Bruno a.k.a Way More of Sacha Baron Cohen Than I Wanted to See

I knew there had to be a reason why I let my 16-year old brother drag me to see "Bruno" at the drive-in: subconsciously I knew I would create a film blog where I would need to gush, and more importantly, have a place for violent word vomit for the features I have and will see.
I had seen "Borat" when it came out in 2006, so I knew how to mentally prepare myself (by checking my brain in at the ticket counter) for the same foreign stereotype blown way out of proportion for the sake of capturing the appalling looks of the most sensitive minority of American culture (the Deep South, African Americans, fundamentalists, etc.). "Bruno" delivered just that (and literally, just that) in a little over an hour.
Folks (say this like a Georgian minister trying to get down to the bare bones for the little people), this uber-fashionista from Austria served basically the same meal but with a few added side dishes: gayness, Austria, and more penis time for Mr. Cohen. I suppose this is what fans of the offensive, misunderstood Kazakhstan Borat are looking for. If so, this film will entertain them to some degree, but for me, it just seemed OLD HAT.
For instance, both Borat and Bruno stumble upon religion (and not just any religion, but only the most hardcore homosexuals-are-evil-now-open-your-heart-to-Jesus-and convulse-violently-in-his-glory religion) and muster all the tongue-in-cheek sincerity they can to show the irrational changes they have to make to their lifestyle. ALRIGHT. Everyone knows fundamentalists can be a little off their rocker, but do we have to keep pummeling religion into a small cube of close-minded insanity? The pokes made at organized religions are becoming quite passé if you ask me, kind of like your younger brother jabbing you in the side when you're 19 and he's 16 just to remind you of the annoying dynamics of your relationship. (Oh wait, I still go through that...shit....IT NEEDS TO BE TONED DOWN PEOPLE!) Bruno also has a run-in with the black community and feeds the fire when he introduces his adopted African son, OJ, who he swapped for an iPod. I knew what was going to happen the whole time the scene was being set up: Bruno on a Houston talk show with nothing but a convenient audience of African Americans--his son has got to show up at some point and outrage these guys. And it did...*yawn*....
The crown jewel was probably when Bruno hosts a kick-boxing arena, cleverly titled "Straight Dave's," and infuriates a mob of forehead-can-crushing rednecks when he and his former assistant begin to make out passionately in the ring. I'll admit some of the eye-bulging expressions some of the crowd members was amusing, and when I thought the film might be progressing somewhere, it ended. It's my belief that Cohen couldn't get enough of a rise out of people and so resorted to some of the most ludicrous tirades imaginable. It felt like he was trying too hard, and I felt like I was trying too hard to not kick myself for spending $7 on an 81 minute film when I could've just watched my brother's DVD of "Borat" and throw glitter and dildos at it.

Bottom Line: Borat is better....and I can't believe I just said that. And most of the good stuff was in the trailer.

PROS:
1. Bruno's African baby -- That baby was adorable. I just felt bad for it :(
2. Bruno hanging out with the three hunters -- Ok, that scene was a little amusing. With three mumbling Southerners and one obvious gay man trying to suppress his flamboyant tendencies, I'll have to give it some props. "I think Donny is a homosexual. Can I sleep with you?" "Give the f*** out of here."
3. Lutz, Bruno's faithful assistant -- I don't know, I just found him to be endearing. Plus, when they try and get married at the end, it's kind of funny seeing him in a wedding gown with OJ as the ring bearer

CONS:
1. Sacha Baron Cohen's penis -- It might not be as hairy and awkward as Borat's, but there was way more of it than I wanted to see.
2. Stupid people -- The stupid people weren't funny--they were just stupid and annoying.
3. Milly Vanilly air blowjob -- While Milly might be dead, it was still weird to watch Bruno pretending to perform oral sex on him.
4. Lack of funny & originality -- Actually, I think the real question I should ask myself is: Was I really expecting a lot out of "Bruno"?


1/2 out of five