When filmmakers take a stand about issues that matter, who can remain unmoved?
Director Akiva Schaffer certainly doesn’t flinch from social activism as he delivers raunchy laughs and a deft message in support of Paranoid Awareness Month.
A spokesman asked me not to link the Paranoid Awareness website because I might be one of ‘them.’
Also, he requested this article refer to the paranoid by their preferred name: Permanently Alert Individuals or P.A.I. (Pronounced ‘PIE.’)
PAI are on the watch 24/7 for signs and activities of the Illuminati, the New World Order, the Federal Reserve, the hidden forces behind 9/11, a film version of The Jersey Shore, and—of course—alien invaders.
PAI’s must then alert an uncaring, dull, witless society that the enemy is everywhere, disaster approaches at light speed, and PAIs knew all about it first, but noooooo, you were too busy to listen.
Is it really paranoia if it’s true?
Do irrational fear, anxiety and delusion improve sexual performance?
Scribes Jared Stern, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg address these questions as they assign the task of ferreting out hidden extraterrestrials to four regular guys.
Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoade have formed a Neighborhood Watch group just for a guy’s night out.
On patrol one evening the quartet stumbles upon evidence of an outer space invasion. Not only are aliens among us, but they look exactly like humans. To save the world, our heroes must unmask the hidden foe and stop Earth’s destruction in the face of derision and disbelief.
(PAI members who screened the film wept openly when the characters were laughed at, underscoring the wounding they endure daily at the hands of ignorant know-nothings.)
And while it may be premature to mention this, rumors place the film on the short list for the 2012 WAYR Award. Standing for ‘Who Are You Really?’ this prestigious trophy is given annually by the PAI community to the motion picture that best captures the reality of living with secret knowledge and public indifference.
Previous awards have gone to Invaders From Mars, The Matrix, and Troll 2.
There were no production credits. In keeping with the film’s theme, every job title was followed by “Pay attention before it’s too late! Do you think this is funny?!!”
Two and a half stars for addressing a vital issue that strikes deep.
