The Watch (I) (2012) User Reviews

Entertaining, but aimed at teens.

[g-hbe · 7/10 · 18 May 2022]

We found this quite entertaining and the characters were good, but I have to ask who wrote the script - a bunch of schoolboys? Almost every gag was based on d*cks, c*m, big red b*lls, condoms and p*ss. Why? There are plenty of other ways of making gags funny, you know.

Watch out

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 3 January 2013]

I really liked that the trailer did not reveal too much of the "story" behind this movie. But I still get if people are disappointed in this. It's hard as I have written before to get people behind a comedy. And comedies that go for the "R-rating" are even tougher to sell. I still thought this was funny and different from what I expected (although the German title did give away more of the central story than the mentioned trailer).

Ben Stiller plays it straight and you can see the morality that lies within the movie ... within the first 5 minutes of it. That doesn't take the fun out of it and the main 4 characters are having so much fun, it does translate on the screen. If you don't like the trailer though, do not watch the movie

An Interesting Sci-Fi Comedy!

[namashi_1 · 7/10 · 21 November 2013]

'The Watch' is An Interesting Sci-Fi Comedy, that makes good-use of its promising premise & its well-decorated star-cast. Its Fun!

'The Watch' Synopsis: Four men who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines find themselves defending the Earth from an alien invasion.

'The Watch' isn't flawless. It has its share of minuses. But, overall, this first of its kind Sci-Fi Comedy appeals, because it makes you laugh at the right places & the performances are commendable. Talking of minuses, the uneven second-hour acts as a deterrent.

Jared Stern, Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg's Screenplay has merit. However, the second-hour, certainly, could've been more persuasive. Akiva Schaffer's Direction is credible. Cinematography & Editing are mentionable. Graphics are pretty cool. The Aliens are pretty creepy to look at!

Performance-Wise: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill & Richard Ayoade are the life of 'The Watch'. Stiller is highly efficient, while Vaughn continues to impress us with his impeccable comic-timing. Hill & Ayoade are equally effective, adding much more to their characters than offered. Also, the on-screen chemistry between the four of them, is interesting. Rosemarie DeWitt does her bit well. Will Forte is sincere.

On the whole, 'The Watch' does work, at most parts.

Don't take it seriously

[reeseslightning · 7/10 · 18 November 2012]

Like most comedies starring Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and/or any of the Frat Pack, people are going to complain that this was gross, unfunny, ridiculous, etc.

But they clearly expect too much from these guys. If you go into this movie thinking that you'll fall on the floor laughing then yes, you will disappointed. But I expected nothing and I laughed my butt off. It's a silly movie with a silly plot and it knows this.

If you don't like Vince Vaughn or Ben Stiller, then don't see it. It's that simple. If you do like them, give it a try. I'll definitely watch it again because it was entertaining in the most over the top way.

Admittedly Entertaining!

[g-bodyl · 7/10 · 2 February 2014]

Usually a movie that get really terrible reviews such as this film, The Watch would turn me away. But being a Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn fan, I had to watch this film and see if it's bad as critics and plain viewers made it seem. It's actually half-way decent and there are some pretty funny, though rather vulgar jokes. I really liked the film premise and the film had a chance to be comedy gold, but in the end despite being entertaining, the comedy felt forced at times and the vulgarity seems to go through the roof.

Akiva Schaffer's film is about a Costco night guard who was mysteriously murdered. In response to the murder, straight-laced Evan forms a neighborhood watch to track down the killer. But all he gets is three dimwits and together they discover the murderer may be.....extraterrestrial.

I find it unfortunate how the careers of Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn are steadily declining. They are both really funny men and while not at their best, they do have some genuine funny moments here. Jonah Hill is on a nice streak of late but I don't know if I would consider this film a setback for him or not. Finally, Richard Ayoade is pretty good even though did not expect much out of him.

Overall, the Watch is a good, but could have been a way better film. It has a nice, central premise and I liked the sci-fi element of the film. There are some interesting creature designs here, but I wouldn't call them original and I'll leave it to the viewers to see. I rate this film 7/10.

