The Watch

Released: 2012

Directed By: Akiva Schaffer

Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn

Certificate: 15

Reviewed By: Darryl Griffiths

There WAS something about Ben Stiller many moons ago. Whether it’s the rib tickling pursuit of Cameron Diaz’ Mary or his sharp jabs at fashionistas through Zoolander, he was rightfully deemed a leading light of mainstream Hollywood comedy. Recent form (Little Fockers, The Heartbreak Kid) would suggest however, he’s stuck in quite the rut. Adding to the ever growing list of bromances, he calls upon his sparring partner from Dodgeball Mr Vince Vaughn, 21 Jump Street’s Jonah Hill and fellow Brit Richard Ayoade to restore some much needed street cred. Oh.. and there’s the small matter of an alien invasion to survive!

Based in the Suburban confines of Glenview, Ohio, Stiller plays Evan Trautwig. Running clubs, Spanish clubs, he is the definition of uptight busybody. Even with the horror of co-worker Antonio at his beloved Costco being killed, it doesn’t prevent him from another start-up. This time, the Neighbourhood Watch.

Consisting of loudmouth Bob (Vaughn), failed cop Franklin (Hill) and kooky Jamarcus (Ayoade), they collectively seem more concerned with bringing a little excitement to their mundane lives than ‘staking out’. However, once the realisation kicks in that the threat to Glenview is of an intergalactic nature who are posing as human beings, the safety of their loved ones and fellow neighbours becomes the top priority.

With the talent involved, you would anticipate ‘The Watch’ consistently hitting the mark on the jokes front. Sadly, this doesn’t prove to be the case. There is a distinct lack of chemistry between the comedic quad who end up being saddled here with an underwhelming script (co written by Seth Rogen). Cranking up the levels of silliness to notch eleven, the film unfortunately favours rehashed vulgarity (green goo being a particular target) over inspired moments of wit. The one saving grace is Ayoade, whose performance at least has a degree of freshness compared to his fellow companions’ worn out ‘brands’.

The sci-fi fused premise certainly isn’t handled with care either. With the focus on misguided attempts at empathy for the characters (male infertility.. really?) and the throwaway approach to particular plot points (Billy Crudup’s peculiar neighbour of Stiller teasing menace), the film takes an eternity to pick up the pace and drive home it’s initial appeal. The solitary plus point here, is the visual effects on the extra terrestrial beings are rather impressive.

It’s not quite the godawful abomination it was declared to be Stateside, but ‘The Watch’ is nonetheless a bitter disappointment. Sporadically funny but consistently flat and lazy in execution, you may think twice before you hire these guys to ‘protect’ you.