MovieChat Forums > Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2014) Discussion > This film makes me despair for the human...

This film makes me despair for the human race

posted 8 years ago by svenrufus
17 replies | jump to latest

Not. One. Single. Laugh

Not one. In fact by the end of the film I started to feel quite ill/uncomfortable as I forced myself to see it through to the end. Just to see if it managed to maintain the heights/depths of dreadful dreadful level of 'humour'. I just wanted it to end, it seemed to go for ever!

I'm not a fan of AP to start with to be fair, but I thought it was worth watching as a 'cultural' reference point if nothing else, and besides, it had a rating of almost 8 (for what that's worth!). Massive error of judgement. How did this get such a high rating? I really do despair of what passes for entertainment for some people.

To put this into some context, I watched Paul Blart Mall Cop shortly before this, and it was so much better, even though still pretty dreadful. That's how bad it is. (It was a bad day of films for me, neither of these are my usual fair.)

I don't like to just join a board to slate something, but I'm just so staggered by how bad this is.

[–] DonBeech 8 years ago

Ever think it's you that's the problem?

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

Nope.

[–] town_terrier 8 years ago

"I'm not a fan of AP to start with to be fair"

Then. You. Won't. Like. It.

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

Then. You. Won't. Like. It.

Why? 'Not a fan' is not the same as 'I'm a hater'. I come with no baggage. Open minded, the way to approach any film. This, however, was beyond anything I could have imagined.

[–] psdhart 8 years ago

I come with no baggage. Open minded, the way to approach any film. This, however, was beyond anything I could have imagined.

same for me
did you also watch it on bbc?

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

On iPlayer a few days later. Makes me question my licence fee

[–] theveneficus 8 years ago

How about you take that stick out you ass and realise this movie isn't for you. Just because you didn't like it doesn't make it a bad film. In fact I (and the majority) agree that its a very good film. Its funny and clever. Clearly you're not!

[–] DarthLex77 8 years ago

👏

[–] wayneoo2 8 years ago

Jesus H fúcking christ, you're an enigma.

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

Thanks! ... i think...? Is this a good thing?

[–] solmaquina 8 years ago

I guess you're just superior to the many people who actually find Alan Partridge funny and enjoyed the film.

I had a quick look at your ratings to try and get my head around what comedies you do like and whilst I saw that you gave 1 or 2 out of 10 to classics such as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Evil Dead II, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, I only found a vote higher than a 7 for the incredibly mediocre, nonsensical, unfunny, unashamed rip-off of the wonderful Last Night, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Obviously, it's all just opinion, but people in glass houses and all that.

http://twitter.com/solmaquina

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

Interesting. Not meaning to sound superior, sorry if it came across that way.

I've just had a look at my own ratings and filtered/ranked them for my best comedies. Apart from the fact that a good many of the top listed were not what I thought of as comedies as such (or at all in some cases), the ones that came top for me include Withnail and I, In Bruges, Wallace and Gromit, Brassed Off, The Infidel, Pride, Ghost World, Paranorman, pretty much anything by Pixar... No point being made, just for info.

The way I give ratings is not just about how 'good' a film is, it's as much about the way it made me feel which could include anything from 'a good evening with mates' to 'triggered a personal memory' and points between. For sure, I didn't like South Park or Austin Powers, because they didn't hit the spot for me comedically, not my taste. However, they didn't cause me to feel quite so wretched as AP did. Nor does other AP stuff I've seen on TV make me feel that way. I commented on this film not because I didn't find it funny, but because it made me feel absolutely awful, sordid even - not a reaction I typically get from films I don't like.

As you say though, it's just opinion, and different strokes etc. But it's not a 'glass houses' kind of comment.

[–] solmaquina 8 years ago

Why did it provoke that reaction in you? Because Alan is such an unlikeable person?

http://twitter.com/solmaquina

[–] svenrufus 8 years ago

It's a good question, and I'm not sure I've got a clear answer to that. It's not just about AP, he is what he is, and as I say, I don't react to him like that normally, even if I don't find him funny.

There are some scenes that come to mind which don't really add up to a pattern that seems to deserve my reaction, but for whatever reason, the moment he lost his trousers, the whole pizza scene, and the time on the bus (although oddly not the escape!) stick in my mind. But really it was more about the whole tone and mood of the film (and possibly of me to an extent).

[–] kcanham 8 years ago

I loved the series with a passion, but this was totally lacking in every department, i really don't think i cracked a smile during the painful entirity...absolute tripe.

[–] shauncoop 7 years ago

I read your message mentally in a miserable, monotone Scandinavian accent.

[–] svenrufus 7 years ago

HaHa! I'm from Essex, mate. Broad estuary English if you will. Sometimes mistaken for Australian if that helps.