KNOCKED UP

by Amanda Perez

MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, drug use and language.
Suggested Ages: 17+
Released in Theaters: June 1, 2007
Reel Rating: 4 out of 4 Reels

Judd Apaptow has saved the comedy genre once again with his personalized touch -- strong character development, childishly clever humor, and cast loyalty. Knocked Up gives water to the comedic drought of the movies.

Knocked Up tells the story of how a one-night-stand becomes a lifetime commitment. Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) meet at a Los Angeles night club. Their drunken stupor leads to condom-less sex and ta-duh, eight weeks later, Alison is pregnant. She decides to keep the baby and give a relationship with Ben a shot.

Their worlds are completely different. Alison is a career driven entertainment journalist for the E! network. She lives with he sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Debbie’s husband Pete (Paul Rudd). Her days are spent interviewing celebrities. This leaves a convenient opportunity for many star cameos. Watch for the Ryan Seacrest rant early on in the film. He finally let’s out all of that repressed anger behind the grin of American Idol.

Ben is jobless and lives off of a settlement check that’s about to run out. His world is surrounded by his equally debaucherous friends, played by fellow members of the Judd Apatow career center. In roles that were almost literally written for them are Jason (Jason Segel who was in Apatow’s Undeclared and Freaks and Geeks), Martin (Martin Starr, also in Freaks and Geeks), Jonah (Jonah Hill, from Apatow’s The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Superbad) and Jay (Jay Baruchel, also in Undeclared). Their days are spent smoking pot and developing their Web site “Flesh of the Stars” -- an internet encyclopedia of nude movie scenes.

With all of these aspects working against him, Rogen is able to convey attractive features to his obscenely unattractive character. In the vain of Kevin James, Rogen continues to bring a humorous wit to his roles that creates an unconventionally attractive quality. Rogen can successfully carry a scene solo, but with Rudd by his side, the screen bursts with hilarity. The give and take between Rudd and Rogen plays perfectly throughout the entire movie. Could this foreshadow a future Apatow buddy comedy? :::::fingers crossed:::::

THE WRAP-UP Every character in Knocked Up plays a key factor in the movie’s humor. Each role was perfectly cast down to the smallest part. Charlene Yi, who plays Martin’s stoner girlfriend, is spread thoughout the film for a total of maybe five minutes. Her few lines are delivered with such a natural sense of humor and timing that I actually missed her when she left the scene.

There’s not a humorless moment in the entire film, whether it's from the characters taking shots at each other, the situation, or the expressions and mannerisms from the talented actors. Apatow’s attention to detail shines through Knocked Up, making it one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in a long time.

SCORE: 4 out of 4 Reels

Amanda Perez is a freelance journalist from Orange County, California. Email her at aperez949@hotmail.com.

JANE'S REEL RATING SYSTEM:

One Reel – Pathetic. Even the Force can't save it.
Two Reels – Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Read my other reviews HERE.