Much like the drummer of a hit band breaking out with his own solo album, Observe And Report capitalises on the recent success of actor Seth Rogen, best known for his ensemble appearances in a string of Judd Apatow comedies. Writer/director Jody Hill, however, is nowhere near as gifted as Apatow, and lacks that filmmaker's deceptively light approach to frat-boy humour. Nor is Seth Rogen a leading man of any substance, at least not playing the unlikable and deluded dag that he does here. Worst of all, Observe And Report wallows in the mire of black-as-tar comedy, amping up the profanity and brutality, yet neglecting to make any of it funny.

Rogen plays Ronnie Barnhardt, a twenty-something mall cop chief, in charge of an incompetent team of lesser losers, who takes his pathetic job in the suburban wasteland all too seriously. While he pines for the affections of the bleached-blonde cosmetics counter chick (Anna Faris), Ronnie is somewhat oblivious to the romantic signals being sent out by the cute girl at the cinnamon buns shop (Collette Wolfe). When an elusive flasher strikes, Ronnie is spurred to catch the culprit, pissing off Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) in the process.

Do we really need another mall cop movie? The recent Paul Blart: Mall Cop at least had some fat-boy slapstick on its side. This sad excuse for a comedy has lazily constructed characters, specifically the utterly unappealing Rogen and the usually hilarious Faris as the vacuous, bitchy and slutty make up girl. It also has a vile date rape "joke" and a brutal montage of kids getting their heads caved in with their own skateboards. Good times! As a story about a sad-sack trying to better himself, Observe And Report is all pain and no gain. Avoid at all costs.