I wish this had been better.

[alanhowden-86367 · 4/10 · 11 August 2022]

On paper this should be a film I would love. I like Ben Stiller comedies, I love Richard Ayoade and I really like the sci-fi idea of the plot. Unfortunately this whole movie feels lazy. The jokes are tired, the actors are clearly just going through the motions, everything is just really meh. Disappointing.

Decent

[KingMushCharva · 7/10 · 19 August 2019]

Ok so I probably enjoyed it more than I should have but I honestly don't think it deserves the 1-2 star ratings.

Inexplicable

[littlemartinarocena · 1/10 · 9 July 2013]

The nerve! I can't believe it look better on the page. Ben Stiller should know better by now. Or it's just a question of money. Not a moment of real comedy, not one. Vince Vaughn totally out of control in a non-character part. Oscar nominee Jonah Hill, lost. I felt hopeful when Billy Crudup makes his appearance, but the hope was very short lived. Random, inexplicable touches, that include explosions as a form of production value,I presume, but how embarrassing. The script is cheap and opportunistic but also misses its target, completely. Aliens in suburbia could have been a great idea. They needed writers and a director to execute it with some degree of oomph. Awful and depressing.

Well, I had a good time with it!

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 17 August 2012]

For me, this movie is a clear sign that some film-makers still care about making a good comedy. The movie is not just simple, cheap, predictable laughs, it actually is being one that relies on its story development and character buildup.

No, I'm not saying that this is a very clever or brilliantly written and made movie but I definitely prefer the approach of this movie above that of the average and more standard modern comedy. This is being a somewhat more subtle movie with all of its comedy and how it got incorporated into the movie.

Thing that made this movie especially great and fun to watch for me were its characters. The movie truly is mostly about its characters and their interactions with each other. All of the actors play quite well off each other and manage to give their characters some distinctive and enjoyable personalities. Really, without the movie its characters and actors portraying them, this would had most likely been a terribly weak movie.

It's true that most of the actors are playing the same type of characters they often play. Ben Stiller again plays a normal guy, who gets caught up in a crazy situation and Vince Vaughn basically is being a big man-child again. But somehow it all works out quite well and entertaining for the movie and I even dare to say that some of the biggest Stiller and/or Vaughn haters still could get some enjoyment out of this movie and not feel annoyed by their performances and characters.

It's hard not to really spoil this movie but it's about something way more than just about a neighborhood watch, with a bunch of misfits in it. There are some interesting and unexpected developments in this movie, at least when you haven't heard about them already. I won't say anything about it, since I feel that it's more fun to just go into this movie, without knowing what is going to happen in it. So I advice you to also stay away from any trailers and just let this movie surprise you.

I simply had a good time watching this movie!

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Somebody Kill Me!

[DearIMDB · 1/10 · 3 December 2012]

I got about 20 minutes into this... this dreadful, tiresome, mind numbing, "comedy" and that was all I could take. I tried to find humour in Ben Stiller's performance but I'm sorry, I'm not 10 years old and don't do dope or take drugs of any kind. I just don't find Ben Stiller funny in any of his films though I bet there are any number of people behind the camera laughing at his every wide eyed attempt at ironic humour, his manager, his agent, his psychiatrist etc. Frankly, I don't think even he gets it. His idea of comedy died with the Three Stooges. Only Phil Silvers can carry off being Phil Silvers (even Steve Martin must be aware of that by now) know what I mean. Be original! The first rule of comedy is IT HAS TO BE FUNNY! It wasn't. I'd like to see Stiller in a dramatic gritty role for a change. I bet he'd make a great action actor with say Bruce Willis; he'd nail it. I have yet to see a subtle comic performance from him. Those eyes and expressions of his have been done to death. The only one who made me remotely smile was Richard Ayoade a man who through his hit UK sitcom The IT Crowd, which made the absurd brilliantly hysterical, has a genuine feel for absurd throw away dialogue. Jonah Hill can be very very funny and anarchic but in this he was miscast, sorry Jonah. Vince Vaughn "If-I-shout-loud-enough-it'll-be-funny" brand of comedy just annoyed me. It was insulting. They were all doing their own bit but none of them seemed to be relating to the others. Yes if that was the point, it didn't work. Anyone one of their characters in reality would have walked away from the others. Comedy comes out of real situations. None of that had any sense of reality about it. It was like a low budget remake of The Burbs (kind of) but without the class and black humour. My advice is don't watch it. Go and paint your car or knit yourself a suit of armour or something. You'd be better employed.

