The Watch
Review by Sean Lynch
There has been rumours of a potential Ghostbusters 3 doing the rounds for almost two decades now. Original 'buster Dan Akroyd has been very vocal about the story he wants to tell (and by all accounts has written and had re-written multiple times) a story which looks at rebooting the franchise within the sequel.
About five years ago, during the Apatow Gang hey-day, the "new Ghostbusters" being thrown around included the likes of Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, etc.
It all made sense on paper. But, time has passed and folks seem to have grown weary of the comedy stars who have over-exposed themselves on the big screen. This is never more prevalant than with The Watch.
The Watch is, without question, an attempt at kick starting a "Ghostbusters for the next Generation" type franchise. All the parallels are there: Ben Stiller in the Akroyd role, Vince Vaughn as a modern day Bill Murray, Jonah Hill (when fat) was on the verge of being a new era Belushi... and Richard Ayeode (a cult icon in Oz and UK) filling in the gaps as the token.
However, much like the problem that would've faced a new era Apatow Gang Ghostbusters flick is present here with the Stiller Gang... we've seen too much of them to care anymore. It should've been a massive hit (it's even directed by one of the Lonley Island guys) but for some reason it doesn't.
Without giving away too much, The Watch follows four men who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines. However, soon they find themselves in over their heads when they accidentally discover that their town has become overrun with aliens posing as ordinary suburbanites and therefor must defending the neighbourhood and Earth from an alien invasion (see how they changed ghosts with aliens?).
Structurally, everything is here to ensure a decent franchise should give birth to itself. However, much like most of these modern comedies, it lacks discipline and therefor loses its own (and the audiences) focus far too often.
Gone are the days where a random array of clever improvisations helps ad a splash of chilli sauce to the rigid structure of scripted dialogue, in it's place is unending "humourous tangents" which are no doubt funnier in context of the confines of the script. Without the structure in place, the improv doesn't seem dangerous and therefore loses almost all of its comedic appeal.
The swears come thick and fast, but without ever being used to the effect it should (remember when the word "f**k" really packed a punch?). Ultimately, The Watch is just a good idea executed poorly. It may mark the turning point for cinematic comedies in the future... enough of the kids being allowed to run amok in the classroom while the teacher is away.
We need a strict enforcer, otherwise the class clowns fade into a sea of noise.
As for extras, there's even more unedited improv ... because apparently there was simply too much to be included in the film.
Conclusion: Movie 65% Extras: 50%
