No one was asking for an Ali G revival. It seems a portion of the press and Internet condemned it before giving it a chance. Even this writer was sceptical. But Sacha Baron Cohen doesn’t make many missteps and usually lands an idea despite everyone else’s instincts.

The original Ali G movie was a rare letdown. It removed the formula which made the TV show so successful. Borat was the main beneficiary. When his movie was made, the format of the show was built upon, not abandoned.

Ali G: Who Iz I? is a halfway house. It remembers its roots, and throughly exposes people who don’t realise Ali G is a character, but adds a movie style narrative.

The biggest gamble is how the movie breaks the Fourth Wall. It nods to the audience that Ali G is just a character, played by an actor. It even cuts to a backstage off-camera moment ahead of an astonishing sequence. It does this to reassure the audience, that what is about to come, isn’t real. But the people in the scene, believe it is. Ali G’s long absence (the character became too mainstream to continue operating as an exposé artist) serves as a blessing.

The movie has received flack for being crass and obscene. It is. People distracted by this element are ignoring the absurdity the non-actors in the movie go along with. Which reveals the true satire and message at play.

It’s Jackass for morality. And Sacha Baron Cohen reveals people on the Left and Right side of politics are often morally bankrupt in equal measure.

Unexpected laughs appeared while watching, along with genuine amazement and shock.

8/10