Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language.

Reviewed by: Taran Gingery
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Comedy Adaptation
Length: 1 hr. 22 min.
Year of Release: 2006
USA Release: November 3, 2006 (wide)
Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

What are the consequences of racial prejudice and false beliefs about the origin of races? Answer

Racism, Ethnicity Issues and Christianity
Get biblical answers to racial hot-topics. Where did the races come from? How did skin color come about? Why is it important to have a biblical foundation for such issues?

Why are humans supposed to wear clothes? Answer

Featuring Sacha Baron Cohen, Kenneth Davitian, Luenell, Pat Haggerty
Director Larry Charles
Producer Monica Levinson, Dan Mazer, Jay Roach
Distributor
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Trademark logo.
20th Century Studios
, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company

What is the best way to offend or stir up millions of people all at one time? The answer is to make a movie. Michael Moore did it with “Fahrenheit 9/11,” Mel Gibson did it with “The Passion of the Christ,” Ron Howard and company did it with “The Da Vinci Code,” and now British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has done it with his new film “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.” Not that his film has anything to do with the real country of Kazakhstan, mind you.

The film starts in a country that is very much like Kazakhstan and is in fact referred to as Kazakhstan throughout the film, but in truth, is far from it. Rather, Borat Sagdiyev (Cohen) comes from a country that is made up of all of our preconceived ideas about what a country in that general vicinity should look like. Therefore, the kindergarteners are raised holding machine guns, and people are generally uncouth, uneducated and backwards. A rather depressing start to a comedy, I thought.

The plot kicks off once Borat leaves his home country for the “U. S. of A.” in order film a documentary about the American way of life, so as to change the way his country thinks. So, armed with nothing but his camera, his director Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian), and his live chicken, Borat steps off the plane and into a strange country that will shock him with its ways, but will be even more shocked by his ways. What follows is a trek across America as Borat gradually forgets his original purpose and becomes more and more obsessed with finding and marrying (or at least carrying off) Pamela Anderson.

Along the way, Borat meets various people, including feminists, cowboys, college students, weather reporters and driving instructors, all of whom he manages to offend or causes them to embarrass themselves. It should be noted that almost no one in this film is a professional actor, and many of them were actually tricked into thinking Cohen really was Borat from Kazakhstan and were filmed without knowledge that they would be in international cinemas. Thus, most of the reactions to Borat’s behavior are genuine.

With that in mind, the movie brings to light many of America’s prejudices and problems with racism. For example, Borat manages to get three drunk college students to voice their opinions about slavery, and let’s just say that their opinions are hardly complimentary. Elsewhere, Borat inadvertently invites an African-American hooker to a posh dinner party, and many of the guests get up and leave immediately, rather than be in her company. While much of what Borat does is exaggerated purely for shock value, note especially peoples’ reactions when Borat tries to greet them in his traditional manner, which is not in any way over the top. There are many other examples in other parts of the film.

While I’m not saying that every American would react in these ways, I am saying that these things do still happen, and that we should be aware of the sad fact that racism is still alive in many parts of the country. Other messages of the film that are also worthy of attention are the importance of forgiveness and that, in the words of Borat, “if we spend too much time chasing our dreams, especially if they have plastic chests, then we miss the beauty of a world around us.”

Does this mean that we should have to wade through mountains of offensive content to be told these things? Absolutely not! And the offensive content piles high. Pretty much all of Borat’s verbal and visual gags involve masturbation, incest, defecation, explicit male and female nudity (in some photos), and homosexuality—and the list could go on. Particularly repulsive is an extended, and quite pointless, fully nude wrestling match between Borat and a very fat man, during which explicit nudity is censored, but is complete with exaggerated sex positions. As one can imagine, the profanity is pretty high, too.

The offensive content doesn’t just end with extreme crudity and grossness, though. Many people will be offended by Borat’s blatant prejudice against Jews, much of which is played for laughs. I believe that Cohen, who is himself a Jew, played these racist jokes to the extreme to show how truly pointless and stupid these prejudices are. However, that doesn’t stop them from offending. Also, equally pointless (although it does bring about Borat’s change of heart about forgiveness) is a scene in a Pentecostal church that, while actually doing a somewhat reasonable job of showing Christians praising God and going into a Spirit-filled fervor, is only played for more laughs.

