast:  Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Rosemarie DeWitt, Will Forte, R. Lee Ermey, Doug Jones

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SYNOPSIS: Four guys in a suburban neighborhood form a patrolling watch groups, but find themselves ill-prepared to face an intergalactic alien threat.

REVIEW: Saturday Night Live writer and director Akiva Schaffer, who directed Adam Samberg in Hot Rod, leaves the comfort of weekly last night television behind to take on the task of the Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet), Jared Stern (Mr. Popper's Penguins) and Evan Goldberg (Goon) written R-rated comedy involving bored suburban family men and and aliens - not from south of the border, but from south of the Milky Way.

Evan (Ben Stiller, Tower Heist), a married man living the American dream in suburban Ohio, has worked hard his entire life and has risen to the position of manager of the local bulk warehouse Costco.  When a co-worker turns up dead and missing his skin, Evan takes it upon himself to start yet another club to go along with his elderly Spanish courses and running group. Starting a neighborhood watch program, Evan is joined by fun-loving Bob (Vince Vaughn, The Dilemma), police force washout Franklin (Jonah Hill, 21 Jump Street), and tall accented Indian-type Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade, Bunny and the Bull). After getting their feet wet taking down mischievous kids, the quartet thinks its got the hang of patrolling. When the hunt for the Costco co-worker killer turns into the finding of strange energy sources and come face-to-face with an actual alien creature, they realize that they may be out of their depth, but continue on in order to keep their streets safe.

The Watch, formerly Neighborhood Watch, is a silly, foul-mouthed tale of discovery, both of the terrestrial and extraterrestrial varieties. From the trailers, you can put together the gist of the entire film, but what you do not see in the trailer are all of the hilarious moments that occur in between what was plastered on Youtube.com and television commercials. If an alien invasion isn't enough to whet thy appetite, a troubled marriage between Evan and his wife Abby (Rosemarie DeWitt, Your Sister's Sister) and dad Bob's tribulations of a daughter Chelsea (Erin Moriarty) coming of age adds a little bit more dimension to the story. With all that said, The Watch is still a semi-serious silly story with less akin to Will Smith's Independence Day and more like Old School. 

What makes the film over all is the actors. Ben Stiller assembles a new team of misfits for The Watch, making more promising choices than the results of the not as funny Tower Heist. I was disappointed in the missed opportunities with Eddie Murphy and Matthew Broderick. Vince Vaughn embodies the up-for-anything father who loves his kid as much as having an avenue to blow off a little extra steam with his brothers-in-arms - just like his role in Old School. Jonah Hill, still holding off most of the weight he lost for 21 Jump Street, throws his weight around as the police squad dropout with Jonah's Superbad confidence and a butterfly knife. Ben Stiller continues his uptight, calculating ways as Even, channelling his work from any of the Focker films. Rounding out the neighborhood watch is Richard Ayoade as Jamarcus, a fresh as a penny lanky import character with the sense and sensibilities of work from shows like Flight of the Conchords. Every character is based on the strengths of the actor that portrays him. Like a well oiled machine, each brings his comedy A-game.

The members of the neighborhood watch break out of every scene. Vaughn goes over the top with his physical loud comedic presence. Hill commands with double-takes and wide-eyed stars. Ayoade quietly makes the audience laugh out loud. Stiller plays the straight man as well as he ever does. In addition, there are other characters to acknowledge. Evan's workplace, Costco, is a pivotal piece of architecture. The inept police department, led by Sgt. Bressman (Will Forte, Rock of Ages), makes you wonder how they stayed in a job at all. R. Lee Ermey's, (Toy Story 3) Manfred is fun to watch, if only for his well-practiced drill sergeant antics. Evan's neighbor Paul (Billy Crudup, Almost Famous) makes you want to believe in otherworldly life. And not to be forgotten, Doug Jones (Legion) is wholly responsible for bringing the biggest alien to life.

