Borat 2

mr_edge_to_you · 24-10-2020 9:28am

Watched it last night. I really enjoyed it. Probably the most fun I've had watching the telly this year.

French Toast · 24-10-2020 11:54am

Watched it earlier. It was fine I suppose, very few memorable moments compared to the 1st one.

You can tell the recognizability of the character was a challenge this time around, inevitable I suppose.

I don't foresee a 3rd one coming.
5/10.

johnny_ultimate · 24-10-2020 12:03pm

It is what it is - a largely redundant comedy sequel that nevertheless generates some laughs. The first 30 minutes had plenty of decent gags, but I think the format then runs out of steam somewhat. Honestly reckon it works better in short form format - think it may have been sharper as a bunch of 20 minute episodes.

It does pick up again towards the end - the rally scene worked best of the ‘set pieces’ for me, and the Giuliani scene is fascinatingly odd. For what it’s worth, I went from ‘OK this is actually pretty innocent’... to ‘jesus why is his hand still down there’ in the space of around two seconds. I don’t think it’s any kind of smoking gun frankly, but it is a bit of a ‘yikes’ nervous laugh nonetheless.

Anyway, there’s a few good gags then again at the end and that’s about it. Perhaps most notable in the end for wading so unapologetically into the current moment - clearly rushed through production, at the expense of consistency. But is as timely a feature-length, coronavirus / QAnon era satire as we’ll get for a while.

Still Ill · 24-10-2020 3:24pm

The Giuliani bit certainly wasn't a smoking gun, but it could definitely have developed into one had they left it longer. You can't leave a young woman in that situation though I suppose. They got their memeable picture from it anyway. I'd say they couldn't believe their luck with that.

tipptom · 24-10-2020 4:57pm

Still Ill wrote: »

The Giuliani bit certainly wasn't a smoking gun, but it could definitely have developed into one had they left it longer. You can't leave a young woman in that situation though I suppose. They got their memeable picture from it anyway. I'd say they couldn't believe their luck with that.

Id stake my life on it developing further had Cohen not intervened.

He was enticed but it was horrible to see someone like that stretching himself on a bed of a private room off from where he was interviewed and patting her at his age and position in life.

fritzelly · 24-10-2020 6:07pm

Funny enough (a long while since I've seen a decent comedy) but not as good as the first one

hurikane · 24-10-2020 7:39pm

Watched last night, wasn’t sure if I’d maybe grown out of the type of humour, but reading this thread have decided it’s just sh1te.

Giruilla · 24-10-2020 9:42pm

Watched bruno again the other day was in stiches. Turned this garbage off after 5 mins. Can tell immediately hes lost it

Mad_maxx · 24-10-2020 9:56pm

Giruilla wrote: »

Watched bruno again the other day was in stiches. Turned this garbage off after 5 mins. Can tell immediately hes lost it

its better than BRUNO , that was just cock waving jokes for ninety minutes

24-10-2020 9:58pm

It's hard to know what's real and what isn't. How did they get so many cameras in the place he stayed with the two rednecks. I'd be interested in a behind-the-scenes type thing.

MisterAnarchy · 24-10-2020 10:08pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Honestly reckon it works better in short form format - think it may have been sharper as a bunch of 20 minute episodes.

All of Cohens characters work best in short sketches, his tv sketches are by far his best work.
Trying to stretch the format out to 90 minutes is a difficult feat .

Mr_Muffin · 24-10-2020 10:10pm

Loved the first movie. I often watch Borat/Bruno clips on YouTube and still find them funny. Watched this last night and it was pretty bad. I don't think I laughed once.

Borat is the funny character that I wanted to see - not his daughter (terrible character), or the people he was disguising himself as.

Giruilla · 24-10-2020 10:10pm

Mad_maxx wrote: »

its better than BRUNO , that was just cock waving jokes for ninety minutes

I was laughing re-watching bruno within first minute.

First few minutes of this were, rehashed jokes, then borat owns mickey mouse pyjamas ha, and his son changed his name to jeffrey epstein - how current.

