Search - Borat - Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Full Screen Edition) on DVD

"We go to California..they have Texas there, and Pearl Harbo

Kenneth Shed | New Hampshire | 03/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally got to see one of the most talked about movies of the year. The widescreen edition is great and the special features are okay. Sacha Baron Cohen plays Borat, a native of Kazakstan and also a reporter from that country who comes to America in the hopes of learning something constructive to take back and apply to his own culture. What the film really does is show a hilarious, if often times disturbing and yet comical view of American culture through Borat's eyes. From his purchase of an "auto car" to falling in love with Pamela Anderson after watching an episode of Baywatch, it was fun to follow him through his journey from New York to California. Cohen is great because he makes the character he plays very believable. Whether it was the Rodeo, the Bear they bought for protection or the etiquette lessons, the film was highly entertaining. This kind of humor is not for everyone but I know people who would have found some of it to be a turn off still ended up laughing a lot. Borat holds nothing back and in the meantime explores everything from run down neighborhoods to evangelical church meetings. At times I laughed so hard my sides were about to burst!"

"if you chase a dream... especially one with plastic chests.

Renata Emther | Private | 03/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have not laughed this hard for years!!! I must give Larry Charles, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Ken Davitian a credit for having the guts to come up with such a project and complete it. They must have known what a whirlpool of criticism it would raise. Anyone who feels offended after watching this film either did not get it or strongly resembles some of the "Americans representing America" in the film. (In this connection, I burst into another fit of laughter while reading one of the preceding reviews here and the nine comments on it - some terrific comments, thank you!) Cohen's diction as Borat is flawless, his acting and lines simply hilarious! Ken Davitian (as his producer and traveling companion Azamat Bagatov) is entertaining and convincing as well. You've got to put any seriousness aside as soon as the protagonist introduces himself with a big smile, "My name is Borat. I like a-you. I like sex," then proceeds to introduce his little "Kazakh" town inhabitants from the local "mechanic & abortionist" to the "kindergarten" = kids with guns. When he arrives to the U.S, New Yorkers (true to their reputation) respond to his peculiarly warm behavior with a lot of F-words. Even the most polished-looking man in an expensive suit does not hesitate to say: "You kiss me, and I'll pop you in the f-----g balls!" The long (but never boring!) line of his encounters with unsuspecting Americans goes from there all the way to California. One has to admire how composed and patient some of these people are while being faced with Borat's bizarre and/or shocking statements and behavior (well, except perhaps for the Veteran Feminists of America). Cohen would have me laughing in no time, whether I'm on his true story or not. You can also see hypocrisy of others, and downright chilling responses from people like the GM salesman who's not sure how to explain the "pussy magnet" in a car, but gives Borat a precise estimate on how fast he must drive a Hummer into a crowd of gypsies to kill them. Or the man behind the gun shop counter who wastes no time finding the right gun "to defend (Borat) from a Jew," the Imperial Rodeo general manager with his "dadgum Muslim" advice, and the spectators at the Imperial Rodeo who keep clapping and cheering while Borat talks about "American terror of war." Are they actually listening to him or is the crowd mentality simply taking over? And what about the screaming and running preacher who looks more possessed than the people he claims to help? Or the drunk Fraternity Brothers from University of South Carolina who not only don't know the difference between Russia and Kazakhstan, but show what poor excuses for human beings they are while talking about girls. Losers either way. My favorite scene has got to be the one at the Magnolia Mansion. Whether it is the "retired/retard" word play, Borat's little surprise after using a bathroom or his unexpected dinner guest, the members of this dining society are exposed as the self-righteous, hypocratic, and patronizing people they are. Some scenes are close to revolting (e.g. Borat & Azamat's wrestling in a hotel room), but they are a crucial part of the film. I will not go into more details so I don't spoil the film for those amazon customers who have not seen it yet (if there are any), I'll just add that the music score is pretty awesome, too, and the Deleted Scenes on the DVD are also worth watching (I will never pass a cheese aisle in a supermarket without laughing again). To close with Borat's words, "I had learned that if you chase a dream... especially one with plastic chests..." - well, for those of you who haven't done so yet, better watch the film until the end to hear the rest of this true line, and (hopefully) comprehend the bright idea behind the whole film. Brave, smart, and absolutely hilarious!!!"