The practical and special effects are surprisingly slick and cool. I was impressed by the alien creature design and execution. Director Akiva Schaffer balances perfectly the straight situational comedy with the science fiction extraterrestrial action. Throw in a couple of personal dilemmas for half of the watch squad, and you have a solid effort.

The Watch is funny throughout, sometimes surprising with its wit and humor. Not for all moviegoers because of its raunchy and foul language and brief sexual content, for those who are fans of Old School and similar films, The Watch will delight and bring a tear to your eye... from laughing!

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WORTH: Matinee or DVD

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Trapeze Americano

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Rated: PG  Some mild action and rude humor
Release Date: June 8, 2012
Runtime:  1 hr 25 mins

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Director: Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon, Tom McGrath
Writers: Eric Darnell, Noah Baumbach
Cast:  Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Frances McDormand, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short, Jessica Chastain, Paz Vega, Christopher Knights, Tom McGrath, Chris Miller

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SYNOPSIS: Still in Africa, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe dream of getting home to the Big Apple. Following the penguins to Monte Carlo, they work their way through Europe under the guise of a traveling circus.

REVIEW: Now on its second sequel, the Madagascar animations have delighted children and adults alike. Co-directors and co-writers of all of the Madagascar films, Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell are joined in directing duties by Monsters vs Aliens writer/director Conrad Vernon, and joined in writing duties by Fantastic Mr. Fox scribe Noah Baumbach. Starting where Escape to Africa left off, Alex and the rest of the 'wild' animals find a way off one continent and onto another - continuing their quest to find a way back home.

Residing in Africa, Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller, Tower Heist), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock, What to Expect When You're Expecting), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith, Hawthorne), and Melman tge Giraffe (David Schwimmer, John Carter of Mars) dream of returning the their home in the Big Apple, New York. When the penguins, led by Skipper (Tom McGrath, Megamind), Kowalski (Chris Miller, Puss in Boots), and Private (Christopher Knights, Megamind), take off in their cobbled together and monkey powered plane to Monte Carlo to increase their fortunes, they leave Alex and the others in Africa without a way home. Following the penguins to the casinos they all reunite with enough time to draw the attention of the relentless and rabid French Animal Control Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand, Transformers: Dark of the Moon), anxious to add a lion's mane to her trophy wall. In order to escape the city, Alex and crew find cover on a train with a traveling circus filled with performing animals like the Russian Tiger Vitaly (Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad), the Sea lion Stefano (Martin Short, Weeds), and Cheetah Gia (jessica Chastain, The Help). They travel the European countryside trying to make the circus successful in order for a American circus promoter will see their act and get them back to New York, all the while trying to evade Captain DuBois.

Following in the grand feral tradition of the previous films, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted 3D is funny, touching, and exhilarating. Skipper and the penguins slay with their hi-tech hi-jinks and monkey shines. Odd couple Alex and Marty ditch the predator and prey routine for good in favor of new issues, one of which is who should be leader of the pride. But that issue comes quickly to a close when the snarling and sniffing animal control Captain DuBois starts nipping at their heels. The action is fast and furious, from a high-flying and fast-wheeled chased in Monte Carlo, to a narrow getaway in the darkened train yards. The 3D of the film explodes to good use with every twist and turn of film. Marty's melody of "Afro... circus... afro... circus... polka dot, polka dot... circus" was an instant classic as soon as he uttered it in song. Lemars King Julien XIII (Sacha Baron Cohan, The Dictator), second-hander Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer, Larry Crowne), and wide-eyed follower Mort (Andy Richter, Aliens in the Attic) add in their special brand of yucks and ahhs along the way.

