Brüno

Brüno, just face it: Derek Zoolander is simply a prettier, but really a prettier class of guy. Your bad luck lies in the fact that you have always been so obviously the “third wheel" even in the days when Sacha Baron Cohen was still really funny and original (i.e. in the days of short sketches with Borat and Ali G). But what now, when he’s just regurgitating himself and has trouble coming to terms with feature length productions. As a result he spends more time puckering his butt to the camera than criticizing public attitudes. In other words, I think that Cohen no longer has anything to say through the mouth of Ali/Borat/Brüno and should begin to consider a different alter ego. (12/09/2009)

I like Borat better... But then again, Borat, as capable a reporter as he is, didn't do as great of an interview with Harrison Ford. I'll give Bruno that. The rest of the film is worth remembering for the child casting (possibly the best scene ever), the Middle East peace mission, the ending in the wrestling arena and the great song. Otherwise, I especially appreciate Cohen's courage and ability to make a complete fool of himself and embarrass others. (02/16/2013)

The same formula as that used in Borat (a weird European guy goes to make it big in America, accompanied by an assistant with whom he has a row and then they make up) is clad in a different and, at the same time, very similar type of humor. The humor in Borat, however, didn’t limit itself to anuses and a little adopted black boy – and that’s why I found it more varied, relatable and imaginative. Which doesn’t change the fact that Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the best comedians alive. I believe that his talent would also be enough for serious character acting. (08/12/2009)

This is a movie that I probably like the least from Sacha Baron Cohen's filmography. There are funny moments that absolutely got me, but this alter ego is just too exaggerated, too over-the-top, and even over-acted. The fact that it is offensive is part of Cohen's style and it doesn't bother me, but at times it's just silly and lacks Borat's naturalness, unscriptedness, and documentary feel. Here, everything is just too scripted, too forced. The second time around, something so similar simply didn't charm me that much. (12/23/2013)

Outrageous sham. Cohen is a complete lunatic, capable of embarrassing and ridiculing anyone who comes along – and surprisingly, he's got away with it so far. While in Borat he scored with his ability to wring the absolute maximum out of a completely hollow story, and his raunchy humour was, with the exception of one scene, dispensed in a proper, varied and very effective measure, here everything is played on just one card – and let me tell you that it is no ace of spades. I don't know what Cohen was trying to accomplish, but I certainly didn't like the dirty talk, the hideous outfits, the vibrators and the endless anal references. What cannot be denied, however, is Bruno’s enormous vigour, inventiveness and the persistence with which he flew into the heterosexual world and which this time, if only a little bit, patched up the wasted potential of one of the most talented comedians of our time:) Maybe next time... (07/06/2012)