Ali G Indahouse

By GRAHAM REID

Wickid! An' maximum respeck! Some have said da headman from de West Staines Massive posse couldn't take the length. Of a movie. (And he ain't no batty boy so he wouldn't take de length anyway, yeah?)

But dis 'ilarious story of Ali G who try'n save 'is local John Nike Leisure Centre - and end up in de Parliament, among udder places - prove dem wrong. Right?

It's almost a given that television programmes or cameos don't translate to the big screen - give it up Kevin and Perry (aka Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke) - but from the East LA opening sequence to Ali's off-screen chat as the credits roll, this is the most consistently laugh-out-loud and grossly offensive movie out of Britain since ...

Because Ali G (Sacha Cohen) has established himself as a rounded, if shallow, television character, he can walk through various worlds, deal with them ironically or in his typically confused way, and come out the other side just as happy with punani, da 'erb and me Julie.

And that isn't code, it's de way of de world in Staines where de Anglo Indian-white boy wannabe-black gangstas square off over turf, which is the jungle gym in the local playground.

To recap the story here doesn't convey the heretical humour, sight gags (read the posters in the leisure-centre scenes, for example) and the irony. This is far more English than Austin Powers (it won't play well Stateside - too sly at times, and too gross) and far more funny than could be expected.

Maybe it's the company I keep, but at the end we all just wanted to see it again, and then the sequel.

At a time when wannabe censors will shut out filmfest movies, it's a relief that this astonishingly rude, mashed and hugely unsubtle flick can fly right past our moral guardians and find an audience deserving of it.

It ain't art. But it's very funny, innit? Don't miss it, but be sure to cut out your Seriousness Gland at de door. Maximum respeck.

Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Kellie Bright, Michael Gambon, Charles Dance

Director: Mark Mylord

Running time: 87m

Rating: R16 (offensive language, drug use, sexual content)

Screening: Rialto, Village, Hoyts, Berkeley cinemas, from Thursday