Plot: What’s it about?
You’ve got to love Sacha Baron Cohen. Well maybe not “got to” but it’s so refreshingly nice to see an actor (or celebrity) who really could care less what people think of him (or her) and just does whatever the hell they want. In these politically correct days where seemingly everyone is somehow “offended” by something, I really respect performers like Cohen who make movies for the sole purpose of offending. Don’t get me wrong, it’s done in a tongue in cheek manner, but the underlying message is there. It’s been a decade since Cohen first graced the screen as Borat, the kind-hearted immigrant who toured the United States in search of Pamela Anderson. In the time since that movie, Cohen followed it up with Bruno and more recently The Dictator. Neither of which were as memorable or as financially successful as Borat, but I’m willing to be that he didn’t care. And, to top it all off, he’s been in some other movies that weren’t meant to offend. Cohen was one of the voice actors in the Academy Award-nominated Hugo as well as a part in Les Miserables. Clearly, the guy has talent. But pushing the envelope is Cohen’s stock and trade and The Brothers Grimsby is his latest attempt in which to do just that.
Cohen plays Nobby, the bluest of the blue-collars in the fictional English town of Grimsby. With nine children in tow and a loving wife (Reel Wilson), the only thing that’s been missing is his brother, Sebastian (Mark Strong). They’ve been separated for nearly three decades ever since Nobby was left at the orphanage. But Nobby has decided to set off to find his brother, which he quickly does. As it turns out, Sebastian is a MI6 assassin who’s very good at his job. After an awkward re-introduction, the siblings manage to get themselves mixed up in the midst of a global terrorist attack. This leads them from England to South Africa where they’re trying to stop the elimination of the human race. Of course, nothing goes according to plan and plenty of shenanigans ensue, but come hell or high water – nothing will stop these brothers from being separated again.
If the phrase “cringe-worthy” has any meaning to you, then you’ll either love or hate this movie. If you’ve seen the trailer, you might be familiar with some of the more “choice” scenes like Nobby sucking poison out of a certain part of his brother’s anatomy. Or maybe Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe being infected with HIV positive blood. No? Well that’s a sampling as what to expect when popping in this film. All of Cohen’s films are usually littered with a relatively decent cast of characters and this one is no exception. I have to admit that I’m not easily “grossed out” but this one did have me squirming a bit, and my wife wasn’t too flattered by some of the things that took place in the film. Still, I have to admit that I couldn’t help chuckling at the insanity of it all. Look – you know what to expect when one of these films comes around, either you’ll love it or hate it. I count myself in the love it category.
Video: How does it look?
I’m sure it’s a placebo effect, but to me Sony’s Blu-ray’s seem to be among the best-looking out there. Then again they invented the format and I’m watching it on a PS4. Again, probably the placebo effect, but it is what it is. Having said that, the included 2.40:1 AVC HD image looks spot on. And in a movie where two men crawl inside the vagina of an elephant (yes, really) you might not exactly want that crystal clear picture? Or maybe you do. I dunno. Flesh tones look natural, though some of the characters have a somewhat “pasty” look to them. Then again they’re British, so maybe that explains that. Contrast and black levels work well with one another and detail is, as expected, razor sharp. For what it’s worth, this is a good-looking film and it’s indicative as to what Sony puts out.
Audio: How does it sound?
Generally-speaking movies about spies will have guns. Those guns will discharge and create a vast array of sounds. The Brothers Grimsby is no exception to this rule and there are a few sequences in which the bullets whiz by from front channels to the rear. It’s a pretty amazing and dazzling sound effect. Vocals are pure and crisp with the LFE even getting a few choice scenes in which to make their presence known. While not a reference disc, it does deliver the goods and makes for an alluring sound mix, for sure.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- The Making of The Brothers Grimsby – The main players in the movie sit down and discuss what attracted them to their roles, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong are fairly candid with their comments as well as Louis Leterrier and his contribution as director. It’s not as all-encampassing as I’d expected, but it was a step above the usual faire.
- The Elephant in the Room – If you were clamoring for more of the infamous “Elephant” scene, well then you’re in luck. In this segment, we see how the – uh – “inside” was constructed, as well as the “penetrating” portion and the resulting mixture that the actors (and director) were up to their necks in. Admittedly as uncomfortable as it was, this really made sense of the whole thing.
- Line-O-Rama: Hilarious Outtakes – Shenanigans on the set.
- Blooper Reel – Basically more of the same from above, only this time classified as “bloopers.”
- Deleted & Extended Scenes – At only 83 minutes, I’d have liked to see some of these in the final cut. There was certainly room for them in there. Though nothing really blew my mind, I found myself chuckling a few times at the extended versions. Oh well.
The Bottom Line
Fans of Cohen’s other films will feel right at home here with plenty of visual gags that border on obscene (well maybe not “border”, I’m sure the line was crossed a few times) so if this isn’t your cup of tea, then steer clear. I personally found it funny, though I have the gift of not taking myself too seriously. I knew what I was getting into. Sony’s Blu-ray both looks and sounds good and though the extras are a bit paltry, it might make for a good renal.
