Adopted

Adopted is not only a movie spoofing the recent celebrity fad, but it also proves that Pauly Shore can take a super serious topic like adoption in another country and turn it into a hilarious adventure. The film tells the story of how Pauly Shore travels to Africa to adopt a child that he has wanted for a long time. While trying to accomplish what he thinks is a simple goal, is actually more trouble than he had bargained for. And here comes a ninety minute doc-mockumentary about it.

Adopted is very similar to Pauly's 2004 mockumentary Pauly Shore is Dead where the actor himself fakes his own death, and becomes the genius that died before his time. The film takes on the role of being serious, when it's really one big joke on the audience and the people around Pauly in the film. It could almost be compared to Bruno where the lead character is just minding his own business, acting normal, and the people around him notice he has a screw loose.

Pauly Shore, like I said, doesn't have too much luck trying to adopt a kid. He looks into adopting an African youth named Odwa, who is just like a younger, hyper version of Pauly Shore. They seem to like each other, but Pauly's goal is to meet as many kids as he can before making a final decision. He meets two other children in the mix as well before coming to a consensus.

There is not a whole lot to say about this film, which is why mockumentaries make short reviews. There isn't a whole lot of plot, or important things to mention even when the film was good. You can clearly see Pauly is trying to win back old fans by acting like his crazy self. The flaw with that his he's in his early forties. He's running out of gas much like Tom Green. Not to say he's not still funny, he just doesn't compare to the nineties Pauly everyone knows and loves.

Adopted isn't perfect, but it's nice just to see a classic actor back doing his thing - making people (like me) laugh.

Directed by and Starring: Pauly Shore.

"The events in this film are entirely fictitious…" and if you didn't figure that out before the end credits rolled, irony is clearly not your thing. You're awesome. Good job.

Since he introduced the The Weasel in the 80s, Pauly Shore's brand of comedy has been childish and unsophisticated; make no mistake, Adopted is no exception. But for the first time in his career, his objective seems to be sincere. Pauly draws attention to some heavy subject matter, while poking fun at the ridiculousness of celebrity, and pointing out the general lack of knowledge and superior attitude that too many people have towards adoption in Africa. I wouldn't go so far as to say Pauly is all grown-up – the fourteen-year old part of me will mourn the day that he does – but he has definitely found an interesting way to reconnect with his now all-grown-up audience.

Not unlike the crude, satirical style of Sacha Baron Cohen, Pauly Shore's sense of humor can be… tricky, but the message is that you CAN be aware and be sensitive and find a way to laugh all at the same time. And after all these years, he still makes me laugh.

Worst movie. Most black exploitation of young children. So horrible.

As a person who works in the movie industry, I watch a variety of films on a regular basis. I consider it a labor of love and enjoy seeing films and documentaries of all backgrounds and genres because you never know when you'll find something amazing. However I have never felt so embarrassed for myself and the state of our culture (not to mention American citizens) when I watched this piece of insulting, tasteless, and desperate piece of intelligence-draining garbage. Not only was it completely saturated in racism, lame jokes, and humorless jabs at stereotypical Africa, but it seemed like a desperate attempt for Pauly Shore to reconnect with an audience that he lost about 15 years ago. I'm sure he's broke and needs some cash, but it shouldn't be at the expense of one of the poorest and most humble regions on earth. They simply don't have the money to sue Pauly Shore for exploiting and ridiculing these people and their culture. It's disgusting to me that we're living in a day and age where people will actually fund projects like this to be made, and in turn, they make money. Even though I firmly believe in the right to Freedom of Speech, it's trash like this that makes me wonder if people have any moral compass, respect, or compassion for other cultures anymore.

Fortunately, in my industry, I was able to view this film for free because it's part of my job. However, I hope those of you reading this review will keep in mind that there is an entire continent and race of people (not to mention numerous children) that certainly were not compensated nearly enough for the amount of damage and injustice this film does to them or will continue to do over the course of time. When you purchase this film, download it, or pay to rent it, you are reinforcing the studios and producers that support these kinds of wasted efforts. Your money is always the vote that counts, wherever and however you spend it. Don't let these people get rich for exploiting an undeserving, culturally rich and amazing continent that doesn't have the financial means or global posture to defend itself.

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It's rather unfortunate to see that some people choose to have a racist, bigoted sense of humor and actually have the nerve to call this trash "ironic." The level of ignorance in the world completely astounds me, especially considering that you'd think we would have evolved as a human race since the Civil Rights movement. Satire or mockumentary, real or not -- Pauly Shore's jokes in this movie aren't funny, they're seriously offensive (even to a caucasian person such as myself). If you find yourself laughing at them, I highly recommend you see a therapist as soon as possible and try to get help, because your lack of intelligence is a threat to civilization around you.

first let me admit - i've always liked pauly shore. when i saw this movie i grabbed it because he seemed to have become another comedian lost to the horizon.

"adopted" is very engaging and i found myself actually liking the character he plays, even though the character is totally unfit to be a father. he places himself into bizarre but extremely humorous situations. all the while never realizing he's making a fool of himself. the child actors are perfect in their roles and i adored their self-assurance with this weird man looking to adopt.

made as a reality/mockumentary the film is finely edited and pauly shore should have received a great deal more publicity for this movie.

you'll enjoy it!