Here's Why Fans Think Borat 2 Feels So Different From The First
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is now out, and the general consensus from critics and audiences alike seems to be that it's "very nice!"
Fictitious Kazakhstani reporter Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) is back 14 years later, only this time, he finds himself in the midst of a pandemic. The sequel follows much of the same format as the first film: Borat goes around to different parts of the United States, interviewing unsuspecting victims into revealing a bit too much information about how American society functions. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the movie isn't actually anything in it, but how Cohen and crew kept it a secret for so long, to the point where most of the population didn't even know it existed until a month ago.
It's safe to say if you're a fan of the first film, then you'll like what Cohen has brewed up this time. As always, Borat goes a little too far at times, but therein lies the humor. He's able to exploit people's susceptibility to speaking what's really on their minds. While there's a lot the sequel shares with the first film, many fans have noted how there's also something different here — not bad, just ... different. If you've yet to see the film, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime, it's good to brace yourself for a more evolved Borat this time around.
Mild spoilers for Borat 2 ahead!
Fans have noted how Borat 2 is more focused on political satire
If there was ever a time for Borat to make a glorious return, it'd be right now. The United States is divided more than ever, and now, we're contending with a pandemic in which even wearing a mask has become politicized. The first Borat film also satirized American politics (as evidenced by his singing the Kazakhstani National Anthem at a rodeo). Fans have pointed out, however, how the satire in the sequel is more prominent. It's not as nuanced as, say, referring to the "War on Terror" as the "War of Terror," but by all accounts, most fans don't seem to mind.
In a Reddit thread where people have discussed their reactions to Borat 2, one user, Redditor u/fatherdougal, mentions, "This is quite different from the first, which was a lot more straightforward with broad comedic appeal. If you can appreciate satire in the ****show that is 2020, then you'll love this one." Reactions seem to indicate that there's a lot more humor directed toward the American political climate in the sequel. There aren't as many general comedic bits, such as walking into a fancy dinner party carrying a bag of poop. You have to be tuned into the zeitgeist, at least a little bit, in order to know what Cohen's poking fun at here.
It's not just the satire that's changed this time around. Some fans note how this film feels a bit more optimistic. While the first film centered on how awful all of his guests appeared to be, there are some rays of hope that things can get better in American society in Borat 2. Redditor u/Zidy points to one scene that exemplifies this perfectly: "Jeanise and Judith were absolute treasure. Borat literally walked into the synagogue as a caricature of Jewish stereotypes and Judith gave her nothing but love, acceptance, and the willingness to be [patient] to change his, albeit fake, misconceptions." The moment shows how "not everyone subscribes to these awful mentalities."
A lot has changed over 14 years, so it makes sense a Borat sequel would need to change its approach in some ways to get its message across. You can see for yourself whether Sacha Baron Cohen has changed his comedic sensibilities all that much by watching Borat Subsequent Moviefilm on Amazon Prime right now. It remains to be seen whether Cohen will get sued for this film, as has occurred in the past, but keep your eyes peeled for any developments as they become available in the following weeks.