Sausage Party is a brilliant study of blind faith, the sexual boundaries that creates and the petty differences that divide our society. You will leave the theater a different person.
I know what you’re thinking…is he full of s***?
Of course I am. Do you really think I’m that pretentious?
But this film is hilarious. While Sausage Party’s message is too heavy handed to take seriously, it makes up for that shortcoming with a dedication to make you laugh at any cost.
In this crazy animated world, all the foods at a supermarket yearn to be taken by the “gods” aka humans to the “Great Beyond.” However, Frank the Sausage (Seth Rogen) soon discovers that all is not what it seems. Those foods are taken to their deaths! Sausage Party’s strength is its completely bonkers story. And choosing animation is smart: The filmmakers can literally do whatever they want and they do so with glee.
First there is the look of the film. Sausage Party is on par with Pixar or Disney computer animation. The bright colors and whimsical setting add to the chaos. How could such a fun setting brutally slaughter potty mouthed fruits and vegetables?
The filmmakers don’t hold back with the characters either. There is a character that is literally a douche. It sounds silly, but works in a fun way. Broad racial stereotypes are used often, but are so over the top that it’s very hard to be offended by them. And the sexual innuendo is everywhere. When your two leads are a sausage and a sausage bun, it’s hard to avoid it in a comedy co-written by Seth Rogen. The novelty of a sausage dropping f-bombs does lose some of its power after the first fifty times though.
I have seen a few reviews say that Sausage Party’s story is too obvious. Yes, we get it…blindly believing something is unwise. While this is laid on thick, I think it oddly works. Remember those stereotypes mentioned earlier? Well there is method to that madness.
Comedy can make a statement. The stereotypes and on-the-nose arguments over blind faith can be easily dismissed because the are blatantly obvious. But this is an animated film. It apes several kids movies that had obvious messages. But think back to those kids movies…you remember that message right? Sausage Party plants a seed in your head. It’s no Animal Farm, but it might start an interesting conversation.
That said, Sausage Party does drag in the middle. And the biggest sin of all is that it’s not funny at that point. The film’s conclusion makes up for the lull, taking a completely unexpected and hilariously bats**t crazy turn. I couldn’t spoil that ending…it defies explanation.
All of the voice cast is quite good. Seth Rogen (Who definitely sounds like a sausage), Salma Hayek, Bill Hader, Nick Kroll, and even Edward Norton are the standouts. Norton especially stands out because you will not recognize his voice at all. Usually, a big name actor in a voice over role can be useless, but Norton seems to completely relish his role here as a bagel. Hmm…that is a line I never thought I would write.
There are some exceptions. Benny, the little deformed sausage that idolizes Frank is played by Michael Cera doing his best Elijah Wood impression. When you watch the movie, you will think that it’s Wood voicing the character. Kristen Wiig does have a few good lines, but much of her comedy relies on her expressive face and physical humor. It’s odd not seeing her.
Sausage Party attempts to be deeper than it should be, but it’s true strength lies in its raunchiness and willingness to push boundaries. And Rogen and the filmmakers should be applauded for trying something different.
Score: 7 out of 10