http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wR4bzgO31Y
Oh dear. First, let me just say that I really, really like Sacha Baron Cohen. I think this guy has tremendous talent – just watch Da Ali G Show and try to deny that he can be a real chameleon when it comes to playing characters. But this trailer for his next film – The Dictator – directed by Borat director Larry Charles, just looks…well…bad. The humour is dumb and full of throwaway jabs at pop culture (a Kardashians joke? Sacha, you’re better than that), and overall this preview reminds me a lot of The Love Guru or You Don’t Mess With The Zohan much more than Borat or Bruno. After Cohen’s terrific turn in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and more recently his role in Hugo, I had hoped that he would begin making his way into the Hollywood upper echelon alongside the likes of Johnny Depp. But this? This isn’t just a step backwards, it’s a swan dive backwards into a septic tank. Here’s hoping the trailer is just poorly put together and the movie is way funnier.
The Dictator hits theatres May 11, 2012.