To avoid a loss of revenue to the Dark Knight Rises most movie studios this summer have tried to avoid releasing their movies anywhere near it. Ted was moved from the middle of July to the end of June, and the upcoming Bourne Legacy was even moved a week further back in August. Still, there was room for a studio to take a risk if they so desired, which is what they decided to do with the latest Ben Stiller movie The Watch. Was it a lack of confidence from the movie studio, or do they have a hit on their hands? Unfortunately it looks like it was the former.
Ben Stiller plays Evan, a Costco manager in a small American town, who after one of his employees is brutally murdered forms a Neighborhood Watch. Only four people show up to join the watch; Bob (Vince Vaughn) who is a father and husband looking for some time with the guys, Franklin (Jonah Hill) a failed police officer wannabe, and Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade) a newcomer to the community looking to fit in. The four quickly uncover an alien invasion that is threatening not only their town, but the world as well, unfortunately the local police do not believe them and it’s up to the four of them to stop it.
The Watch is a big waste of time. It’s not that the cast is bad, but it’s poorly written and boring. It finds itself entangled it subplots for the sake of a bad jokes, and the characters are extremely two dimensional with no personalities. For the first 45 minutes or so nothing really happens, and the audience hardly even giggles. The writers seemed to be obsessed with male body fluids, and the same jokes resurface time and time again surrounding them. The actors don’t even seem to be having fun with their roles, and deliver most of their lines either over the top or dead pan. It’s like they knew they were just collecting a pay check with this one, and wanted the experience to be over as quickly as possible. If you end up going to this movie you are better off leaving as soon as the coming attractions end, unless you are looking for a little time to catch up on your sleep.
If you know what’s best for you, you will avoid seeing The Watch. Maybe one day you’ll end up watching a bit of it on tv, but at least then you can flip through it just as quickly as you found it.
Tags: Ben Stiller, is the watch good, jonah hill, movie review, movie reviews, the watch, Vince Vaughn