El Gato De Negocios · 24-10-2020 11:42pm

Massive fan of the first one but jesus this was awful muck, turned off after an hour. Most of it was very obviously staged and that's where the magic of the set up is lost, his antics on the unsuspecting public was where the biggest laughs came from, this was just a cash grab. Really disappointed.

Homelander · 25-10-2020 10:27am

I really liked this I have to say, but you can't expect it to be a true sequel to the original Borat because it wouldn't work in the same format given how recognisable the character is.

Like, it's blatantly obviously mostly staged, but I'm OK with that. It works well as a comedy that feels somewhat true to the original given the filming style.

And there are a few real reactions/people involved that give it that Borat feel, like the dance scene at the Debutante Ball. Apparently those in attendance knew it would be featured in a movie, but had no idea in what context.

Was also obviously impacted by Covid - some scenes near the end involve terrible green-screening of characters onto real sets with real actors and obvious use of body doubles for close ups.

I dunno, overall, I found it funny and I'd take this over Bruno or The Dictator any day of the week.

Hollyworth · 25-10-2020 2:12pm

Awful. All the subtlety is out the window. SBC seems to have forgot how to do the voice. It sounded like someone doing an OK Borat impression.

A dud.

johnny_ultimate · 25-10-2020 2:32pm

Subtlety? Borat? The first film was about as subtle as m’The Running of the Jew’ :pac:

Hollyworth · 25-10-2020 2:45pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Subtlety? Borat? The first film was about as subtle as m’The Running of the Jew’ :pac:

Borat at the beginning was very subtle. He had an innocence about him. He was naive. A little face, or laugh he would give was all he needed. There was something genuine about him, as if he could be a real person, as mad as he was.

Now he's a full on caricature of himself. Played by an actor who has forgot how to be the character. Totally over the top and stagey.

ThunbergsAreGo · 25-10-2020 9:58pm

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

Watched it last night. I really enjoyed it. Probably the most fun I've had watching the telly this year.

Agree, really really enjoyed it.

It's just fun

Sexual Chocolate · 25-10-2020 10:02pm

Watched it as well earlier on today, funniest thing I've watched in a while.

Was a bit wtf looking at the interview near the end.

TheValeyard · 25-10-2020 10:53pm

Really enjoyed the first one.

This.......

Couple of laughs, just didn't like it much.

RurtBeynolds · 25-10-2020 11:11pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It's hard to know what's real and what isn't. How did they get so many cameras in the place he stayed with the two rednecks. I'd be interested in a behind-the-scenes type thing.

It's not hard to know, 95% of it was staged.

bigpink · 26-10-2020 2:54am

Very poor

ozmo · 26-10-2020 3:11am

RurtBeynolds wrote: »

It's not hard to know, 95% of it was staged.

had to know - I was thinking most of the interactions with people - shop keepers, influencers, could be real or at least they agreed to an interview or be filmed without knowing what it was to be used for.

This article says mostly real, except for one interaction - who's relatives are suing him anyway.

https://decider.com/2020/10/23/is-borat-2-real-mike-pence-cpac/

showpony1 · 26-10-2020 3:48am

Wasn't enjoying it too much - but thought the rally scene was very funny.

theguzman · 26-10-2020 8:34pm

Very poor and only got two laughs out of me, it was not funny like the original Borat, it was politically correct and they should have changed the title to Borat-Biden 2020. Only funny bit for me was when he ordered the fleshlight instead of a flashlight.

Ikozma · 27-10-2020 12:14am

Very little actual borat in it, which is what we all wanted at the end of the day

27-10-2020 1:48am

Zardoz wrote: »

Giuliani did nothing inappropriate in the film.
Was a bit naive but was just trying to be polite.

Seriously? He went into a bedroom with a reporter and he was very handsy while he was at it. He then lay down on the bed and opened his trousers. Even if he was just tucking himself in, he was very clearly creeping.