A relaxing breath of fresh air

[bowmanblue · 8/10 · 28 November 2014]

The Watch has been getting a fair few negative reviews. Yeah, sure, it's no cinematic masterpiece, but I don't think it's meant to be. It's a comedy full of amusing conversations. There aren't really that many punchlines which will have your sides splitting, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a certain charm.

Ben Stiller leads a neighbourhood watch team that accidentally stumbles across an alien plot to take over the world. Yes, it's as silly as it sounds. Yes, there are plenty of unbelievable moments and yes, there are plenty of plot holes. But, there's also so much right with this film, that I think, if you try, you should be able to gloss over any misgivings you may have for this and enjoy it for what it is.

It's the perfect movie to sit down and relax your brain. Let the silly men entertain you and snigger at their attempts to save the world. Plus, for all you horror fans out there, the aliens themselves are pretty decent budget with a few gory moments thrown in for added bonus.

It's daft, it's smutty, it's silly, but it's also very enjoyable.

Kudos to Richard Ayoade for getting his foot into Hollywood's door. Good luck to him - he shows he can hold his own among Hollywood's comedic A-listers.

If you don't like fun then don't see the watch.

[pw1111 · 6/10 · 19 August 2012]

I see a lot of people bashing this film for some reason. Sure it's not some cinematic masterpiece; when I went to see it I wasn't expecting that. "The Watch" is a funny buddy comedy, filled with crude jokes and the silly shenanigans that you'd expect from Stiller, Vaughn, the rest of the cast, and writer Seth Rogen. Like a delicious onion the film does a good job peeling away at the story. Yes, it is not hard see the plot coming, but it's how the characters deal with the situations they encounter, that makes the film entertaining. Crybaby critics with their stuck up trendy smugness, "See, told you the plot was predictable.." Wow, way to over dramatize the obvious, you're so clever. I bet that "Titanic" ending took you by surprise? For all those critics who whine and cry about "The Watch" maybe they should just stay home and watch one of their Disney classics on VHS. This is a great film to see, escape the chaotic world and have a few laughs.

The Watch (2012) - Got Protection?

[nickmesafilms · 6/10 · 11 August 2012]

