"Thundercats are GOOOO!"

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2007)

This film has been nothing less then the hype of the independent film world this year. I have heard it called "2007's Little Miss Sunshine" and seen reviews titled "Teenage Comedy with Merit, Who Knew?" Well I am a sucker for good indie buzz, so of coarse I was drawn to Juno like a June bug to a screen door on a hot summer evening. After finally seeing it after all of the buzz, it is safe to say that it lives up to every bit of the hype. I would as well rank this up there, or even better then films like Little Miss Sunshine.
The acting was fantastic, in particular the delivery of Juno MacGuff that was so eloquently portrayed by Ellen Page. I remember the first time I watched her in Hard Candy, she pulled of in my opinion the most sadistic character in independent film today and I remember saying to myself "This actress is going somewhere." Jennifer Garner was wonderful as the uptight nervous adoptee to be. Jason Bateman pulled off the jerk man-child character wonderfully. Last but not least Michael Cera was wonderful as Paulie Bleeker, the boy that accidentally got his girlfriend pregnant, not knowing exactly how to react to the situation at hand. Not to forget the rest of the wonderful cast. From Juno's wonderfully accepting dad, to her menstrual mom, to Paulie Bleeker's "hobbit mom." the full cast could not have been better.
With the indie buzz, I am also a sucker for a good film controversy. Any film that spurs up any controversy, gets my blood pumping. I always have to go and see "what the big deal is" and realize that most people are way off base and are not watching the movie as a movie. Obviously, the controversy behind this film is rooted in teen pregnancy. Controversy like this always amuses me because it seems that people would rather ignore parts of society, then face the cold hard truth. No one will dispute that teen pregnancy is a problem. However dismissing any film for any difficult content is just wrong, and completely unjustified. If you would like to believe that films about teen pregnancy, along with other social problems should not be made because they are a problem in society then go live in your happy world in ignorance. However let us enjoy this terrible, terrible world in peace. This film was nothing but beautiful, it was not about a 16 year old messing up her life, and the life of a child. No, it was about her being responsible and making the world for an unable mother. This does not glorify teen pregnancy, if anything it shows the true value of adoption and family. Also, the film was blatant to the idea that Juno would be an unfit mother.
Without spoiling this film for everyone, just know that this is a beautifully witty yet serious film. It is a refreshing work and truly unique. I say refreshing because it is a teen film, that breaks away from that stigma of stupid humor of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Instead this is a film of intellectual humor, and jokes with merit! I think we can look forward to where these young actors and actresses are going, I know I sure am excited.
I tried to keep this review short, and to the point without spoiling anything for anyone. This is a great film that I would say is for everyone. Except of coarse those uptight jaded folks that cannot handle a little taboo.
Hands down 10/10.