Apatow comedy comes roaring back to new heights

Rating: 9/10 (23 April 2008)

How is it possible that one man could be behind so many of the decade's best comedies? It seemed like Judd Apatow hit his peak with 2005's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," a film that sky- rocketed both his and actor Steve Carrell's career. But the successes did not come without failures. While last year's "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" continued to redefine comedy, there was also "Walk Hard" and "Drillbit Taylor," films that led audiences to believe he was getting stale.
But fear not, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" not only eliminates that trend, it might very well have established an era of comedy in movie history with Judd Apatow as the reigning emperor.
"Sarah Marshall" is hysterical, gutsy, clever, sweet and real. It hits on all the things that make Apatow comedy successful while conquering new comedic territory. While it's easiest to give Apatow all the credit, however, Jason Segel deserves his encore. The "How I Met Your Mother" star has a terrifically written script that is powdered and pampered by Apatow's connections (the ability to put Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill in as small, very funny parts).
What Segel has tapped into about comedy through his writing is that there is no reason to be afraid of what is real. What's real is what is funny and then when you throw in some ridiculous twists through strange or unusually funny characters, you have a great, easily likable comedy. While previous Apatow films push in that direction, "Sarah Marshall" seems to hit it the most directly, especially in a film where the plot is essentially about a guy getting over a girl.
In addition to a terrific script, "Sarah Marshall" has a wealth of unique, humorous characters and young, sure to bloom after this film, talent. While lead actresses Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis have a solid amount of credits, the exposure from this film might very well shape their careers in the future. Bottom line, there is so much talent and humor here that when you try and recall all the best characters with the best lines, you find yourself forgetting some.
While Judd Apatow will most likely find a share of failures, the amount of great comedies will continue to emerge and the money will likely keep rolling in. Only horrendous reviews could stop someone from going to see something with his name attached to it. This film forecasts a great 2008 for Apatow Productions or at the very least making a profit on "Step Brothers" and "Pineapple Express"