User reviews

Most of the movie is pretty witty. The satire is crude and unfiltered, but most of it is pretty spot on. A bit like South Park stories but with bigger children.

The gross out humor however could have been way shorter. Some low hanging fruit lowest common denominator jokes were drawn out unnecessarily. I had to skip several 10 minute parts, but I missed none of the story anyway.

The love story part was forced. The suspension of disbelief was stretched so far it was almost painful.

Overall it was a reasonable story and I did laugh several times.

It could have used some extra editing and other extra care, then it would be a really good movie.

Ali G, Borat, Bruno. If you've seen any of them, then you probably know what to expect from Sacha Baron Cohen. Vulgar, crude, politically INcorrect are just some of the terms you could use - depending on your opinion.

Basically, if you're easily offended, you probably won't want to watch the tale of an evil Middle Eastern Dictator who finds himself lost in America amidst a plot to oust him from power.

However, there are still plenty of people who find this sort of humour funny (and I'm one of them). Personally, I didn't think it was as good as Borat or Bruno as the second half seemed a bit forced. The film lasted just under the typical hour and a half mark, but probably could have got away with being an hour long. It would probably have been a pretty funny hour - if you like that sort of thing.

The major criticisms being thrown at The Dictator is claims of racism (just like Borat and Ali G, not to mention claims of homophobia at Bruno) and whether the film mocks Middle Eastern stereotypes, or whether it actually attacks those who impose the stereotypes. The film has also come under fire for being too 'pro-Jew' too anti-American and generally too liberal. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. It's one of those arguments where if you're looking to use this film to support or challenge your own political viewpoint or religious beliefs there are arguments for and against.

The bottom line is that it's quite funny. Quite. Not as good as Borat or Bruno, but still there are plenty of silly and vulgar (and I should emphasis the words 'silly' and 'vulgar' because they're the backbone of this film) moments to make you laugh out loud. Probably not a classic, but entertaining nonetheless.

I usually avoid movies I know will be explicit and include crude humor because it's just not my cup of tea. So, right off the bat I was expecting this movie to be absolutely horrible... I do not know if it was my low expectations before the screening, but I actually enjoyed this movie very much. In order to enjoy this movie, however, you do have to somewhat detach yourself from thinking too much into the wealth of racist and crude humor contained in the movie. Nevertheless, The Dictator is satire, it is a movie making fun of the real world, and if you let it be, it makes you aware (while laughing) at the racist thoughts and stereotypes ordinary people have everyday. Yes, it has its strange and explicit scenes, but overall, I think it has substance and it was very funny. Put your "Victorian" influences aside for a night and have a good laugh. Watch it.

I went to see this movie with my friend. I would consider that we both have a good sense of humor and are open to all sorts of jokes. I have seen other movies by Sacha Baron Cohen, like Bruno and Borat. I found Borat to be hilarious, but Bruno was a bit over the top for me. This movie strikes a balance between the two, but leans more towards (my personally favored) Borat side.

The comedy in this movie is both hilarious and uncomfortable at times. It has the same LOL- quality as it did in Borat, but there are scenes where the comedy is so crude that it is almost uncomfortable watching/listening to it. The movie is definitely funny, but you will not enjoy it if you do not find jokes about racism and stereotypes funny.

The plot is your typical Sacha Baron Cohen plot; a person from an entirely different culture travels to America and you watch how incompatible the two cultures are. Also, just like most of Sacha Baron Cohen movies, there is a love story intertwined. It's not the dramatic and sensitive kind of love story though. The plot itself is not very immersive, and I believe that its only purpose is to lead you to the funny parts.

I will say this though, the ending speech of this movie given by 'The Dictator' really impressed me. It made me realize how well Sacha Baron Cohen understands politics and stereotypes. You have to hear it for yourself.

If you're looking for a movie with consistent but crude laugh-out-loud comedy, but do not look for a serious and powerful plot, then you will enjoy this film. On the other hand, if you cringe at racist and stereotype jokes, you will be covering your ears virtually the entire movie.

