Review of The Dictator (2012) by Elian D — 28 Jun 2016

I get it: americans are stupid and racist, there is no democracy and the world is shitty. Baron Cohen hammers this with the subtlety of a Jackhammer on crack. The film has its fun moments, which are then spoiled when they decide they have to explain every joke right after they say it, even if said joke is being said for the third time.

Example: The what is your name bit. He gives three or for times a name lifted from a sign from a restaurant. They show you the signs when entering the restaurant. He says the name (e.g. Employees Mustwashhands) and then they close up in on the sign. Then they do the same with other three signs. This kind of "milking the overexplained joke" is done again and again through all the film. So I'm pretty sure that the actual joke of The Dictator is Sacha Baron Cohen calling the viewer an idiot wile getting paid to do so.

Anna Faris is dreadful here and Kingsley is obviously there for a quick, effortless buck. Asif, though in short part is amusing.

Not worth the time.