Some scenes are truly funny; especially one involving a bear and an ice cream truck, and another involving a televised news report. So, if you have the stomach for the gross, crude, and profane humor, and if you aren’t easily offended by racist jokes and are willing to look past it all for some important messages that do need to be heard, than Borat is the movie for you.

If not, then look no further than to Christ Himself, who argued by His actions and words that race, sex, and nationality are not important in the eyes of the Father, and therefore should not be important to us, and he didn’t have to stoop to obscenities and a fake Russian accent to make his point, either.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Extreme


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—This movie is destined to get slammed on here for being so offensive, but it’s the overtly outrageous offensiveness of it all that I find so hilarious. Don’t review this movie seriously the same way you might review “Apollo 13,” but instead take a second to allow yourself to just laugh. This movie isn’t being anti-semetic, homophobic, racist, sexist, and disgusting, just for the sake of being those things.

Rather, it does it in such an over the top way as to draw attention to the absurdity of being anti-semetic, racist, sexist, homophobic or anything else like that. Chill out, cheer up and let yourself enjoy it. It’s not evil. It’s not the “devil’s work.” It’s a backwards way of exposing the absurdity of America. Learn to laugh at yourself, and you’ll be much better off. Remember: even God has a sense of humor.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 5
John, age 21
Positive—This was an excellent and hilarious movie. I think it showed great Christian values, and I would not hesitate to take my friends and family to go see it. There were a few parts that were mildly offensive, but otherwise, it was really good.
My Ratings: Good / 5
Brian Schafer, age 26
Positive—This is absolutely one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. I was in hysterics the entire movie. I must say that it is, however, very offensive, there is just no way around it. The genius of Sasha Baron Cohen has always been to look at stereotypes and make them seem ridiculous and to make people feel uncomfortable; he has done it with Borat, Ali G and Bruno, and he certainly plays on that formula here. Does this film have a good message? No. Does it have a bad message? No. It is an hour and a half of pure gross-out, witty hilarity. Borat is a character so ridiculous and so offensive to everyone, that it is hard to for anyone to be personally offended, and though the sexual content was literally a complete joke, the male nudity was incredibly excessive. I went to school in England for a year, so I had seen tons of Borat and the rest of the Ali G show, and I knew what to expect and wasn’t too suprised. This movie is so hysterical, and Cohen is brilliant, I can’t begin to tell you how funny it is, and no matter how offended you are, I guarantee you will laugh in spite of yourself, though I can’t say that I would ever reccomend this film from a Christian perspective.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 5
Doug Coleman, age 23
Positive—I laughed so hard that I think I pulled a muscle in my chest. No lie. I have had some very bad times lately in my life and was even having suicidal thoughts and went to this movie for a laugh. It paid off. I laughed so hard I cried. As a devout Christian who has a graduate degree in church history from a Lutheran Seminary, I know that many moments in the film were very egregious from a moral point of view, but it was done in a witty manner, and it shined a light on issues like racism and sexism. If your sense of humor is not flexable enough to handle intelligent immorality, please don’t go see this and then write about how offened you were. Know your limits. But whatever you want to say about the movie, I have smiled more than I have in a long time, and my suicidal thoughts are toned down. God works in mysterious ways.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 4
B. Edward, age 34
