The Watch [15]
Released: 2012, Run-time: 102 minutes, Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy.
Film only review.

Plot Synopsis
When Antonio Guzman (Joe Nunez) is brutally murdered his friend, boss and all-round-good-guy Evan (Ben Stiller) sets up the neighbourhood watch in a bid to hunt down and track his friends killer. Can Evan, Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade), Franklin (Jonah Hill) and Bob (Vince Vaughn) bring peace to the troubled neighbourhood? Can they avenge Antonio's death? And more importantly can they prevent the goo dribbling, flesh stealing aliens from taking over Costco and the world???

The Review.
Right, well, that all sounds a bit ridiculous doesn't it! It is ridiculous, that's kind of the point. The film takes the ancient science fiction film plot of 'aliens taking over the world' and rips it to shreds. The cringey unrealistic moments of science fiction films are put to great use in this film and create great comedic scenes. This film is a laugh-a-minute parody of the science fiction genre but it isn't just about making you laugh. I ended up seriously involved in the plot and had a lot of fun trying to guess who the aliens among us were and whilst I had a few inklings, the film kept me guessing. It is well written, funny and has a stellar comedy cast.

Ben Stiller as main man Evan puts in a very 'Stiller-esque' performance, it's good but it's no Zoolander. It's a very respectable comedy performance but not one of his funniest. Vince Vaughn puts in an equally respectable performance, he plays his character with great enthusiasm. I loved the character of Jamarcus. I only have to look at Richard Ayoade and I'm laughing. I adore everything about him, his awkward, geeky, British-ness had me hooked from the beginning. His characters name Jamarcus was enough to get me giggling. He was Jah-mazing (sorry!). Jonah Hill came out of this film really well, he wasn't someone I had really enjoyed watching in films, previously he had come across as a little over the top but in this film I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. He came across as lovable and a little psychotic at the same time. The best performance goes to Will Forte as the crackpot local policeman Sgt. Bressman. He was hilarious.

It has to be said that I'm not really a silly comedy type of gal but this film impressed me. I can remember seeing the trailers and thinking, generic, boring, unfunny. I was wrong, the trailer massively undersells this film, which surprises me based on the cast, I would have thought this comedy gem would have been well plugged. It's an easy watch, great to sit down and unwind to, it's not taxing and has just the right about of storyline. Yes, it's stereotypical at times but that's the point and as far as a comedy goes, if it's making me laugh that's all that matters.

The film is primarily a comedy but the aliens and the alien technology have been well thought out and the soundtrack will have you singing along. There are explosions, fights and punch ups. The language and the sexual references earn this film it's 15 certificate but I didn't find anything to be in bad taste, I found all the references relevant to the humour.

Overall I feel that this is a hidden gem of a film. It will probably go unseen by many as unlike most comedy films, it didn't show the funniest parts in the trailer and so many may not remember this or think its not that funny but it surprised me and I really enjoyed it, so much it will probably be purchased on dvd, placed alongside role models and be re-watched when I need a pick me up.