The Watch

A raunchy, sci-fi action-comedy that was originally titled Neighborhood Watch (wisely changed after the real-life murder of Trayvon Martin), The Watch is a story about four guys trying to protect their community from an alien invasion. Evan (Ben Stiller) believes that Glenview, OH, is the most wonderful place in the universe—until he discovers a nest of hostile aliens in the basement of the Costco superstore that he manages. First to fall to the extraterrestrials' laser guns is the store's second-shift security guard who is found—lifeless and skinless—in the warehouse. When the investigating sergeant (Will Forte) notes that the town only has eight policemen, Evan forms a neighborhood patrol group that includes boisterous Bob (Vince Vaughn), a beer-guzzling construction guy with a rebellious teenage daughter, Chelsea (Erin Moriarty); creepy Franklin (Jonah Hill), a sociopathic, switchblade-wielding, militia-loving loner who still lives with his mother; and mild-mannered, recently divorced Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade), a Brit who yearns to hook up with Asian women. When the volunteers stumble across a puddle of green goo that has the same textural consistency as semen, a seemingly endless barrage of phallic jokes are unleashed, tied to the aliens having brains in their genitals. Haphazardly directed by Akiva Schaffer with lots of ill-conceived, semi-incoherent improv, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (25 min.), a segment on “Casting the Alien” (5 min.), a gag reel (4 min.), an “Alien Invasions & You” clip (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a “Watchmakers” making-of featurette (12 min.), alternate takes with costar Jonah Hill (6 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a lame comedy.] (S. Granger)