Positive—First off, I’d like to say I’m a Christian… and considering how once scene in the movie was specifically aimed at making fun of them, if the movie was as bad as most people are saying on this site I should be offended, picketing the movie right now. Except I’m not. I’m going to go see it again next Friday, because I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Borat is a truly funny, mockumentary that’s not only the funniest thing in years, but probably will be for a long time afterwards. The beauty of Borat (and what is misunderstood by most of the people who rated it F), is the fact that the joke isn’t on the race, it’s on the racist. The movie is making fun of racist people by showing how pointless racism is, and it does it better than “Crash” and not to mention makes you laugh harder than anything I’ve seen before. Like I said, I may be a christian, but if you’re intelligent enough to get the humor, it doesn’t matter if you’re religous, you’ll love it, if you can learn to laugh stuff off instead of claiming it’s “the devil’s work!” which honestly just makes you sound like you’re a judgmental jerk with your nose stuck in the air. Learn to laugh a little.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 4½
Josh McCoy, age 21
Positive—This is clearly the funniest film of the year. I couldn’t stop laughing. Yes, some of the scenes made me uncomfortable—namely, the scene in the Pentecostal church—but overall, I had a great time. Sacha Baron Cohen is a genius. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard as I did in this film. However, I cannot recommend it to everyone, because it IS one of the most offensive films ever printed on celluloid. Many people have walked out of this film, and many others will follow. However, if you think you can handle it, go for it, but you WILL be uncomfortable most of the time, when you’re not laughing your head off. By the way, another scene that I could have done without was an outrageous nude wrestling match between Borat and his overweight sidekick, Azamat. That hurt my eyes in more ways than one. Not for kids.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4
Adam Renkovish, age 24
Positive—I’m not Christian but I would recommend this movie for anyone who is willing to sit through a few vulgar spots to see something that is socially profound. …I loved it. As many other people have said, it exposes many willfully hidden double standards in our culture. Yes, it’s very offensive but that’s the point. The movie makes people uncomfortable not just by showing silly yet offensive things, it does it by showing very important offensive thing. I think that the frat boys scene illustrates this point perfectly. It’s not the actor that’s offensive, it’s the guys who aren’t actors that get your blood boiling. They speak in a positive tone about slavery and in a negative tone about women. All in all, this movie will make you wonder whether or not this country has come as for as you think.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 5
Dustin, age 25
Positive—I thought this movie was great. I laughed almost the entire movie. I love Sacha Baron Cohen on the Ali G Show and can’t wait till his Bruno movie comes out. I don’t really find it offensive at all. Really there is nothing offensive about crude humor; it should be violence that offends people. …
My Ratings: Average / 5
Matt, age 20
Neutral
Neutral—While I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone Christian, or otherwise, based upon moral value, I would say it’s absolutely hilarious. If you don’t understand Sacha Cohen’s brand of humor, this movie will be lost on you. Sacha’s character Borat isn’t just offensive to be crude, but like another viewer commented: to point out certain absurdities in America. If you take the movie at face value, then I can see how you would think its “the devils work.”
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 4
Jerry, age 23
Neutral—After seeing various clips of the movie “Borat” in various programmes and on the news here in the UK, particularly intrigued by the genius (though yes, it smacked of immorality and deception) of using real people, in some cases putting his life in danger, e.g. the rodeo scene, to go with the documentary form of the movie, and because I’d laughed at a lot of Ali G sketches by the same Sacha Baron Cohen (I must add though, that I bought Ali G the movie and it was so offensive, I couldn’t watch more than 10 minutes of it—there was a particular scene with a dog—before I stopped in disgust and made sure I bent the DVD so out-of-shape before throwing it away, so that no-one who found it’d be able to watch it), and I went to give myself a treat and much needed good laugh. I laughed. Very hard. And I got a lot of food for thought. Racism is alive and well. So is misogyny. Also, having never seen a gay parade, it is depressing to see how easily people can practise in broad daylight and in public places acts which are abominable in the eyes of God. There is work to do.