If a lot of you already know, "The Watch" was originally given the title, "Neighborhood Watch", but then the title was changed due to a controversy involving the shooting of Trayvon Martin by a member of a neighborhood watch group. Now, although I was really looking forward to see this movie, and although this movie's Rotten Tomatoes rating of 15% is quite not agreeable, "The Watch", although at it's consistent funny moments, isn't that perfect or quite memorable for an R-rated comedy. With an all-star cast, Ben Stiller delivers the same, usual, and uninspired performance as Evan, he's a kind and "by-the-book" nerd, working as a general manager for a local Costco, who then forms a neighborhood watch after his friend was murdered. He teams up Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoyade to help keep the neighborhood safe…or it's just a lame excuse to hang out with the guys! But then, an alien invasion starts to appear out of nowhere, and now it's up to the watch to keep everyone safe. Now, "The Watch" is not a terrible movie like everyone says it is, but it is a disappointing comedy that shares a few consistent laughs throughout. Even with a cool soundtrack and a likable cast, "The Watch" sadly doesn't live up to the hype for me! But, there are a few consistent moments, almost throughout the movie, that were undeniably funny, while some other moments either made me chuckle or cringe. Some members of the cast have their funny moments, especially Richard Ayoyade's scene-stealing performance. But overall, this movie just didn't quite impress me, and I really didn't get into the comedy in this one. As for the cast, each and every character is completely stereotypical, from Vaughn's man-child overprotective father, Hill's bad-ass speaking mamma's boy, Ayoyade's comic relief dude with a funny accent, and Stiller's awkward man with relationship problems involving having children. The plot holes are completely excruciating, the dialogue is badly forced, the pacing is a little too quick, the amount of "f-bombs" are considered unnecessary, and the whole alien subplot is a little too goofy. There's also a lot of predictable clichés from here and there, the action scenes are tensionless, and Will Forte delivers one of the most annoying performances in the history of film, as a bumbling cop against the watch. Everything was just all over the place, nothing really went appropriately planned here. Although "The Watch" is a disappointing paper-thin gimmick, it's still pretty entertaining for the most part, and again, I laughed at a couple of parts. But overall, "The Watch" is a forgettable and disappointing movie that still has it's moments. "The Watch", in my review, "occasionally funny, but sadly unimpressive".

Four letter words obscure wit, direction, writing, etc

[StevePulaski · 6/10 · 29 July 2012]

The Watch is one of those comedies that seems to rely too heavily on its cast's abilities and believes it can phone-in other key parts of filmmaking such as writing, tone, direction, and wit. When we laugh during the film, are we laughing because the scenarios are funny or because these are actors we've all seen in funny movies? Combing three of the funniest and most reliable actors working today, and one British actor who already has a loyal fanbase in America, seems like an easy recipe for success, but the recipe begins to call for too much and offer too little quickly.

The film was originally titled "Neighborhood Watch," but was quickly changed because of looming controversy from the Trayvon Martin case. You won't be thinking about that at all because the film offers so little resemblance to any "neighborhood watch" movie, program, or event in the last decade or so. It concerns Evan Trautwig (Stiller), a Costco manager and a loyal community activist, who has been starting clubs left and right for his humble Glenview, Ohio neighborhood. After one of his workers is murdered in the Costco, Evan creates a neighborhood watch program, which only recruits three misfits; loudmouth Bob (Vaughn), unstable Franklin (Hill), and offbeat Jamarcus (Ayoade).

As the watch works in a rather disorganized manner, they soon discover that the town is home to rather unearthly creatures and, obviously, since the police won't believe them, they must take matters into their own hands.

Ben Stiller gives his umpteenth rendition of the good-guy trying to do right, Vince Vaughn is a loud, obnoxious fratboy, who is struggling to maintain control as a single father looking after his rebellious teen daughter, and Jonah Hill is rather off-putting as an rejected police officer, mama's boy who continues to have trouble emoting and controlling his anger. While they are all playing stale archetypes of characters they have done in the past, they do manage to squeeze some laughs and chuckles here and there. But the king here is easily Richard Ayoade, who is sadly getting the cold shoulder with the film's ad campaign, which is boasting "STILLER, VAUGHN, AND HILL." Ayoade stars on a British sitcom called The IT Crowd, and has picked up followers in the U.S happily. Here, he delivers some memorable one-liners, as he sometimes effortlessly one-ups the other comedy veterans at their game.

What leaves The Watch with a pungent aftertaste is the writing, which to begin with, is not very funny, but is brought to the "decent" category because we see funny actors performing what is on the paper. The film was written by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jared Stern, and seeing as both Rogen and Goldberg were the ones responsible for making Superbad's script so quick, witty, and hilarious, it is surprising to see The Watch flounder in the writing department. This is where the film becomes too reliant on its actors, as it neglects to give them some interesting dialog to bounce off of.

It is also apparent that the direction is obscured because of the screenplay continuously jumping into raunchy comedy, sci-fi elements, romanticism between Evan and his wife, drama between Bob and his daughter, etc. One moment, we are laughing tirelessly at R. Lee Ermey's over-the-top cameo and the next, we are rolling our eyes when the boys are being attacked in Bob's mancave by another life-form. Had the film been more consistent in its writing, I doubt this problem would've even been so noticeable.

