The Dictator(2012)- User Reviews

Whereas "The Dictator" is funny, It is not nearly as funny as the other Sacha Baron Cohen character comedies. The formula that has worked in the past (creating offensive sub-intelligent characters of various ethnicities and putting them into non-scripted situations with unsuspecting people who are not in on the joke) has run its course. This is not because it has ceased to be funny, but Cohen has mined all of his signatures for what their worth, and now he is a household name. If the average schmo or celebrity comedy target knows who he is already, the joke won't work. So now, he turns to traditional scripted comedy with a new character. Although it has very funny scenes in it (The helicopter tour of New York with a confused elderly couple is quite amusing), it doesn't hold a candle to the hysterics of "Borat" or "Bruno". Crude and offensive jokes played at the expense of real comic victims is where Cohen's genius lies. When you take away the real-life reactions of the surrounding people, they just become run-of-the-mill crude jokes. See it once for some chuckles, but you'll keep reaching for "Borat" and "Bruno" for the best Sacha Baron Cohen has to offer.