The story is fresh and funny. In part 2, they escaped Madagascar to the unknown wilds of Africa. In Europe's Most Wanted, Alex and crew journey to another continent, still with the expressed wish to find their ways back home, but with a brand new story dynamic. The romantics and friendships are already rock solid. Melman is not the hypochrondriac that he once was. Alex isn't trying to gnaw on his friend Marty or searching for his heritage. Marty now knows he's unique, even in a herd of other identical zebras. Gloria is happy with her relationship with the ever shy Melman who always carried a torch for her. Now the pack faces brand new challenges with the pursuing Captain Dubois and a cast of circus performers who seem to lack both the patience for non-circus folk and the passion to carry on the honored tradition of performing to their utmost. The Russian tiger Vitaly seethes with resentment for Alex due to his perkiness and his questions to why Vitaly doesn't bother jumping through hoops anymore. Alex starts noticing cheetah Gia in a way more personal than professional. Sea lion Stefano, even with his self proclaimed lower than average intelligence, knows that they need help in creating a better, more passionate routine. And what Alex comes up with for that better performance is a visual and musical treat.

Cirque du Soleil, Circus of the Sun, is a Canadian entertainment company that mixes circus arts and street entertainment. Alex the Lion brings the spectacle of Cirque to the circus without the human acrobats and clowns. Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman take a huge risk putting Alex's plan into play and convincing the other circus animals new colorful tricks. What results is a neon bulb, glow stick, ultra-violet black white, Katy Perry fireworks symphony display.

Some of the story is more silly than important. Lemur King Julien falls for the tricycle-riding ballerina bear. They take a funny jaunt through Rome on the tricycle and eventually a high horsepower Ducati. The journey and their romance is silly and fun, but does not add much to the tail, I mean, tale. But Julien, Maurice, and Mort play their part and deserve a moment in the spotlight. The addition of the brutal Captain Dubois adds much of the high octane action, Skipper and the penguins use their know-how and quips for great effect, and the friendship of the characters is evident and touching.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is a great animation for young and old. Those who have followed the films will be rewarded with a fine continuing story. The 3D is extraordinary, everything thrown in - and at the camera's lens - for eye-popping effect. You will laugh out loud, you will be entertained, and you will want to move it, move it!

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WORTH: Matinee and BluRay

Tower Heist

A Heist Gone Wrong

Director: Brett Ratner

Writers: Ted Griffin, Jeff Nathanson, Adam Cooper, Bill Collage
Cast: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Téa Leoni, Michael Peña, Gabourey Sidibe

SYNOPSIS: After a wealthy business man of a New York luxury high-rise apartment is caught embezzling money in a Ponzi scheme, the residents and employees of the apartment building, realizing their retirement investment is gone, draw up a plan to steal a secret stash from his penthouse home.

REVIEW: Brett Ratner, director of the Rush Hour films and The Family Man, jumps behind the camera to helm the new Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy heist film. Written by the collective group of storytellers Ted Griffin (Matchstick Men), Jeff Nathanson (The Terminal), and Adam Cooper and Bill Collage (Accepted), Tower Heist looks like it could rise to new heights as a funny buddy cop...er, buddy criminal comedy.

Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller - Night At The Museum) is the general manager of the Tower, an up-scale luxury high rise apartment building in Manhattan, New York, tasked with handling the staff, the operations of the building, and the comforts and whims of the tenants. One of the most powerful, influential, and wealthy residents living in the penthouse, Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda - M*A*S*H), is accused of a Ponzi scheme affecting thousands of clients and their money, as well as the retirement savings of the Tower's staff. Shaw is placed under house arrest in his penthouse apartment by a team of FBI agents led by Special Agent Claire Denham (Téa Leoni - The Family Man). Josh, feeling responsible for asking Shaw to invest the staff's money, goes up to the penthouse to confront the financier. When things get out of hand during his visit, Josh and some of the other staff are summarily fired by their boss, Mr. Simon (Judd Hirsch - Taxi). Looking to make thing right with everyone on staff who lost their retirement and life savings, Josh enlists the help of fired soon-to-be-father concierge Charlie (Casey Affleck - Ocean's Eleven), divorced ex-Wall Street trader soon-to-be-evicted Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick - The Producers), and newly hired, newly fired elevator operator Enrique Dev'Reaux (Michael Peña - The Shooter). Realizing that he is going to need more than coworkers and former tenants, Josh bails out an actual thief, Slide (Eddie Murphy - Shrek), from jail to add some expertise and training to the men in his crew and to the his plans. Rounding out the crew is maid Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe - Precious) with a perchance for lock-picking.

