"The Watch" review by Chris

"The Watch" is a movie that plays out exactly as you’d expect, so I’ll keep it short and sweet: Evan, played by Ben Stiller, gathers a group of three other normal guys to search for murderous aliens. It’s a basic Ben Stiller plot with a group of screwball guys in abnormal circumstances, and while it sets up lots of opportunities for comedy, it never knows what to do with them. 

 The jokes tend to start strong, but then they linger, until their dried up husks riddle the movie from beginning to end. Interlaced with the occasional serious moment to help the audience connect with the characters, the film’s protagonists have few real problems that carry any weight with a spectator. Slowing things down further is a lack of enthusiasm from the cast — Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill tone down their usual routine a little, but still mostly just act like themselves. Richard Ayoade at first seems like he might be a breath of fresh air, but ends up falling flat like the others.

None of this is to say that you can't find enjoyment in "The Watch." Some jokes work well, but none are enough to keep this from being an utterly forgettable waste of time.

1.5 "Neighborhood Watches" out of 5

Written by Chris

Edited by Aaron