Approach with an open mind.

I'm a little perplexed having read a couple of user reviews - one of them said this was movie was unbelievable and unconvincing due to the fact that it had a love theme going on? huh? I suppose the film 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' is unbelievable too? In fact, how many movies are believable? 'The Dictator' is a comedy, nothing less and nothing more than that, and that was the intention. Whether it's believable or not is irrelevant. The movie had plenty of laugh out loud moments.

I'm glad this movie headed in a different direction from his previous efforts. Had the film continued in the same fashion as the reality TV way, then I don't think it would have stood any chance of working, not with this new character anyway. So to those who are expecting and hoping for something similar to Bruno and Borat you may be left a little disappointed, but for those who wouldn't mind seeing something slightly different, and can take a movie for what it is, then you should enjoy this, as I did.

I'm revisiting various comedies from the 2000s and 2010s to answer one question: why do American comedies taken such a nosedive as of late?

The Dictator may not be one of the decade's greatest comedies and was widely viewed as - to use a contemporary term - quite mid. Not too bad, nothing amazing. Yes, Baron Cohen has made better films and more enduring, interesting characters. Oddly, General Aladeen (the titular Dictator) comes off as a relic of a time past: we really don't have dictators quite like Muammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein - two men who are obvious inspirations to Cohen's eclectic, offensive, and frankly, hilarious character - anymore, do we?

There's also this tongue-in-cheek, "we can be offensive as we want" energy that I kind of love about this movie. Nowadays, even Cohen himself seems mindful of causing too much offense to the wrong groups. But back then, it really didn't matter: anyone was fair game. That, along with the film's anti-authoritarian leanings, makes it a celebration of free speech and expression. So much so that the film (intelligently) manages to criticize the democratic world and the United States in particular quite mercilessly.

There are some truly hilarious gags involving bodily humour to, as per Cohen's style. He can be very sophisticated and satirical, but go for a good masturbation or body hair or...um...phone inside a woman giving birth joke as well. This is not a movie that "elevates" itself from the things we all know are really funny, deep down.

The supporting cast is also really good here. Ben Kingsley was the perfect choice, Anna Faris has that face that conveys well meaning stupidity unlike any other actress in Hollywood, and Jason Mantzoukas...man, you could've told me he was an Iranian nuclear scientist and I'd believe you. I cannot accept that he's of "100% Greek heritage" (although, apparently he's long has an interest in the Middle East and has lived and studied there).

The movie isn't perfect. It gets a little silly at times and the jokes sometimes overstay their welcome. Its brand of humour isn't for everyone either. It also lacks the staying power of Cohen's other films and I think part of that has to do with the - likely studio - insistence that it be a romantic comedy. It doesn't really work, even if it is really funny.

Lesson Learned: Even a "mid" comedy from America's Comedic Golden Age is better than most comedies today. The Dictator is willing to piss everyone off and it ages like fine wine.

I saw a preview screening of this in London.

As expected from Sacha's previous outings and trailers, this film is in extremely bad taste with plenty of filth, blatant offence (disguised as naivety) of every race, gender, age, animal, disability, sexual orientations, terrorism and politics. Sacha gets away with it because no one is left out. No one, including white folks and straight men. Actually, I lie. I don't know how the hell he gets away with it. The important question is, though, is it funny? Yeah...mostly.

There are enough roll in the isle moments to make this worth the ticket but there are also plenty of misfired jokes too, some of which really makes you groan but that's to be expected for a relentless joke firing machine which incidentally has (perhaps mercifully) a short run time of 84mins.

Another burning question I ask myself, while watching this is do I feel guilty laughing at some of the offencive jokes? Yes I do, my guilty conscience raises its ugly head but then I realise (or perhaps I'm just making excuses) that I am laughing at the Dictator's naivety and hilarious sense of misplaced morality while others around him frown at his demeanours.

