Observe and Report

Think of Seth Rogen's bipolar security guard Ronnie Barnhardt as a budding Travis Bickle with a badge. Swaggering through his shopping mall like a town marshal on a wild frontier of impatient shoppers, unruly teens and screaming kids, he's angry and unstable, fueled by delusions of adequacy and a lust for the cosmetics counter featherhead (Anna Faris at her ditzy, shallow best). Jody Hill's twisted comedy dances with dark material and mines laughs from behavior that would be disturbing in other circumstances (Ronnie's violent overreaction would get him arrested in real life, let alone fired), thanks to Rogen's everyman fumbling and his genuine longing to be a hero (even if his fantasies are larded with violent retribution). MSN critic James Rocchi praised it as "a strong, strange comedy that goes for the funny bone and the jugular."

The DVD features both wide-screen and full-screen editions of the film but no supplements. The Blu-ray edition includes picture-in-picture video commentary by writer/director Hill and stars Rogen and Faris, who spend more time cracking jokes and goofing around than actually engaging the film. More illuminating to the comic process (if that's what you're looking for) is "Seth Rogen & Anna Faris: Unscripted," showcasing the improvisations from the date scene with commentary by the actors, and 27 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes. Also includes the featurette "Basically Training," an obligatory gag reel and a digital copy of the film for portable media players.