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In his Golden Globe winning role, Sacha Baron Cohen has created one of the most popular comedic characters of all-time in this excellent mockumentary from director Larry Charles. The fictitious Kazakh reporter travels all over "U.S. and A." on a quest to produce a documentary for his government, and his anti-Semitism and sometimes homophobic antics have caused controversy all over the world since the film was cinematically released. Some scenes are so cringe-inducing that one fails to describe them as the pictures are the only worthy platform for the hilarity. The laughter does come at a price though. Cohen's delivery and timing is first-rate and the reactions of his unknowing recipients, including Southern dinner party guests, a humour coach, a driving instructor, and a Civil War antiques seller are even funnier, but on second-watch, the film has lost the shock factor lustre so evident from a debut viewing. Nevertheless, Charles serves up a comedy classic with Borat utilised enough to make this a laugh a minute spectacle, and his sidekick Azamat, played superbly by Ken Davitian, contributes perfectly to the narrative. Most of the time the Americans are very tolerant of the fake foreigner but elements of distaste or frustration are directed at Borat or the conversation topic at times - scenes with the rodeo owner in particular exemplify this. The attempt at trying to make a "moviefilm" as an alien (almost) in a foreign country was a good enough premise without the setup and fantastical Pamela Anderson facet, but throughout this only contributes to Borat's fascinating idea of "sexy-time"! This unique film only weighs in at 84 minutes but Cohen amplifies a rib-tickling amount of humour without going overboard or stale.
The extras
A poor modern DVD has no "Making Of" or commentary. However, we are treated to hilarious deleted scenes with "Supermarket", "More Footages" and "Sexy Drown Water" being the highlights of what Cohen and Charles have missed out. The "Global Propaganda Tour" is a nice 17 minute featurette on Borat's promotional dates in 2006 and his appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien are humorous skits to see. The package just lacks substance however.
The summary
Vulgar, exploitative and hilarious. Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat ventures into a world most deem uncharted or impossible. You will not believe what you are seeing.