This is a departure from the Borat, Ali G, and Bruno stable. With those previous films, real people are sought after and ridiculed by scrutinising their reactions and moral bases. This film, however is purely fictitious, Naked Gun style comedy very much similar to Eddie Murphy's Coming to America with obviously a lot lot less subtlety. However, Sacha's Dictator has pretty much the same political correctness that Borat has but with more hilarious Dictatorship cravings such as executing anyone that annoys him.

A good supporting cast thankfully gives this zany film a little bit more variety, particularly Anna Francis, comically playing off the Dictator's character who frankly dominates almost every frame (as I guess a dictator would). John C Reilly also gives a short but hilarious turn. And then there are a few special cameo celebrity guest appearances (or victims, rather) sprinkled around.

There are a couple of moments political satire that stands out in hilarity and I wish there was more of it. Alas, it seems vulgarity is more favoured.

So if you have no guilty conscience, welcome vulgarity and all things "un-pc" with open arms, do not despise Sacha Cohen Baron and are willing to kiss his armpits (last one is optional), then I reckon you will enjoy this film. For me, filthy films are not my normal cup of tea, nevertheless I did enjoy this but I need a long shower after watching it.

I re-watched it and it is not as great as borat but it has lot of amazing parts the comedic timing is also good It has re-watch potential sacha is such good actor in comedy movies.

I wish there were more comedies like that - crossing over the political correctness line, but not over the line of good taste, so as to make a movie hard to watch.

The film is quite pointy, it is for a moderate audience and will make all kinds of extremists quite unhappy. The plot is well thought out and funny. It'll nail you to the screen.

I like the unorthodox character of this film, Sacha Baron Cohen's movies are definitely one of the kind. I wouldn't consider the humor crude, but it is certainly honest. Some of the unthinkable things you see are likely to have happened in reality.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a Master Actor! No two options on that! His range as a performer, is undeniable & indeed terrific. With his latest box-office hit 'The Dictator', Sacha delivers a yet another masterful performance, that exhibits his potential to the optimum.

'The Dictator' Synopsis: The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

'The Dictator' is funny & entertaining, but its obviously not logical. It has moments that are so absurd, that you might feel repulsed, but 'The Dictator' at least stays true to its genre. The Screenplay Written by Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer & Sacha himself, is funny, but crass & overtly crude, but it never loses pace. Larry Charles's Direction is adequate.

Sacha embodies Admiral General Aladeen & is simply masterful in here. A Versatile, Marvelous Actor, who once again delivers beyond expectations. Here's an actor who needs to be taken more seriously. Being so good in a silly film such as this, proves how good he can get in a film that offers a stronger background.

On the whole, 'The Dictator' isn't the finest comedy you'd see, but its entertaining nonetheless.

With Sacha Baron Cohen in the lead, "The Dictator" displays coarse humour in his own idiosyncratic way. Despite having a middling storyline; the drolly punchlines, jocular dialogues & ludicrous character interactions outshining everything else.

'Admiral General Aladeen', most likely one of the memorable comic characters you would ever witness! An egoistic, misogynistic person, played by Sacha with enough conviction; and that too with so much ease. From his accent to his mannerisms, Mr. Cohen grasping the nuances of a character; and making it his very own! So the case with every role that he chooses.

On the technical front, there is absolutely nothing to bemoan about. The same remarks go to its modernized Soundscore. Quite fitting, if you ask me! Story wise; it's formulaic, yet scrappy. Only savior being its overboard humor, alongside few astutely penned facetious interactions, that Aladeen had with the others. If only those characters had much subsistence to begin with.

Lastly, for Cohen admirers; this one's a must watch. Also for those who adore satirical setups mainly based upon political affairs! Apparently with a few infrequent similarities, it is still not quite upto Borat's level.

Keep your expectations on check!

Haffaz Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) is the tyrannical ruler of the Republic of Wadiya. His uncle Tamir (Ben Kingsley) schemes to take over. Aladeen escapes and loses his identity. He has trouble fitting in as a nobody in New York and hippie store owner Zoey (Anna Faris) gives him a job.