Sacha is of Jewish origin, so he only brings up the ridiculous, but still present prejudices against Jews. The same as he shows how racism against black people still exists, but it should be clear he is not advocating it, but only mocking it, especially as he speaks in the end on the foolishness of getting so caught up chasing a stupid dream, particularly if that dream has a plastic chest, that you miss the true beauty in the world around you, and thus marries the African-American hooker and friend he’d earlier made. The film gives food for thought, and I found it funny, but the nude male wrestling scene especially, though not only, is very offensive, and if you do not have a strong stomach and are not an adult, you shouldn’t watch it.

There was one scene, however, which I wish could be shown in every church, especially of the charismatic/pentecostal/evangelical christian, etc. expression, to which incidentally, I belong, and that is the scene filmed in such a church. Why did I have this nagging feeling and do still, that someone, in the mass of pastors, leaders, intercessors, church workers, etc. clustered in frenetic prayer and one-size-fits-all ministry around “Borat,” should have been sensitive enough in the Holy Spirit, to know something wasn’t quite right, know something smelt a bit off, as it were, about this new “convert?” Peter knew Ananias and Saphira were lying. Why did it seem to even me, an ardent Christian, that hands were being “laid” on Borat with such force that he was practically physically pushed down on the floor when he wasn’t “slain” in the Spirit in the normal way? That struggle at the altar was so undignified! I think those of us, especially in the spotlighted expression of Christianity, should take this as a divine (yes! Divine! God can make use of anything! If you wish just see Sacha and Borat as Balaam’s ass being used to show Balaam what he has refused to see) wake up call to take a good, long look at ourselves and our house, and stop getting psyched up, hyped up on at best, sheer emotionalism and at worst, mass hysteria and calling it the Holy Spirit. This is not to discountenance true moves of the Spirit. Perhaps, also, our leaders need to get back to their “first love” and only be concerned with the true salvation and discipleship of His sheep, and not to believe their own press and stop being concerned about the people/congregation and what they might think (if everyone they lay hands on isn’t “slain by the anointing” or if everyone who comes to the altar isn’t ready for salvation, we shouldn’t make converts by force, sometimes maybe all someone can handle is just prayer and counselling and for us to keep praying, there’s no shame in that) which was the downfall of Moses. “Borat” is not for everyone, but for it’s profound, thought-provoking quality, I honestly wish it could be.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 5
Hephzibah (Nigeria), age 37+
Neutral—“Borat” is definitely one of the most offensive movies I’ve seen—also one of the funniest and most thought-provoking. The sexual humor in this movie was way over the top, BUT THE MOST SHOCKING THING IN THIS MOVIE is the outright bigotry, racism, prejudice, and ignorance which Borat (who is acting) ellicits from the mouths of various Americans (who are not actors). It was so revealing and so sad to see. While the movie does contain some excessively crude humor, it also contains amazingly clever social commentary. Some people have been offended by Borat’s (Cohen’s) mockery of a very Pentecostal church in the movie. While I did feel a little uncomfortable watching the scene (especially when I considered the sincerity and well-meaning of the church-goers), I think that if Paul’s instructions about “orderly worship” had been followed by this Church, it could have been spared this embarresment. 1 Corinthians 14:25-40
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4½
Joel, age 26
Neutral—I didn’t laugh during this movie. I smiled about three times. I liked everything about it except Borat himself, who I think was a despicable fool of a character. I found the slice of life across the various segments of American society to be very interesting, with all their foibles and weaknesses, prejudices and even strengths. It was like watching a candid camera movie, as ordinary people from various walks of life interact with this preposterous figure of Borat. I was not deeply offended, because I think the one who came off worst was Borat himself and not the American public, despite its flaws. And I was not amused—just amazed that anyone who knows Jesus Christ and his Word could possibly find this movie hilariously funny.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3½
Negative
Negative—This film was funny at some parts, but is not worth seeing due to the severity of the vulgarity. I just felt dirty and very uncomfortable during most of the movie’s latter parts.

