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The Dictator (2012)

 -  Comedy  -  16 May 2012 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 127,138 users   Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 261 user | 292 critic | 41 from Metacritic.com

The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Rocky Citron ...
Liam Campora ...
...
Doctor
...
Patient
Rick Chambers ...
Newscaster Voiceover (voice)
Elsayed Mohamed ...
Wadiyan Olympic Official
Adeel Akhtar ...
Maroush
...
Aide on Balcony
...
Tamir
...
Virgin Guard
...
Virgin Guard (as Naz Homa)
...
Virgin Guard (as Dawn Zimniak)
...
Virgin Guard
Edit

Storyline

The Republic of Wadiya is ruled by an eccentric and oppressive leader named Hafez Aladeen. Aladeen is summoned to New York to a UN assembly to address concerns about his country's nuclear weapons program, but the trip goes awry. Written by Sam

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language and some violent images | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

|

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

16 May 2012 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El dictador  »

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$17,435,092 (USA) (18 May 2012)

Gross:

$59,617,068 (USA) (20 July 2012)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (unrated)

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The exterior scenes of the Wadiya Palace were shot at the Plaza de EspaƱa in Seville, and computer graphics were used to add the twin golden domes. See more »

Goofs

During the Gotham Helicopter tours scene, the view from the windows show that the helicopter flies over the same river about 3 times randomly between shots. See more »

Quotes

[Aladeen and Nadal are at Gotham Helicopter Tours, preparing to board the helicopter]
Nadal: Here's the plan: We're going to take this helicopter tour and fly over the Lancaster to spot its weaknesses. Remember, we're just two ordinary American tourists looking at the sights.
General Aladeen: [Wearing an American flag jogging suit and a sheriff's badge] Don't worry, nobody gonna suspect anything. It's a great plan, pointy.
Nadal: Don't do anything to arouse any suspicions.
General Aladeen: Don't worry, I am Wadiya's number one actor. You don't...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Extra scenes during the end credits, including making-of moments. See more »

Connections

References You've Got Mail (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

"9 to 5"
Written by Dolly Parton
Performed by Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez (as Michelle J. Nasser)
Produced by Peter Amato & Erran Baron Cohen
Translated by Souhail Kaspar (uncredited) & Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez (uncredited)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Not as funny as Borat, but Sacha's hilarious once again
30 May 2012 | by (Manchester, UK) – See all my reviews

Following last year's impressive performance in Martin Scorsese's critically-acclaimed Hugo (2011), British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is back doing what he does best with yet another satirical caricature to add to his ever growing list. For his latest endeavor, The Dictator (2012), Cohen has once again reunited with director Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno), in a film that benefits much from an uncharacteristically straightforward narrative.

The Dictator's narrative is a little bit more scripted than Cohen's previous efforts, which saw him interact with real people - often with hilarious results. In addition to the riches-to-rags story beat, there is also a Rom-com element to the film as Aladeen is helped along his journey of redemption by Zoey, which makes for some humorous moments.

You needn't worry about it being too scripted though; Cohen's unique brand of offensive humor is on full display from the outset as sexist, racist, and vulgar gags abound. Saddled in-between are a number of outrageous, cringe-worthy sequences that have long been Cohen's trademark. These often occur with scientist turned partner-in-crime Nadal, and the chemistry between Cohen and Mantzoukas is evident.

Admittedly, not all the jokes hit their mark - the celebrity cameos (including Megan Fox) don't have the intended impact, but the audience reaction is for the most part well-calculated. The hilarious usage of overblown music tracks such as Moment Like This is just one example of the excellent comedic timing which permeates The Dictator throughout.

If you don't take Cohen's latest role too seriously, you may likely find Admiral General Aladeen to be another fantastic character to add to Cohen's catalogue. Assuming you're not easily offended, The Dictator is laugh-out-loud comedy at its best.


24 of 40 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Couldn't get past 10 minutes - worth a second try? slaintemhath
Love it or hate it - Your most LOL moment in the movie lrregularly_irregular
How old are you and did you liked this movie? majid10
what was offensive?! Hobbitte
Liberal hipsters protesting a dictator? Uhh, what? revos05
Am I the only one to smell some weird Jewish propaganda in this movie ? ilokk
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