“Ali G: Who Iz I?” Review: Cohen’s Fool Still Delivers Laughs
I discovered Sacha Baron Cohen while living in England. One night, after a night out, I caught “Ali G Indahouse” on TV, and something about that ridiculous character resonated with me. Here was a man who could make being confidently clueless seem like a specialized skill. Watching “Ali G: Who Iz I?” brought back some of that enjoyment.
Cohen returns as the rapper whose understanding of the world lags behind his self-confidence. With his girlfriend Julie (Morgana Robinson) pregnant, Ali travels to America, hoping to revive his career. His search for relevance leads him through social media, entertainment opportunities, and personal questions about his father.
The premise allows Cohen to revisit the character while acknowledging that the world has changed. Ali’s attempts to navigate a landscape where everyone has a platform feel like a natural extension of his personality. He craves attention, but understanding what that entails is another matter.
Unlike in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Cohen seems more focused on having fun in this film than pursuing full-on shock value. That doesn’t mean he’s suddenly developed restraint; the crude humor is still present, and some encounters can be uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I enjoyed spending time with a character whose foolishness can generate laughs before the film reaches for a larger statement.
Robinson makes a great partner in the film, helping the relationship feel more substantial than just an excuse for another stunt. A sequence in which a realtor relays messages between the couple captures the kind of escalating absurdity that works best here. Sometimes, a comedy needs an absurd situation and characters willing to keep it going.
The balance between staged storytelling and interactions with unsuspecting participants is less consistent. Cohen revisits characters from “Who Is America?”, and these detours detract from Ali’s storyline. An apology video involving artificial intelligence also feels cluttered. At times, simplifying the joke could have made it sharper.
The later political material introduces a darker tone, revealing behavior that deserves scrutiny, even as the laughter becomes harder to find. These scenes complicate the lighter mood without overwhelming it.
For me, the appeal lies in Cohen’s commitment to this spectacularly misguided character. Not every joke lands, but enough do to make the return worthwhile. “Ali G: Who Iz I?” reminded me why that late-night discovery in England stuck with me. Sometimes, revisiting an old fool makes for an enjoyable evening, as long as you appreciate his brand of foolishness.
Final Grade: B+