To suggest that the legal adviser to the white house and former 9/11 mayor of new York could be this 'naive' is improbable

As for the movie itself, I thought it was very good. Not number 1 good but I think it's just a very high standard to try and reach again.

Apart from the daughter dance and jew scenes which I thought were just competent unfunny and wrong.

Also rewatched the original and the dictator with someone who had never seen them. Both of us found them hilarious.

Padre_Pio · 27-10-2020 1:57am

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

Seriously? He went into a bedroom with a reporter and he was very handsy while he was at it. He then lay down on the bed and opened his trousers. Even if he was just tucking himself in, he was very clearly creeping.

To suggest that the legal adviser to the white house and former 9/11 mayor of new York could be this 'naive' is improbable

Is this entertainment though?

I'm not entertained by watching Rudy Giuliani being creepy in the presence of an young girl.
Same with most of "This is America". It's no more funny and entertaining than those "to Catch a Predator" videos.

I think back to Ali G and the early Borat stuff, which is "Lets put these weird characters in the presence of high profile people and see how they react".

Now its morphed into "Let's get these high profile people to incriminate themselves by putting them in highly suspect situations, then cutting and editing to present them in the worst light possible".

If that's the direction they want to go, then fair enough, but stop selling it as a comedy film with a bullsh*t story.

27-10-2020 3:26am

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Is this entertainment though?

I'm not entertained by watching Rudy Giuliani being creepy in the presence of an young girl.
Same with most of "This is America". It's no more funny and entertaining than those "to Catch a Predator" videos.

I think back to Ali G and the early Borat stuff, which is "Lets put these weird characters in the presence of high profile people and see how they react".

Now its morphed into "Let's get these high profile people to incriminate themselves by putting them in highly suspect situations, then cutting and editing to present them in the worst light possible".

If that's the direction they want to go, then fair enough, but stop selling it as a comedy film with a bullsh*t story.

I agree, I didnt find it funny either but it was at the end of the movie and about 5 minutes

rtron · 27-10-2020 8:51am

I thought Bakalova was brilliant in this. She was nearly as good as cohen at setting up the reactions from the people. Wish I waited until lockdown blues kicked in before watching this, very funny.

Inviere · 27-10-2020 9:15am

I'm a big fan of the original. This though, was a big thumbs down unfortunately. It just wasn't funny, barring a handful of laughs. Granted to recapture what they originally were able to with an unknown Borat, just isn't possible anymore...but the whole premise of this film just lacked something. It very much felt like a fictional comedy more akin to The Dictator...rather than "put these nut jobs alongside real people and let hilarity ensue".

rtron wrote: »

I thought Bakalova was brilliant in this. She was nearly as good as cohen at setting up the reactions from the people.

I'd agree with that, she more than held her own against Cohen (not easy I imagine!).

Sugarlumps · 27-10-2020 9:57am

Watched 10 minutes, wished I had turned it off after five.

Hoboo · 27-10-2020 9:59am

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Watched 10 minutes, wished I had turned it off after five.

You missed comedy gold so.

The Raging Bile Duct · 27-10-2020 10:56am

Watched it in two sections. The first hour was pretty terrible and I gave up on it. The last half an hour or so was better with the rally and the QAnon stuff but it is not a patch on the first one.

ziedth · 27-10-2020 1:39pm

I would go as far to say the first one is in my top 3 comedies of all time so I have a certain bias to be fair. I enjoyed it as a whole - There were a half dozen or so good laughs in there and I agree that I thought the daughter was actually quite good.

Overall though its a far cry off the original but enough upsides that it can stand on its own. A solid if unspectacular 6/10 for me.

boredatwork82 · 27-10-2020 1:44pm

I love most Sacha Baron Cohen's stuff. The first Borat was class.

This is awful. Not a single laugh.

NSAman · 27-10-2020 1:45pm

Cringey most of the time. I’m not sure if that was me being “politically correct” (which I am not) but I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes at the dance scene.

It was enjoyable and seriously, you have to wonder WHY giuliani went into a bedroom with a young woman...optics for him are terrible.

