Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G Returns, Sparking Mixed Reviews and Controversy

Sacha Baron Cohen's iconic character Ali G has returned to the screen with the mockumentary "Ali G: Who Iz I?", released in cinemas on Friday. The film, which chronicles Ali G's life since "the world went to c**p" as he prepares for fatherhood, has generated a polarized reception, evidenced by a 50 percent "rotten" critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reviews have been divided. The Times awarded the film four stars, with critic Ed Potton noting that while the plot is "flimsy" and not all gags land, those that do are "hilarious." The Daily Beast and The Hollywood Reporter also offered "fresh" ratings, praising Cohen's improvisational skills and the film's ability to elicit genuine laughs, with The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck stating that "much of the material is offensive, that’s really the point."

However, other critics were less impressed. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw gave the film two stars, suggesting that those who disliked Ali G previously will dislike this iteration more, and that any suspicions of racism will be "emboldened." Empire and The Telegraph also awarded two stars, with Empire's Helen O’Hara feeling that much of the film "feel[s] like they’re treading water" and "not always punching up." Time Out and The Financial Times offered three-star reviews, with the latter noting Cohen seemed "weirdly jumpy" and spoke of "humanist harmony."

Controversy and Cohen's Defense

The film's release has been accompanied by calls for a boycott, with accusations that Ali G perpetuates racial stereotypes. Sacha Baron Cohen has acknowledged the backlash, revealing that his life has been threatened. He has also stated that the very reason he resurrected the "outdated and problematic" character is because he believes it is time to address and expose lingering prejudices.

Cohen expressed concern over growing political polarization and the normalization of extreme views, arguing that the prejudices his characters expose have been amplified by social media and artificial intelligence. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained his motivation: "Because I'm terrified of where our society is headed, and the way I can comment on that is through my comedy." He aims to "show the extremism on both sides of the political spectrum and the danger of virtuous violence."

Cohen further elaborated in a Time magazine piece, writing that the prejudices Ali G is designed to expose have "metastasised" and are fueled by social media and AI. He claimed that in the current climate, "ignorance reigns and truth is inverted."

Campaign to Ban and Industry Response

NewsCord, a UK news comparison platform, launched a campaign urging cinemas worldwide to refuse to screen "Ali G: Who Iz I?" The group has contacted major cinema chains, citing historical criticism of the character, including a 1998 Guardian report quoting Black British comedians who found Ali G to be an "alibi for racism."

Phil Clapp, head of the UK Cinema Association, told Variety that cinemas are meant to entertain a wide audience and are not censors. He stated that decisions to screen a film with a BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) certificate are based on the "likely response of their audience."

Despite reports that the UK cinema chain Picturehouse would not be screening the film, Variety clarified that an email response from the company was a standard reply to queries about films not yet on their schedule, with no final decision made.

Ali G's Resurfacing

Sacha Baron Cohen first teased Ali G's return with a surprise appearance at Wimbledon in July. The character, originally introduced in 1998 on Channel 4's "The 11 O'Clock Show," later fronted "Da Ali G Show" and the 2002 film "Ali G Indahouse." Cohen had announced Ali G's retirement in 2007, but the character reappeared in 2012 to accept an award and in a 2014 TV special, "Ali G Rezurection."

The final scene of "Ali G: Who Iz I?" is a continuous shot filmed across 12 locations, featuring gunfire, a medical procedure, drones, and explosions, reflecting the intense nature of its production. Cohen noted the difficulty of making such films, stating they are necessary in a world of conspiracies and lies spread by social media and AI, emphasizing that "to make people laugh is therapy."