It’s not worth jeopardizing your purity and close relationship with Christ, just for a few laughs. Yes, it’s funny, but I just can’t see the Lord watching this type of movie with you. Please be careful and remember your priorities.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 3½
Nathan Delis, age 19
Negative—“Borat” was hands down the most offensive movie I’ve ever seen. It certainly contained full-blown nudity and very offensive language and behaviour. One scene, in particular, dealt with Borat going to a church to be “saved.” But the scene was apparently was played for laughs, but I, as a Christian, found it very offensive. God will not be mocked! This is what Scripture says. It was truly saddening to see how many people laughed at this scene. There was also a very unecessary scene where Borat was nude and wrestling with a nude fat man. It was very unfunny and unecessary. The overall point I got from the movie was how stupid man’s prejudices can be, but the movie did not need to include all the nudity, profanity, and offensive material. I would sternly warn other Christian moviegoers to not lay themselves open to this kind of trash.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4
Daniel, age 24
Negative—I will usually laugh at anything and am quite open-minded, however, I found “Borat” to be very offensive. With its nude scenes, this movie would have recieved an X-rating, as recently as the 1980’s. The nude wrestling scene with the Fat man sitting on Borat’s face was disgusting. The previews gave no clue to this level of vulgarity. This was the first movie in my life where I have walked out.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 2½
Steve Sykes, age 51
Negative—This movie is absolute garbage!! I don’t usually leave during a movie, but to stay and watch this drivel would be like washing my face in a toilet.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1
David Wickett, age 54
Negative—Christians—do not support this film! This was an extremely offensive movie that I am sorry to have seen. I have been a fan of “Borat” internet clips, and I do think that Sasha Cohen, the comedian who plays Borat, is a funny and gifted person. The biggest issue I had with this film was the blatent disrespect for Christianity. At one point in the film, Borat enters a charismatic church service and goes up to the front of the church so that “Mr. Jesus” can save him. He is prayed for by the congregation, and at that point puts on a shaking act while the congregation praises God. Another blatant act of disrespect towards the church. I want my money back!
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3
Jeff, age 26
Negative—This is the most offensive movie I have ever seen. This film exhibits racism toward Jews, with one scene involving a sweet Jewish couple who are proprieters of a bed and breakfast at which Borat is staying. There are frequent references to prostitution, homosexuality, and graphic nudity. There is an extended scene involving two men wrestling that is impossible to watch. My friend and I left after about an hour, because of the crudeness of the film. Bottom line: save eight bucks; do not watch this movie.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3
JM, age 18
Negative—Honestly, I went to this movie wanting to come out laughing; all I came out with was a grievous feeling. I was upset with myself for being so foolish and seeing this movie without reading up on it in a Christian site. I should have known not to trust Hollywood’s stellar reviews. Listen carefully, DO NOT SEE THIS FILM; it is offensive and dirty and not meant for the Christian eyes. I only hope to take what the devil meant for evil and turn it to God’s good by telling you this. The film shows graphic nudity to a level that I frequently turned my eye. Let me tell you what people think is funny in this fim, the shock; it really is no different then listening to a shock jock such as Howard Stern. If you do not find Stern offensive then you might like this movie. This movie lacks wit, and is not clever at all. The humor comes from the depraved thinking of the character Borat and how at any given moment he can be perverse. The truth is, Hollywood does not know how to tell a joke nowadays without it being offensive, and that in itself is unsettling. Hopefully, you are fortunate to read this review before seeing this film and change your mind. God Bless
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1½
K. C. Mags, age 34
Negative—I am an avid movie go-er and thus have seen a great deal of questionable, inappropriate, and at times, offensive films. As for “Borat,” it’s the first time in my life I have actually walked out on a film. Crude doesn’t begin to cover the graphic and immoral nature of this movie. I found absolutely no redeeming moral value, despite a four hour long conversation searching for one. The film not only includes, but celebrates (and some say pokes fun at), nudity en masse; homosexual settings; horrible language; “potty” humor including fecal scenes; racial slurs and other forms of racism; references to incest, rape and prostitution as acceptable; and more. I cannot begin to express the severity. “Borat” not only seeks to embrace these things, but to break all previous social levels of acceptability projecting them as humorous. And that is only the first 45 minutes or so of the film. This movie is not appropriate for adults let alone children. The best I can offer is that the cinematography depicted in a documentary style was of some skill.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4
Rev. Lara, age 31
Negative—DISGUSTING!!!…
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1
Roxana, age 32
Negative—This is the first film my husband and I have ever walked out of, and had we taken the time to read up on the reviews from a Christian Web site like this one, we would never have wasted our money on a ticket. The actual concept of the film could have worked really well had the actor not gone over the top with offensive language, full frontal nudity, etc. While I understand the point being put forth in the film about highlighting the wrong stereotypes and racism present in our society, I do NOT agree that one has to wade through muck and garbage to dig for nuggets of gold. While we originally went in to see a funny movie and be entertained, we came out after 45 minutes feeling like we’d waded through a sewer. I would not recommend this to ANYONE!!!
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3
Rhonda, age 50
Negative—I am usually pretty tolerant to a little bit of language and sexual refrences… even if I see a breast flash—I wouldn’t walk out of a movie—but this movie was the worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life… I knew nothing about this movie before I saw it. My husband said he saw a preview, and it sounded hilarious. Well, needless to say—It was so bad that I wanted to leave and I didn’t… The movie started off pretty funny—there were a few parts in the first hour that were bad—offensive, sexually suggestive and a lot of swearing… I thought for sure it would get better. It didn’t—it just got worse. Their is a scene with a TON of nudity. They show mens privates in full view. I sheilded my eyes for at least 10 minutes through a scene where Borat and his sidekick were fighting over the sidekick masturbating (which they show vividly) to Borats Pamela Anderson Picture… They are both fully naked for some reason and fight naked. It is disgusting and my spirit was sickened by it—then it got worse—the “fighting” escelated to what was very homosexual in connotation… they were sitting on each others faces… naked. I mean—Anyone who saw this and thought it was excellent or even remotly funny… I don’t understand how you’re not convicted!!! You should really check your heart…