Outkast_IRE · 27-10-2020 1:48pm

Ok at best , I do not think Borat is the right character to be preaching and teaching lessons. It all feels a bit shoved down your throat at the end.

The performances were good all round , just a bit unfunny in large sections unfortunately. Maybe Covid didn't help I would imagine it hit them right in the middle of production making many segments near impossible to film that they may have planned.

rtron · 27-10-2020 10:26pm

NSAman wrote: »

It was enjoyable and seriously, you have to wonder WHY giuliani went into a bedroom with a young woman...optics for him are terrible.

I reckon that could have been filmed at the very start before the sit down part. In a hotel room there is only a bed or two and small seating area usually.

Plumbthedepths · 27-10-2020 10:29pm

I never realised how political Cohen is, utter ****e tbh. Ripping the piss out of Trump is gone stale at this stage.

snickers · 27-10-2020 10:56pm

I know Cohen is a Jew but again in this one the Jews he try’s to take the piss out of couldn’t be nicer to him I felt so bad for the old Jewish couple in the last one they were so welcoming even with him being so rude and same this time the little old Jewish lady was unfazed by his rudeness .

theguzman · 27-10-2020 11:55pm

snickers wrote: »

I know Cohen is a Jew but again in this one the Jews he try’s to take the piss out of couldn’t be nicer to him I felt so bad for the old Jewish couple in the last one they were so welcoming even with him being so rude and same this time the little old Jewish lady was unfazed by his rudeness .

She died shortly afterwards and the film is dedicated in her memory although apparently her family were unhappy about the whole thing.

Wedwood · 28-10-2020 12:22am

Cohen’s attitude to comedy is Taboo subjects including racism are fair game. To be honest I can’t make my mind up as to whether or not he’s using razor sharp comedy to highlight social issues, or just a mercenary who’ll do anything for a cheap laugh.

The Raging Bile Duct · 28-10-2020 12:24am

theguzman wrote: »

She died shortly afterwards and the film is dedicated in her memory although apparently her family were unhappy about the whole thing.

The family tried to sue but it turned out she knew exactly what was going to happen. SBC seemingly explained it all to get before they started filming.

The Raging Bile Duct · 28-10-2020 12:25am

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I never realised how political Cohen is, utter ****e tbh. Ripping the piss out of Trump is gone stale at this stage.

How could you not realise that?

Padre_Pio · 28-10-2020 12:26am

Wedwood wrote: »

Cohen’s attitude to comedy is Taboo subjects including racism are fair game. To be honest I can’t make my mind up as to whether or not he’s using razor sharp comedy to highlight social issues, or just a mercenary who’ll do anything for a cheap laugh.

I think it's gone from something that was inherently good natured to something that's just mean.

No one came out of the early Ali G or Borat interview looking like an idiot, except for Ali G and Borat.

Now they're specifically targeting republicans and conservatives with the aim of ridiculing them.
Well done, you found some rednecks who believe in QAnon. Well done, you got some governor to pull his pants down. It's less entertainment and more bullying.

Sir Oxman · 28-10-2020 12:29am

I turned it off after about 40 minutes.
Loved the first one.
May give this another go but the bit I saw was sh1te.

antodeco · 28-10-2020 12:32am

Just watched it there. Quite disappointed. Some good moments in it. A few really awkward bits. At The ending of the movie though I actually felt glad I watched it. Worth the watch, but glad its free!

briany · 28-10-2020 12:44am

I thought it was pretty funny. Had some good moments. Impossible to top the first film, though, just due to sheer logistics. He couldn't actually *be* Borat throughout a good chunk of the film due to being recognised as such and his cover being blown, so him having to put on disguises felt really contrived, and it felt much more like Who is America but he's doing the Borat voice. And on the subject of the voice, Cohen didn't seem to commit as much to the accent and turns of phrase, and he sounded a good deal more natural in his English speaking. In my opinion, the voice is a big part of the character's comedy.

The actress they hired to play the daughter was excellent. She matched Cohen's comedy performance pretty easily.

Borat 2

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