Baron Cohen, aka Britain's Mike Myers, brings his alter ego Ali G to the big screen (with a cameo for Borat) in this outrageous and energetic comedy. We're in Ali's strange world in Staines--a white middle class neighbourhood in the grips of gang warfare from rapper wannabes like Ali and his posse (Freeman and Way), not to mention his slapper girlfriend (Bright). Soon Ali becomes a pawn in a political game involving the Prime Minister (Gambon) and his deputy (Dance). And before he knows it, he's a member of the House of Commons with the power to change the world!

We know from the beginning what the tone will be, as Ali appears alongside the BBFC certificate making rude comments to try to up the certificate from 15 to 18, to no avail. There's nothing remotely subtle here, but there are just enough clever jabs at everything from pop fashion to the UN that we stay engaged ... and laughing. Yes, most everything goes way over the top--especially the relentless stream of tasteless sex/drugs/toilet jokes. And there are several devices that just don't work (Ali continually interrupting the film, for one).

Believability isn't an issue here, so I won't mention the ludicrous plot or shallow comedy-sketch characters. And there are a couple of feeble attempts to push Ali's vaguely serious "keep it real" message, not to mention some mushy romantic entanglements; but fortunately the filmmakers undercut this kind of thing at every opportunity. While much of the film is simply roll-your-eyes unfunny, there are just enough dead-on zingers that it's likely to be a big Kevin & Perry style hit.

adult themes, strong language, drugs, vulgarity

6.Mar.02