Sacha Baron Cohen is at it again with another character. There's definitely a lot of Colonel Ghaddafi in this personality. I LOVE Borat. It is one of the most brilliant comedy in recent memory. On the other hand, I HATE Brüno and Ali G is watchable only in short bursts. Why? It's hard to explain but funny is sometimes very personal. I like The Dictator.

For those who are offended by this movie, you have no business watching a Sasha Baren Cohen movie. You're probably the same type who thinks Tarantino's movies are just about violence. Sasha Baren Cohen is a Jew playing an Islamic dictator; what were you expecting?

I didn't really like Borat and I hated Bruno but this movie was genuinely funny. Sasha once again shows how he can be so offensively funny. Yes, he pushes the boundaries with his comedy and he does go over board a lot of the time but this one was actually done well.

This is the type of movie where you'll need to listen to every line spoken because so many jokes are thrown at you at times, it's hard to recognize all of them. Definitely 10 times better than I thought it'd be. LOL even the music is done hilariously.

1 thumb up

As my title, suggests, there is no bad movie starring Sacha Baron Cohen. This is simply brilliant in comedy, story and dark humour. It's an example of the perfect comedy formula: story, iconic characters, funny moments and a little bit of dark humour (in this case A LOT!!), if you're a fan of the dark stuff.....watch this!!

Following last year's impressive performance in Martin Scorsese's critically-acclaimed Hugo (2011), British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is back doing what he does best with yet another satirical caricature to add to his ever growing list. For his latest endeavor, The Dictator (2012), Cohen has once again reunited with director Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno), in a film that benefits much from an uncharacteristically straightforward narrative.

The Dictator's narrative is a little bit more scripted than Cohen's previous efforts, which saw him interact with real people - often with hilarious results. In addition to the riches-to-rags story beat, there is also a Rom-com element to the film as Aladeen is helped along his journey of redemption by Zoey, which makes for some humorous moments.

You needn't worry about it being too scripted though; Cohen's unique brand of offensive humor is on full display from the outset as sexist, racist, and vulgar gags abound. Saddled in-between are a number of outrageous, cringe-worthy sequences that have long been Cohen's trademark. These often occur with scientist turned partner-in-crime Nadal, and the chemistry between Cohen and Mantzoukas is evident.

Admittedly, not all the jokes hit their mark - the celebrity cameos (including Megan Fox) don't have the intended impact, but the audience reaction is for the most part well-calculated. The hilarious usage of overblown music tracks such as Moment Like This is just one example of the excellent comedic timing which permeates The Dictator throughout.

If you don't take Cohen's latest role too seriously, you may likely find Admiral General Aladeen to be another fantastic character to add to Cohen's catalogue. Assuming you're not easily offended, The Dictator is laugh-out-loud comedy at its best.

The non-stop jokes, off-color humor, slapstick and under 90 minute running time of "The Dictator" hearkens back to early Woody Allen gems like "What's Up Tiger Lily," "Take The Money and Run," "Bananas," and "Love and Death. And, in the world of comedy, that's quite a compliment.

Like Cohen, Allen's first films were often misunderstood. Some folks just did not get the joke. Many still don't get it today. The object of comedy has always been to take down the high and mighty by whatever means necessary. And, if you happen to be a Middle Eastern despot, you will find much to be offended by here. But, as Allen often did as well, Cohen uses racial and gender stereotypes to shine a light on people's attitudes, and that's likely to put off others as well. That's fine. Some comedy just isn't for everyone.

While his writing style owes much to Allen, his acting chops are also influenced heavily by one of Britain's greatest comics, Peter Sellers. You can see it in his outrageous accents and in his ridiculous pratfalls. Like Sellers, Cohen is fearless in his characterizations and, again, like Sellers, there will be those who will take offense in this. Again, not for everyone. But, if you laughed your butt off at Sellers' simpleton Indian character destroying a Hollywood party, you will be laughing here too.