Part Rush Hour and part Ocean's Eleven, Tower Heist is true to its namesake. Shaw stands accused, nestled into the cushy confines of his house-arrest penthouse and the rumor of $20 million stashed in Shaw's apartment leads Josh and his amateur crew of criminals to take on a plan that none of them are trained or capable of pulling off. Stiller plays the Meet the Parents straight man, but without the manic ticks and jitters. Eddie Murphy comes along as the elder version of Trading Places Billy Ray Valentine, with less laughs and more swearing. Broderick is defeated, Peña is clueless, Affleck looks like he strolled out of Ocean's Eleven, Alda plays it so cool his guilt is truly unknown, and Leoni, in spite of her pert nose and shining eyes, adds a tough exterior to go along with her federal badge.

In Tower Heist, the journey should be a fun, crazy ride, with the best parts are shown in the trailers. With high hopes for more funny hijinks, disappointment abounds with lackluster laughs and a watered down Ocean's Eleven-style heist plan. Stiller is too serious, and Murphy is too hardened and brazen. There are some funny parts, and a decent twist at the end, but the end result is a film that falls short on laughs and intrigue. Once the credits start scrolling, you may feel like there was a heist... on your wallet.

WORTH: Rental

Little Fockers

What the Fock?

[Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba]

image from boxofficebuz.com

RANT: My housemate wanted to go see Little Fockers. So we went together. Unfortunately, her and I have very different opinions on what we thought of the movie. I guess if everyone had the same opinion about films, we would not have a need for critics!

SYNOPSIS: The Fockers plan for a get-together for the birthday of their 5-year old twins. When Jack Byrnes wants to appoint Greg the successor as the new family patriarch, Greg finds himself buckling under the weight of the responsibility.

Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and gang return for the third installment of the Gaylord Greg Focker experience. Early trailers did not show Dustin Hoffman, which worried me, but he and Barbra do come back to fill out the Focker parents Bernie and Roz. Teri Polo and Blythe Danner make up the Byrnes legacy of Pam and her mother Dina, along with De Niro's Jack. And Owen Wilson returns as Kevin to yet again pine away for Pam. Even Jinxes the cat make a couple of cameos. Joining in on the fun is Jessica Alba as a pharmaceutical rep, Andi Garcia, with big plans for Greg and his career.

Although director Paul Weitz replaced two time Focker director Jay Roach, the actors and their characters are developed enough that nothing seems amiss as they return to the Focker world. Jack is still as paranoid and distrustful as ever, regardless of the success that Greg has made for Pam and his 5 year old twins. And as always, the Byrnes women stick by their men, knowing what makes them tick. Alba's Andi and Wilson's Kevin play the wild cards, somehow causing Jack to make much ado about nothing.

The situations in this outing are not as outlandish as those in Meet the Parents or Meet the Fockers, but as the franchise matures, so does the subject matter. Even though Jack and Greg continue to face off, it is more about the legacy and family that a man leaves behind and less about the two of them squaring off. Both are the rocks of their families, just in different ways. There are a couple great moments - one involving a children's ball pit and Jaws music, another with Jessica Alba taking a swan dive into a excavated backyard pit, and a third with some erectile dysfunction medication and an epi syringe.

If you enjoyed Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, you will be interested in how far the Byrnes and Fockers have come with the Little Fockers. But although I laughed out loud more than once, the latest effort still may not live up to the original or the sequel for some.

Worth: Matinee or Netflix

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