'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan'

More Borat to love or from which to avert your eyes

Hanh Nguyen
Zap2It.com

March 6 2007

High five. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" created a phenomenon in theaters and therefore will probably do well on home video. Because of how the film was shot in a cinema veritae style, the disc's bonus content eschews technical items or audio commentaries and instead offers more Borat being his grotesquely charming self.

Kazakstani reporter Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his producer Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) travel to America to do like the title says and make a documentary about American customs. On the way cross-country to forcibly marry Pamela Anderson, Borat seems to offend just about everyone with his oversexed ways, anti-Semitism and childlike misunderstanding.

From the packaging to the on-screen menus, the "Borat" DVD stays completely in character by listing titles in a Kazakhstani-esque font with translations given in Borat's lightly-grasped English.

The Kazakhstan "Baywatch" spoof titled "Sexydrownwatch" and the music informercial are only mildly entertaining extras since they feel so staged. Better are the deleted scenes that range from Borat and Azamat's knack for getting pulled over by police, Borat's stint as a fast food service worker and a supermarket trip that features probably the most patient man in the world. Oh, and for those of you who didn't get enough hairy male nudity with the Borat-Azamat wrestling match, check out the "Massagings" deleted scene.

Probably the best extra is the featurette containing clips of "Borat's" global promotions tour in advance of the theatrical release. While many are already familiar with the skimpy lime green bathing suit Borat wore at Cannes, the other destinations and especially his appearance on late-night talk shows shouldn't be missed. Strangely enough, Martha Stewart shows an excellent sense of humor and play when confronted by Borat on "The Tonight Show," even ad-libbing some kinky lines while trying to make a bed.

Oh, but don't be fooled by the "Coming to Kazakhstan in 2028." That's just a section for trailers of upcoming theatrical home videos.

EXTRAS: Kazakhstan "Baywatch" spoof; five deleted scenes; "best of" additional deleted scenes compilation; rodeo news report; world promotions tour featurette; music infomercial
PRICE: $29.99