
"The Dictator" is a fish-out-of-water tale of an evil middle eastern dictator and tyrant who comes to America only to be mistaken as a civilian. As he attempts to return to his throne he learns about our culture, humanity and...love. Yep, it is as bad as it sounds. Although the plot is nothing you have not seen done a dozen times before, some of the jokes deliver. The film has the feel of an average Adam Sandler film (an average Sandler film is barely tolerable while sober) and some of the Ali G skits that started his career. The problem is acting out scenes where unsuspecting people are forced to interact with an irreverent person are not nearly as funny as when they are actual candid interactions, especially when the jokes are bounced off of a bizarre looking Anna Farris (her bad wig and outfits make her look like Pinocchio has grown up and chosen to work in an organic food store.)
There are some hilarious moments and in pieces it is entertaining - the problem is, it never comes together as whole. The story is too obvious and the volume of jokes is too high - with about 50% success rate. These jokes range from the slapstick to political satire to the standard genitalia humor found in Cohen's films. Perhaps if he choose to focus on more the high brow political humor than pubic region the film would gain some consistency. I am not sure if Cohen knows it, but the majority of people that come to his films are not interested in seeing his penis, pubic hair or any old man ass. If that message was delivered and he listened to it his audience would be growing instead of shrinking. 5.5 out of 10
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