Director Akiva Schaffer, one of the three members of The Lonely Island comedy troupe (the three make a cameo in the film) responsible for some seriously witty music videos and digital shorts on Saturday Night Live, definitely has passion for the weird and surreal, with his previous effort being the unsung cult classic Hot Rod. He simply does what he can with what he has, while The Watch scurries along in its screenplay of errors and its directions a plenty Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Will Forte, and R. Lee Ermey. Directed by: Akiva Schaffer.

Gross, Silly and Unfunny

[claudio_carvalho · 4/10 · 14 November 2012]

In Glenview, Ohio, Evan (Ben Stiller) is the manager of the department store Costco and married with Abby (Rosemarie DeWitt). When the Costco night watchman Antonio Guzman (Joe Nunez) is mysteriously murdered, Evan organizes The Neighborhood Watch, a watch team with his suburban neighbors Bob (Vince Vaughn), Franklin (Jonah Hill) and Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade) to protect the neighborhood and find the killer of Antonio. Soon they discover that the murderer is an alien that is preparing to invade Earth, and they become the last hope of mankind on Earth.

"The Watch" is a gross, silly and unfunny comedy with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. There are very few funny moments along 102 minutes running time and in the end, this movie is very disappointing. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Vizinhos Imediatos de 3o Grau" ("Close Neighbors of the Third Kind")

it was a painful experience

[sa989 · 1/10 · 30 July 2012]

This movie is just about unwatchable. Filled with high-school humor,long boring conversations and horrible acting with aliens in the mix.The only people who can find this funny are stoned high teenagers and kids that just learned a new word, DICK.

This is one of those direct to DVD mistakes.

Let's face it, Ben is just not happening this days and poor Vince (a man with some talent)will be in the same boat if he keeps appearing in venues such as this.

Sitting in a theater with all of 12 people was a PAINFUL experience at best. The only bright spot in this trash pile was the sixty seconds that Lee Ermey was on screen.

My roommate asked me about the movie and i told him "Don't waste your TIME and hard-earned money!".

Great sci-fi comedy

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 2 July 2020]

The Watch is a great sci-fi comedy with a great premise that's consistently really funny despite it's predictable moments. Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade are all great with good chemistry. Rosemarie DeWitt and Will Forte are both really good. It's well paced, well filmed and Akiva Schaffer's direction is great. The soundtrack is really good and the music by Christophe Beck is good

Poor plot but funny...

[Thanos_Alfie · 6/10 · 11 January 2019]

"The Watch" is an Action - Comedy movie in which we watch four neighbors creating a group that they call it 'neighborhood watch' in order to catch a killer. Although the true reason why they created this group is to find a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines. As they continue searching for this killer they found out some very strange facts and in the end, they have to fight an alien invasion to save the Earth.

I liked this movie because I had very low expectations from it. This movie has a very poor plot, something that makes it a bit boring at the start but as it continues it gets more interesting. Regarding the direction which was made by Akiva Schaffer, I have to admit that there was no imagination of making something new and his direction wasn't that good. About the interpretations, I liked a lot the interpretation of Vince Vaughn who played as Bob and he was simply the best in this movie and Jonah Hill who played as Franklin made also a nice interpretation. Another interpretation that has to be mentioned was Richard Ayoade's who played as Jamarcus and he was equally good as Jonah Hill.

Finally, I have to say that "The Watch" isn't a bad movie but it lacks in many aspects such as direction and imagination to create something new that will surprise the audience and will make the movie more interesting. I don't recommend this movie to anyone because there a lot of other comedy movies which are funnier and far better than this, and because I believe that if you watch this movie you are going to be disappointed.

Funny and silly, lots of laughs.

