I wanted to see "The Dictator" as soon, as it came out in the theaters. That didn't happen due to work, along with scheduling conflicts, and I now wish this movie was never released. Sasha Cohen made me laugh in Borat and to a lesser extent in Bruno, but those were at least funny movies, that had some well developed skits. The Dictator is just a couple of quick gags, such as Megan Fox being an escort, although she did look pretty sweet as always. That and hot women as the Dictator Aladeen, has as guards like Qadafi did, are all about I liked seeing. Its almost as if its just a bunch of cheap gags, as there's no substance, no story, and limited amounts of humor.

You know those movies, where you want to laugh, but just cannot? This is one of those. Yes, I busted out laughing during a helicopter scene, and another involving masturbation. Those were funny, as was the talking head, but other than those parts that lasted mere minutes, I had to fight sleep. Most of this, is because in my opinion, Sasha "showed up" in this movie. His usual funny facial movements, expressions of much emotion and shock, are just not here. The supporting cast does him no help. There's no Azamat to prop him up, but rather a formerly "supposedly executed nuclear scientist," and he is not even worthy of writing about.

What you have seen in the previews, are the funniest parts of the movie. The concept alone is amusing. A North African dictator, influenced no doubt by Qadafi and a little bit of Kim Jong II, shows up in the USA to sign a Constitution in New York. This is at UN headquarters, and mirrors a lot of, what one could consider recent events in North Africa and the Middle East. There is a conspiracy involving a body double, oil deals with shady business men, and an obvious set up that is assisted by a protective detail assigned to Dictator Aladeen.

His beard, apparently his identity, gets cut off. With this horror, he is on the New York City streets, and the future of his country Wadiya appears to be a democracy. Here he meets a protestor named Zoey(Anna Farris), who manages a co-op store. There are a couple of amusing gags in here, with Aladeen becoming "Allison Burgers," and he eventually runs the store with a new form of management style. It could have been very amusing, but this only took up a few moments, and there's no "meat" to this movie. Its just gag after gag. The acting is second rate, and this movie is so disorganized, that it just doesn't make any sense at all.

What does this hold for the future? I don't know, but it appears that Sasha Cohen is on a downward spiral in movies. He just isn't very funny. Sure there is the usual stereotypes and grotesque humor in here, but it just lacks creativity one would expect. That leaves it empty, as does this entire movie. I am sad that I caught this in the theater. Yes, the masturbation scene truly is hilarious, and a helicopter issue that plays on post 9/11 fears. That was almost Austin Powers like, but failed to reach the bar. This movie I cannot in any circumstance recommend, and I am disappointed to have spent money on it. There are better comedies to see, and on basis of being a movie, this is like a very long television show that lacks any value.  

Recommended: No

Movie Mood: Funny Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Rough cut, missing major effects, music, etc.
Worst Part of this Film: Everything