KNOCKED UP: WILL KNOCK YOU OUT
Judd Apatow can do no wrong in the comedy world. He can blend humor with everyday life to perfection. He has had a critically acclaimed television show (Freaks and Geeks) that was ahead of its time. He has tackled a 40 year old virgin. He has now taken on the one night stand that produces unexpected results. These results are pure hilarity with a little bit of awwww. It is by far the funniest and best movie of the year.
Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl of Grey’s Anatomy) works for the E! Channel. She gets promoted to on air reporter. To celebrate, she goes to a club with her sister, Debbie (Leslie Mann). Alison meets and has a one night stand with slacker Ben (Seth Rogen). Eight weeks later she comes to the realization that she is pregnant. She tells Ben and they decide to give parenthood a shot together.
The movie has humor to in spades with witty dialogue around every corner. Some of the best parts of the movie come from the banter between Ben and his friends. Alison’s niece (Maude Apatow) gives one of the best speeches in the film with her explanation of where babies come from. But Apatow doesn’t forget his female audience either. And he doesn’t get sappy. Heigl is great as the hot girl that Ben is lucky enough to hook up with. She doesn’t let her looks get in the way of being a normal girl who just wants support from her one night stand turned father of her child. Rogen (The 40 Year Old Virgin) proves once again that he can play the slacker flawlessly.
The supporting cast is just as vital if not more. Ben’s friends are the definition of Peter Pan Syndrome. Debbie (Leslie Mann) and her husband Pete (Paul Rudd) show Ben and Alison what they could be in the future. Even Ryan Seacrest has a cameo that will make you crack up. And even though Apatow focuses mainly on the story (as he should), he doesn’t forget to bring the background to support the humor and sweetness. Such as Ben’s promise to Alison in the form of an empty box. And don’t miss the five chairs in the hotel room where Pete and Ben stay when they go to Las Vegas.
An uncredited actress has the needless task of playing one of Alison’s coworkers at E!. The first time we see her, her disdain for Alison is evident and somewhat funny. But by the second time we see her she has become an annoying fixture that needs to be moved out of the picture.
Knocked Up begs for repeated viewings. It is so funny you will be crying or falling out of your seat from laughter. Judd Apatow has a loyal group of actors that know how to bring his hilarious scripts to life. Hopefully he will keep them coming.
Report Card:
Story-A
Acting-A
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-A
Enjoyability Grade–A
Overall Grade-A
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