Ali G is one of those comedy characters that you'll either have a taste for or not, and for those who don't this movie will not change your mind. "Indahouse" basically extends the back history of the character whilst including a plot about him being used as the pawn of a minister (Charles Dance deliciously playing a scheming bad guy) planning to takeover the role of the Prime Minister.
The fact that they've got Michael Gambon as the PM, one of the UK's great actors in a role which is basically there to be the butt of many jokes (literally) is a testament to Ali G's popularity. Cohen never once lets up playing his character, and while he's very over the top he still proves a likable onscreen guy whose not as abrasive as he can be on the small screen. Watch out also for Rhona Mitra (THE Lara Croft) as Dance's sexy aide.
The humour is of the gross out "American Pie" style but thankfully without the saccharine sentimental drama subplots, and a somewhat ruder and cruder sense to it that's a little darker and more daring thanks to its English origins. Whether it be Ali checking out if the queen shaves her pubes, too an admittedly hilarious sequence where guests at an African consulate party groan in horror as Gambon and an African leader describe how they got through a tough meeting (the guests mistakenly believe the PM had just given the leader a good rogering), when the gags click they work well. Some of them don't go as well planned as they should, other moments in there seem a little muddled, but overall the 'hit rate' of gags that work is better than what many would expect for the material which is so sex-obsessed it can get annoying.
Indeed the story, whilst setting up some great gag scenes, is rather bare bones and predictable which is a shame. The inclusion of the political arena allows for some varied locations but aren't used to the extent they could be. Many of the smaller supporting non-political characters are pretty much uninteresting and forgettable, whilst Ali's dialogue can get frustrating. There's a definite sense of sexism and homophobia in some of the gags, though they're offset by some moments (eg. two dope-high African ministers smooch) which feel awkwardly put in there to counter-balance and not upset minority groups. Even at only 88 minutes, the plot feels very drawn out. Fans will like it, and whilst there's some good laughs its still one just for fans.
