It may occasionally shock a laugh from you, but between those moments your face will be a rictus of horror.
The Ali G and Borat creator shows little of his anarchic brilliance in this tame comedy, which is just kept from flatlining by moments of high-impact grossout.
The film could easily have seemed patronising - instead, it combines gleeful comic set-pieces with action sequences worthy of Jason Bourne.
Grimsby is knowingly nonsensical, while the action is fast-paced enough to distract you from the fact that this is essentially a base-level comedy featuring one of Baron Cohen’s most forgettable comedic characters.
For all its shock tactics, some involving animals, Grimsby is a so-so addition to the Cohen canon whose daring doesn’t extend to writing its female characters a single funny line.
At least Grimsby is mercifully brief.
Sacha Baron Cohen struggles with a northern accent and everything else in this unimaginative comedy.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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