Bruno entertains, but disappoints
Added 11/24/2009
Is Bruno funny? Yes. Is it better than Borat? Certainly not. I found Bruno to be too vulgar, and don't get me wrong, I have no problem with vulgarity, but this was a little too much. I understand that Sacha Baron Cohen was trying to make some point about America's homophobic tendencies, but that point gets lost in a sea of sex and nudity. He just tries way too hard to emit laughs from the audience, be it genuinely funny laughs or laughs of nervousness (you'll know what I mean during the TV show test screening scene). Borat had a great mix of clever and goofy dialogue with vulgar, outrageous situations. Bruno, on the other hand, just has vulgar, outraegous situations. Of course, some of these situations are funny (though not as gut-busting hilarious as I found Borat to be), but it seems like it just isn't funny more often than it should be. Overall, Bruno is a good movie and just further proves that Baron Cohen is a talented man, but it just isn't as good as it could be. I recommend renting it, it's worth the small fee.
On a side note, the technical aspects of this Blu-ray are passable, but not that great. The picture seems to be a little grainy. I'm not sure if this to make the documentary style more authentic, but nonetheless, it isn't reference quality. The audio is nothing spectacular, I mean, this is a comedy movie, which doesn't really rely on audio anyways. Plus, I don't even really pay attention to audio as I have a very basic home theater (by home theater I mean a $250 720p/1080i HDTV and a PS3), so the audio doesn't pack much of a punch. If I can hear it clearly, its alright with me.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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More shocking than funny
Added 11/24/2009
Its hard to tell if Bruno is a modern social commentary on homophobia, or simply one long gay joke, using the homosexual male as a punching bag for cheep laughs and gags. I'm on the fence, and because I'm on the fence, I'm disappointed in this movie. Bruno was a character in the very known but rarely seen Da Ali G Show. His gags always were a play on homosexuality, in that he was often playing on the homophobia of the deep south, conservative, or frat boys, using the fear and uncomfortableness with homosexuality as a funny and social commentary. The movie seems to never balance this comedy in the same way. While there are many very funny parts along these lines (the gay converters springs to mind), they are bookended with jokes at the expense of gay men. Sure, some will find this funny, but its an old type of humor that really promotes the behavior of the homophobic that the movie seems to condemn.
Other than this, the movie is watchable, though not particularly great. There are moments that are very funny, but many times I felt that the movie was trying to out gross and out offend Borat. As if the bar had been set, and the only way to be funny is be more shocking than before. This resulted in a number of gags fall flat, or simply exist to offend. Am I expecting too much from the guys who brought the world Borat? Probably. But that doesn't change that this movie was made a mediocre movie as a result.
Overall, the movie has its moments, but never succeeds in becoming something special. If you're looking for a comedy based on shock jokes, you might want to watch it. Otherwise, probably best to watch something else.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Just as funny as Borat
Added 11/24/2009
After watching the movie on Bluray, I came to the conclusion that this movie is just as funny as Borat, whereas, after I saw it in the theater, I thought it was good, but not as great as Borat. This is thanks in large part to the hilarious and thoughtful special features, it's a shame many of the deleted scenes were cut out. Of course, you must have an open mind and not be easily offended to enjoy this type of comedy, which requires a bit of intelligence in order to appreciate, unlike most other forms of humor these days.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Funny as hell, but not for anyone.
Added 11/23/2009
This movie has some funny jaw dropping moments. I can understand why some people would hate it. It puts you out of your comfort zone. Its unexpected, original, funny and shocking all at the same time. I personally loved every second of it and only wish they could come out with Bruno 2.
I had expected the famous Sears scene that was in the trailer to make the DVD but sadly it had disappeared along with the other scene where Bruno is dancing in a club setup. It takes great courage to go through what the production team and actors had to go through shooting the film. Like Lloyd said that America is lacking sense of humor today so enjoy the movie for what it is and GET UBER IT.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Completely unfunny
Added 11/22/2009
I had high hopes for a serious laugh-a-thon when I ordered this film...boy was I disappointed.
I thoroughly enjoyed both the UK and HBO TV series of Ali-G as well as the Borat movie. Bruno on the otherhand, was tasteless and completely unfunny.
I'd recommend that the reader of this review spend their money on Mr. Cohen's much funnier earlier works.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Bruno entertains, but disappoints
Added 11/24/2009
Is Bruno funny? Yes. Is it better than Borat? Certainly not. I found Bruno to be too vulgar, and don't get me wrong, I have no problem with vulgarity, but this was a little too much. I understand that Sacha Baron Cohen was trying to make some point about America's homophobic tendencies, but that point gets lost in a sea of sex and nudity. He just tries way too hard to emit laughs from the audience, be it genuinely funny laughs or laughs of nervousness (you'll know what I mean during the TV show test screening scene). Borat had a great mix of clever and goofy dialogue with vulgar, outrageous situations. Bruno, on the other hand, just has vulgar, outraegous situations. Of course, some of these situations are funny (though not as gut-busting hilarious as I found Borat to be), but it seems like it just isn't funny more often than it should be. Overall, Bruno is a good movie and just further proves that Baron Cohen is a talented man, but it just isn't as good as it could be. I recommend renting it, it's worth the small fee.
On a side note, the technical aspects of this Blu-ray are passable, but not that great. The picture seems to be a little grainy. I'm not sure if this to make the documentary style more authentic, but nonetheless, it isn't reference quality. The audio is nothing spectacular, I mean, this is a comedy movie, which doesn't really rely on audio anyways. Plus, I don't even really pay attention to audio as I have a very basic home theater (by home theater I mean a $250 720p/1080i HDTV and a PS3), so the audio doesn't pack much of a punch. If I can hear it clearly, its alright with me.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
More shocking than funny
Added 11/24/2009
Its hard to tell if Bruno is a modern social commentary on homophobia, or simply one long gay joke, using the homosexual male as a punching bag for cheep laughs and gags. I'm on the fence, and because I'm on the fence, I'm disappointed in this movie. Bruno was a character in the very known but rarely seen Da Ali G Show. His gags always were a play on homosexuality, in that he was often playing on the homophobia of the deep south, conservative, or frat boys, using the fear and uncomfortableness with homosexuality as a funny and social commentary. The movie seems to never balance this comedy in the same way. While there are many very funny parts along these lines (the gay converters springs to mind), they are bookended with jokes at the expense of gay men. Sure, some will find this funny, but its an old type of humor that really promotes the behavior of the homophobic that the movie seems to condemn.
Other than this, the movie is watchable, though not particularly great. There are moments that are very funny, but many times I felt that the movie was trying to out gross and out offend Borat. As if the bar had been set, and the only way to be funny is be more shocking than before. This resulted in a number of gags fall flat, or simply exist to offend. Am I expecting too much from the guys who brought the world Borat? Probably. But that doesn't change that this movie was made a mediocre movie as a result.
Overall, the movie has its moments, but never succeeds in becoming something special. If you're looking for a comedy based on shock jokes, you might want to watch it. Otherwise, probably best to watch something else.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Just as funny as Borat
Added 11/24/2009
After watching the movie on Bluray, I came to the conclusion that this movie is just as funny as Borat, whereas, after I saw it in the theater, I thought it was good, but not as great as Borat. This is thanks in large part to the hilarious and thoughtful special features, it's a shame many of the deleted scenes were cut out. Of course, you must have an open mind and not be easily offended to enjoy this type of comedy, which requires a bit of intelligence in order to appreciate, unlike most other forms of humor these days.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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