Yeah, a talking penis and the word "TAINT" flashing on the screen... That's about what I expected from this movie. I don't find nudity that funny or offensive at all so I'm probably not the target audience for this movie. I liked it for totally different reasons.
I love Sacha Baron Cohens absolute dedication to his characters. He doesn't bail out and break character even if he is in real danger (= a metal chair flying inches away of his head or making fun of real life dangerous people). He's rude, offensive and shameless and it's funny. And the peoples reactions are HILARIOUS. Seeing the rednecks first get confused and then angry (after seeing two men getting it on in a cage fight ring) almost made me pee my pants. And saying to a minister who (allegedly) makes gay people straight, that he's got amazing blow job lips, is so fucking hilarious to me.
When you are this kind of comedian (or a satirist) you can't be scared to go all the way and spare no-one (hence the autism joke). I actually would go as far as to compare him to Lenny Bruce. In a sense that their comedy has the same function, to shock the people to remember the issue. Both of them offended a whole lot of people but they also speak to the people in their own language, meaning they don't twist the words to confuse people (like politicians or religious people).
Baron Cohen also has a way to make horrible stereotypes actually likable and sympathetic. And they still are horrible stereotypes. That's why I think he's a perfect choice to play Freddie Mercury. People underestimate (like I always do even if I know better) his talent because of all the offensive crap he does. And I've actually decided not to hate The Dictator in advance. We'll see.
Also he made Elton John not only say but to sing the words "anal bleaching". And four out of the six guest stars he had in the song have done The Simpsons (and so has Baron Cohen) so I wasn't a bit surprised to see them there. But Harrison Fords "Fuck off!"-guest appearance was a surprise especially after reading that it was the only cameo where the celebrity was in on the joke. Weird.
If you liked Borat you'll like this movie. Simple as that. The movies have almost identical plots and the characters are similar one note-y stereotypes. And if it weren't Sacha Baron Cohen it wouldn't work.
