10 out of 10 for Seth Rogan's portrayal of a security guard. 7 out of 10 as an overall film.
Having worked as a security guard to pay my way through college, I have to take my hat off to Seth Rogan's role as "Ronnie." What separates great actors from good actors is when they play their characters in a serious light, even in comedy situations. Never in this film did Ronnie fail to suspend my disbelief that he was a security guard who wanted to be "the man" as a police officer. Rogan could have chosen to play the role a bit "silly-ish" which would have wrecked the whole thing. From his blinded love for Brandi to his strange self confidence, to the sincerity in his job, i.e. when being interviewed by the media, he stops the interview when the interviewer refers to him as a mall security officer. He corrects her, "You f#$%ed up!... I'm head of mall security... you need to start this over." There is a classic scene where the guards discuss with one another why they are not allowed to carry guns as part of their job. (Every real guard has this conversation regularly). Further discussions as to the maximum capacity of magazines. Ronnie - "I thought it was only 18 rounds... are you confirming 20?" Response: "Yes... I'm confirming 20... that is confirmed." Obsession with firearms is a common theme in the life of the guard.
Everyone has probably met someone who wants to be a police officer, but who you question as far as their mental status to perform the job. Ronnie brings plenty of humor to his police officer psychological interview. When asked why the doctors took him off prescription medication, his response is simply, "They didn't." This is because he took himself off of them.
The film has quite a few misses too. Although Michael Pena is extremely funny in moments playing the number two officer, Dennis, his comedic timing seems to be off at occasionally, (which could have potentially been fixed by simple editing), and his "slurring" voice is hard to understand at times. Example: There is a scene when Ronnie's love, Brandi, is being interviewed by the police following an altercation with a flasher. It is suggested to Brandi that the flasher may come back and murder her. Flasher's usually don't murder people, and when Ronnie tells her that she will be murdered, this is mildly funny. Brandi responds with elevated hysteria stating, "I'm gonna die?" The camera then switches to Dennis who responds in his whisper-y voice, "You're gonna die." I went to great length to explain this scene because although it was funny, it could have been really, really funny having been timed right, and with appropriate expression and voice from Dennis. Dennis does not fit the profile for someone who Ronnie would trust in the "real" security world. Although it is funny to watch Dennis perform his "gang posturing," I doubt Ronnie would approve if he had written the films script. The Dennis character should have been constructed to better suit Ronnie's needs.
I could go on and on about this film. There is so much quality acting and humor in it to set it self apart from the rest.
The "Taser scene" is one of the films funniest and can be watched over and over.
Humor in the film aside, Rogan's portrayal of the lowly security guard is spot on. Seth Rogan has definite Oscar potential in his future. Good luck dude, and keep up the great work!
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