The Dictator

The transition to full fiction doesn’t fit Cohen at all. Where Borat and Bruno were sharply satirical thanks to their documentary format, which allowed average Americans to make complete fools of themselves, The Dictator is only eager and a little vapid. Cohen barks and bites in every direction again, but this time it feels as if instead of proper fangs, he had fake teeth. Some of the scenes are incredibly funny (birth! head! onanism!), but I was struck by a great deal of slag (so-so jokes) and many scenes that spend minutes lazily bordering the cringe, only to fizzle out without producing anything very funny (the scene on the helicopter that looked good in the trailer is ruined in the film). There are some good moments, but I expected (and wanted) something much sharper. 6+ (05/25/2012)

Finally, Cohen again shows himself in the best possible light. His dictator is no different in content from the yokel reporter Borat, but it’s clear that Sacha is again one step ahead, knows what he wants and purposely goes after it. Plus, with his massive beard and unlimited power, he's even more fitting than he is with a Kazakh flag or a mankini, the humour is no longer twisted solely around raunchy or downright controversial themes, and the presence of several stars in the cast suggests that Aladeen will be far more accessible and thoughtful than all of Cohen's previous characters combined. The film has its weak spots and some of the jokes are a bit dodgy, but on the whole it’s a precisely measured, brisk and imaginative satire, the basis of which is better not to think about at all and instead just let yourself ride the wave of Cohen's specific humour, which you will enjoy to the fullest. I didn't expect much after the tragic Bruno, but The Dictator managed to entertain and relax me all the more... (09/26/2012)

Who likes Ali G, Borat, or, in my opinion, the worst Bruno, will definitely like this satire on The Dictator. Someone might say that the whole movie is insanely obvious, but I simply enjoyed it. It wasn't top-notch, but a few jokes were flawless. Sacha Baron Cohen once again completely immersed himself in his dictator Aladeen, for example, at the last Oscars awards, he spilled the ashes of his friend and partner Kim Jong Il on the presenter. I simply loved the whole advertising, concept, and execution. If it weren't for the fact that the story is completely classic, I would give it a five. However, due to the series of pop culture references and overall references to dictatorship, it deserves such a rating. I laughed. Definitely one of the best comedies this year. (08/20/2012)

I don't often reach for crazy stuff like this, but I'm glad I made an exception this time. I had a good time watching an American comedy for the first time in a while. Of course, we all have different senses of humor, which is why our opinions on comedy are often very contradictory. I have only one yardstick – the amount of quality and sincere laughter. And Aladdin made me giggle several times. The ideal running time spared us unnecessary dead spots that have no place in a comedy. Even though I'm not at all a fan of S.B. Cohen, he was quite tolerable here. 4 stars. (10/04/2012)

Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the most original comedians of today, as well as one of the most controversial, who is not afraid to go to extremes. His films "Borat" or "Brüno" are clearly controversial films, with the first one based on the United States of America and the second... well, actually that one too. The same goes for his new film "The Dictator", where he mocks Arab dictators, but also the world's fear that behind every Arab there is a potential terrorist. The most brilliant scene in the film is the scene in the scenic helicopter, where two Arabs and two Americans are sitting. The Arabs are joking in their language and the only thing the Americans hear are words that they are afraid of. I don't want to reveal more because this is really a scene that one must see. If you don't laugh out loud at this, then nothing will make you laugh. Sacha Baron Cohen has a sometimes simply silly humor, but at times he is absolutely brilliant. He is critical, he is bizarre, he is vulgar, and he is foolish. Together, it makes a comedy that either impresses or disgusts you. But isn't the power of controversy in this crazy comedian? Keep going. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/9-umelec-diktator-nacho-libre-rise.html (02/19/2013)