[cohuttablue-imdb · 7/10 · 10 August 2012]

I hadn't seen previews and wasn't sure what to expect--afraid it might be another Dumb and Dumber, or maybe just a movie trying too hard. I was pleasantly surprised. We laughed all the way through it. It was fun to watch these lovable losers 'protect' their neighborhood. Some reviews criticize the vulgarity. (C'mon, folks; it's rated 'R', what do you expect? An 'R' rating used to be borderline 'X', but this movie is pretty tame, IMHO). It's not sophisticated--don't expect Woody Allen. It'll play to the suburbs more than to jaded urbanites. It's way more of 'humor' than 'sci-fi'. Sci-fi fans won't see anything new here--it's all stock, with moments of parody, lightly poking fun at memorable bits from iconic movies (ET, etcetera). It is rather juvenile, but that's to be expected. Juvenile can be fun. This is a non-pretentious, guy-humor film. Comedy should make you laugh. This one does. Age difference of two viewers who loved it: over 50 and under 30.

Brainless entertainment

[Gordon-11 · 9 April 2014]

This film tells the story of a supermarket manager, who forms a neighbourhood watch after his employee was brutally killed in his supermarket.

"The Watch" is a light-hearted and fun rendition of a few unlikely heroes who save the world from alien invasion. The whole plot s so far fetched and ridiculous, that it means "The Watch" cannot be taken seriously. There is a metal ball capable of mass destruction, there is a super hunk that turns out to be more than he is, and the weak spot of the aliens is located in a particular area of the body. The dialog is juvenile and silly, but "The Watch" is all about brainless entertainment. If you treat it like a joke, you will have a lot of laughs.

funny!!funny!!funny!!

[robNbanks · 7/10 · 5 July 2012]

let me start by saying this movie is absolutely hilarious!! i saw it last night at an advanced screening with my girlfriend we both loved the movie vince vaughn is extremely funny and jonah hill is great in it. overall the acting is great and the comedy/action is great..although the aliens look strange!! but the movie is nonstop hilarity from start to finish. don't worry you will love it if you like slapstick. this movie is packed full of hilarious references and lines i don't wanna ruin anything for you guys but you will be quoting this movie all summer. overall i enjoyed the movie a whole lot although im 22 years old and my girlfriend is 21, i definitely would not recommend taking kids to this movie because there are a lot of adult themes and language. but if your 16-40 you will probably love it!

A delightful romp

[williamsandonz · 7/10 · 17 April 2022]

I'm a sucker for these sorts of movies so I'm probably a bit biased but I loved it. It's just turn your brain off comedy with a ridiculous plot line, familiar cast, bit of aliens. I'm giving it a 7 because it deserves more than a 5.7, probably a 6.3 in my book.

Watch at your own risk

[meeza · 7/10 · 9 February 2013]