And that's what we're talking about; laughs. Not every joke works. Many fall flat. But the film starts off fast and furious with a rapid succession of gags, most of which work hilariously, settles down for a bit and then takes off again, literally. His verbal sparring with co-star Jason Mantzoukas is one of the highlights as are many of the fun cameo appearances and a running joke about his name that I will not reveal here. There are many great sight gags that are easily missed and the appearance of his Efawadh character at the U.N. channels a scene right out of Allen's "Sleeper." There's a few scatological and sex jokes also (one about excrement, one about urination, one about masturbation, several about body parts), and these, if you ask me, are the low point of the film (except a child birth scene that's as funny as it is outrageous). But, the bodily fluid gags, so rampant in comedy films today, are actually few and far between. And there's a bit of a message, too.

We're not dealing with "Citizen Kane" here. But, then, this film made me laugh much more.

This movie is pretty funny at times, but it's a bit just too conventional for Cohen and it's not very well directed. The jokes should be funnier, the comic timing is off (early in the film especially), and the grossness veers into Adam Sandler land. Actually, that's a bit of an insult to Adam Sandler since You Don't Mess With the Zohan is not only funnier than this film, but as a satire Zohan is maybe more mature and politically pointed.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a brilliant guy, but this film is rather middling and comes off as kind of rushed. The jokes sometimes work, but sometimes they seem like they were probably funnier on paper. Other things are just kind of head-scratching (like the perverted ambassador from China; now a perverted IMF boss from France would have been funny).

Worth seeing but maybe save your money and get it on Netflix. Speaking of Netflix, better movies along the same lines are Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator and Woody Allen's Bananas. Those are really funny and very unique films about "dictators". The Dictator has its moments, but I guess I expected more from SBC.

This film is crass, stupid, offensive, childish, crude, and very very funny. It is if Team America and There is Something About Mary both got drunk, ended up in bed together and this is their brat of a kid out in the streets of New York running wild.

There is something here to offend everyone, but it is especially offensive to anyone from the Middle East or Muslim. You could argue that Sacha Baron Cohen is making some point about the West's regard for Middle Eastern dictators, but I suspect he just wants to make the audience laugh and so produce a box office success.

A guilty pleasure.

'THE DICTATOR': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Sacha Baron Cohen co-wrote and stars in this political satire about a fictional Third World dictator fighting to overcome a plot to turn his country into a democracy. Larry Charles, who also directed Cohen in 'BORAT' and 'BRUNO', directed the film but this is not a mockumentary (for a change) like those films. It was co-written by Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer and co-stars Anna Faris and Ben Kingsley. The film is very funny at times with spot-on political commentary but it also misfires with laughs, frequently.

Cohen plays General Hafez Aladeen, the dictator of the fictional Republic of Wadiya. He has kept the people in oppression there while reaping all the countries' resources and building nuclear weapons. While visiting the UN Headquarters in New York, about his countries' suspected nuclear weapons, Aladeen is kidnapped by a hit-man (John C. Reilly) hired by his uncle Tamir (Kingsley) to kill him. After surviving the assassination attempt he discovers that his uncle has plotted to have a double (also played by Cohen) sign a document which would democratize Wadiya in order to make it's oil fields available for business. Aladeen befriends an activist named Zoey (Faris) and takes refuge at her co-op while he plots to stop his uncle's plan.

Like I said the comedy is hit and miss, some of it is hilarious while other parts are just dumb. The political commentary is witty and humorous but many of the film's grotesque jokes misfire and are just disgusting to watch and boring. I'd like to see Cohen branch out a little and try his hand at comedy that's not so dark and full of violence and dick and fart jokes. If he could pull off something more lighthearted and still be humorous that would show real talent. This movie offers more of the same styled jokes that filled his previous two films but to less successful results. Not having real people in mockumentary style situations might have hurt the film as well. Still the commentary on America and the film's main message about how were as much of a dictatorship as most Third World countries really works and Cohen's efforts are still admirable.

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