“The Watch,” distributed by 20th Century Fox, premiered Friday to theaters across the nation. The film earned $12.8 million and finished in third place behind “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Ice Age: Continental Drift.” This is director Akiva Schaffer’s second film who had his directorial debut with “Hot Rod” in 2007. | Courtesy of Melinda Sue Gordon/20th Century Fox
A new comedy is worth the break away from the action-packed blockbuster films that have dominated the box office all summer long.
“The Watch” reunites “Frat Pack” members Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn on the big screen alongside Jonah Hill, best known for his “Superbad” role.
The film follows Evan (Stiller), a Costco manager in his small suburban town of Glenview, Ohio who is motivated to become proactive and start a neighborhood watch group after one his employees is mysteriously murdered working the overnight shift in his store.
Stiller easily portrayed Evan as a beta male who is loyal to his manager duties, friends and wife. Evan soon adjusts his priorities and daily routines after he finally forms an alliance with three other members of his community.
Bob (Vaughn), Franklin (Hill) and Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade) eagerly rise up to the challenge of defending their fellow neighbors, but it is clear that they are more of a hinder than help to Bob, and this is where the comedy comes in.
Vaughn unsurprisingly plays the brash, filthy and loud-mouthed friend who has his own problems to deal with at home with a rebellious teenager.
Hill is the youngest actor of the four men casted and his presence was a nice addition to the film — working with comedy veterans Stiller and Vaughn will help to shed his adorable image from 2007’s “Superbad” into an actor who will surely be able to star in more R-rated comedies in the future.
The comedy managed to capitalize on the obviously intentional cheesy scenes in the film, which included heads flying across the room from decapitated bodies and buildings exploding.
The hour-and-40-minute long film was also oversaturated with product placements that became an annoying sight throughout the screening. It is also worth nothing that this will only become a common occurrence in future films as marketing strategists look to further expand their brands.
Director Akiva Schaffer who is best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and as a member of The Lonely Island managed to stay afloat with this release.
“The Watch” could serve as one of this summer’s comedy highlights.
Pretty much all of my least favorite actors (hint: not favorite) in one movie! Definitely a movie I will avoid.