The Brothers Grimsby

I don't think I have ever written a review on IMDb before, but on this occasion, I feel I must.

Thank you, Mr Cohen for giving me the biggest belly laughs I've had from any film in years.

This film is comedy gold. Sure, the story-line is wafer-thin, but who cares? Although on this turn-out, this film is a bit of departure from Cohen's previous outings - less mockumentary and more narrative, but it is gag after gag - non-stop. My sides were hurting before the end of the first act.

Some of the other sourpuss reviews here miss the point. If I go to see a comedy, I'm not expecting an Oscar winning, thought-provoking drama. I want escapism. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief completely in exchange for a few good laughs.

This film delivers that in spades - and more.

For when a film causes you to bury your mouth in your elbow in fear of disturbing your fellow film-goers with your laughter, you know you're having a good time.

And that's all I want from a movie.

Thanks again, Mr. Cohen!

This film is nuts. It's so hardcore, perverted and sick that I would not recommend it to most people. But the ones who love hardcore perverted films once in a while will have a treat with this one.

The human-based comedy is mostly kept relatively weak in "The Brothers Grimsby," a sleazy but labored spy satire. With its unsettling blend of jocular genre satire, excessive gross-out content, and casually gory, video-game-style combat, the story of two estranged siblings coming together to confront a worldwide terrorism syndicate earns some stray yucks. The laughs per minute are noticeably lower than they were in "Spy," which was a kinder "Spy" from the previous year. It remains to be seen how many HIV-AIDS jokes auds will be ready to laugh at in an otherwise sparsely filled 82 minutes, however certain relevant punchlines may grant these brothers some ephemeral pop-cultural recognition.

That was insane.

The over the top scenes where they just take things to the next level left me gasping for air half from laughing half in surprise. There are a few that are going to be hard to forget.

Surprisingly good action scenes every now and then and otherwise well timed humor.

I watched it alone and would not watch it with the wife, but I am going to try just to see her either cringe or laugh at the same scenes. As an experiment.

Sacha Baron Cohen has ploughed a career as a divisive and controversial figure in the comedy world. From Ali G to Borat, Cohen has proven adept at satirising popular's themes. Cohen's humour often exceeds the limits of good taste whilst conning ordinary people into revealing their abhorrent views in mockumentary style.

The Brothers Grimsby is no exception in the toilet humour stakes - the movie is often depraved, sickening and disgusting. And yet, it must be said that unlike much of the comedy trash put out by movie studios today, there are genuine comedic moments that make you laugh out loud. For this reason, the film is worth watching. Playing a character obviously inspired by Liam Gallagher, Cohen offers a range of puerile, immature and foul-mouthed gags that may be in bad taste or potty-mouthed but are often incredibly funny.

This comic bravery makes the film watchable, although certain elements were tough to entertain (the elephant scene, sucking out poison and so on). But if you dig through the depravity, there are some fabulous comic one-liners and Cohen is supported brilliantly by Mark Strong (who plays it straight) and Rebel Wilson (who really doesn't!)

To be honest, creating a film that delivers such unashamed filth and yet makes you laugh uncontrollably is a work of genius. Pushing the boundaries of decency is Cohen's trump card and if you have the stomach for it, its worth a watch.