Watching the comedy "The Watch", I thought to myself that this is definitely not a training video on how to properly conduct a successful neighborhood crime watch program; it is actually its antithesis. However, I kept watching "The Watch"; first of all, because I have a cinematic golden rule that I must finish every film I start watching no matter how atrocious it is, but most of all because at the end of the day it is just a movie and not to be taken too seriously. "The Watch" stars Ben Stiller as Evan, a Costco manager who discovers that his night security guard Antonio has been murdered on the job. Evan decides to start up a Neighborhood Crime Watch program in his community to help catch Antonio's killer; which is a definite "no no" why someone should start a Neighborhood Watch program, it really should be to be the "eyes and ears" of the community and help out law enforcement, not to be a "citizens on patrol" group which is another concept altogether. Evan gets very little participation on his Neighborhood Watch participation, except for the zany Bob (Vince Vaughn) and the disturbed Franklin (Jonah Hill) who decide to join the Watch. And then we get the eccentric Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade) to round up Evan's Neighborhood Crime Watch Quartet. Bob's reason to join is to escape his home existence and bond with the guys. Franklin's goes into it more with a vigilante approach much so because of his past failed attempts to be a law enforcement officer. I will leave Jamarcus' reasoning disclosed for now, you just have to watch. In all, no Neighborhood Crime Watch employee should ever provide these guys a Crime Watch sign after they establish their phone chain. Confused? Sorry, just talking a bit Neighborhood Crime Watch protocol here, I got connections. There is plenty of silliness involved in "The Watch", especially when an alien storyline invades this movie; which was quasi-comical but mostly inane. It seemed at times that Director Avika Schaffer had a bit too many Schaefer beers while constructing "The Watch", and I think his drinking buddies were his Screenwriters Seth Rogen, Jared Stern, and Evan Goldberg. Sure their screenplay did deliver a few zingers but not enough to protect "The Watch" from LSD (Ludicrous Script Development). Stiller, Vaughn, Hill, and Ayoade should not watch out for acting awards to head their way for their performances here; even though I do think that Mr. Vaughn was really the best thespian block captain of the bunch. Sorry, wanted to deliver more Neighborhood Crime Watch terminology; again, I have connections. Also, there were not many good signs to post up on Rosemarie DeWitt's work as Evan's embryo impatient wife Abby, and of Will Forte's performance as the pestering Sgt. Bressman of the local police department. "The Watch" is not the worst comedy you will watch, and it does have its moments, but I do advise that you might be robbed of some valuable time of your personal existence. *** Average

It was fun, a little breath of fresh-air.

[finnlife1 · 8/10 · 16 September 2012]

First off, don't read other reviews about this, it will ruin the unexpected plot and you will probably go in with a negative view. Somebody else said that this isn't a cinematic masterpiece and that's pretty much what i agree with, but it wasn't meant to be, it had some refreshing dialogue that wasn't so much punchlines, but funny conversations,the whole movie itself was just funny in general, the plot was ridiculous but at the same time it was really funny because it was just a big joke. The same people who rate this movie down are the same people who go rate down Schwarzenegger films because they have a silly plot, it's not about the plot, it's about hardcore action and silly punchlines, just like this movie is about funny conversations and a fun plot.

Yeah, the world's end was better but still- give this one a chance

[aidanratesmovies · 7/10 · 15 April 2022]

An entertaining, albeit uneven comedic endeavor- The Watch does feel a bit half baked at times- but its good moments really do shine and make the film a rather pleasant and memorable experience to watch. I saw this film when I was like 9 or 10 years old, and not knowing any films like it at the time, I was scared out of my mind, which is super funny to me now. The Watch is a very irreverent and absurd take on films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing- combining the brilliant (although vastly different) comedic performances of Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Billy Crudup, Will Forte and more. Let's be honest here, this films cast is absolutely stacked. Not to mention the film was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and directed by member of the lonely island and director of Hot Rod Akiva Schaffer. All of which amounts to a really impressive sounding production- but the film is hardly without its flaws. The film was honestly quite panned upon its release and at times I can see why. Its humor during the first half of the film can feel incredibly tone deaf and awkward at times, trying to improvise and falling flat on many occasions. It also feels like the script doesn't have a very clear idea of where it wants to go with its interesting concept at times- and does a bit of a messy job at handling its different comedic actors and therefore different styles of comedy to go with it. With all that i just mentioned you may be wondering what possibly could save this film, and honestly the last hour of the film is pretty dang enjoyable. Yes its no Citizen Kane or even nearly as good as the similar premised films its based on, but it is really entertaining and really fun to watch and made me laugh out loud on several occasions. The cast definitely has charisma together, and the special effects are really unique and oddly well done. It's absurd realism at times can also be amusing, especially considering it takes place in Ohio, of which I grew up in myself and can see many parallels that can be a bit too close for comfort. Its cinematography is pretty dang good, it wraps up quite nicely, and it's soundtrack is honestly pretty impressive even if it can be shoehorned in there a few times. In the end, The Watch is far from the horrible film many claim it to be. It may never live up to the potential of its comedic performers and creators- but it does prove to be a fun watch and maybe that's all it needs to be.

My Rating: 6.7/10.