THE WORST PART OF THE MOVIE: As if the gay/masturbating/naked fighting wasn’t enough—Borat goes into an overly Pentacostal church (yes, this church made Christians look like freaking weirdos… but still-) and was asking for prayer and went forward to 'give his life to christ'… he was mocking God, christianity, every single thing sacred and holy on the planet… it was so offensive that I started to cry. I wanted to leave so bad—I am ashamed that I didn’t. Let’s just leave it with this… My husband and I plead the blood of Jesus over our minds and rebuked any evil spirits from entering our minds from watching that movie… We had to ask for forgiveness… it was so horrible… I just can’t say that enough.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1
Megan Yonak, age 26
Comments from young people
Negative—I had gone to see this with my dad, not expecting to see any of the vulgar scenes that were in this movie. I’m a Christian, but my dad isn’t, so it was especially uncomfortable to me. There were some funny parts, but the jokes were so played out, I just could not find anything funny about it. The constant rascist remarks, whether intended as a joke or not was disturbing enough, as well as the constant mention of a woman’s vagina, his sister being the best hooker, and any scene that involved nudity, homosexuality, or two naked men wrestling with each other in which there was a clear view).

I really cannot understand how many people on here are not offended by this movie. I had to walk out because I was so disturbed by it. The whole point of the movie was to mock every aspect of the American/Kalkizakistan (or w/e his country was), but it was done in such a disgusting manner. The humor was vulgar, and I really was appalled. I don’t know how anyone can approve of this movie, that disgusts me even more.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3
Anonymous, age 16
Positive—In my opinion, this film exposes a lot of double standards that exist in the world. …
My Ratings: Excellent! / 5
Chris, age 17
Negative—I’d would absolutely say to those who said “positive” to rethink their answers. It was rated 14A in Canada, so don’t think I snuck in. First of all, it was obviously NOT positive: though it was a hilarious and outragingly funny movie, it is definitely NOT Christian. Though they may show a scene of Christianity in the movie, they are not making fun of it, they are making fun of the country (President Bush) for using religion as a voting factor. Morever, it is not COMPLETELY negative, in the movie, they show a corrupt country which changes into a under developement country. Even though I may recommend this movie to my friend, I cannot say that this movie gives a postive outlook to those who will see it. May God guide you.
My Ratings: Offensive / 3
Clifford Lam (Canada), age 14
Negative—This movie was disgusting. There were some funny parts, but for the most part the movie was very offencive. I am Russian, and I have visited Kazakhstan many times; it is not really that way. This movie was rude to the nation, and its people.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 2
Jenny, age 15
Positive—I viewed “Borat” with a friend, knowing full well the amount of offensiveness. This movie is full of offensive things, racism, sexism, and other sorts of crude humor. If one can get past the offensiveness, this movie is actually funny at parts. I suggest this only to a spiritually strong person.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4½
Colton Bauman, age 16
Positive—This movie is hilarious. Sacha Baron Cohen is a comedian willing to take incredible risks for us to get a laugh. These risks bring results well worth seeing in Borat, and sure, they’re extremely offensive. Racism, sexism, lots of nudity, lots of sex jokes, but it’s all funny. Honestly, if you walk into this movie and walk out suddenly demoralized and straying away from your faith, it’s not the movie’s fault, it’s your own. Get a sense of humor. …
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 5
Ricky Martinez, age 16