Awesome

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2007)

I wouldn't say that Judd Apatow is reinventing comedy but he definitely adds substance that most comedies do not have. Most comedies are bad because they do not have to be good to make money. Clichéd jokes make money. So when a comedy comes along that takes the service to actually be funny (or disservice if you are brain dead member of the general public that helped make NORBIT and WILD HOGS international hits) it is enormously refreshing. And when that movie can make a hundred million dollars in the process, well, that makes one think that maybe there is hope for this country.
Well that movie was called 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN which was able to achieve such a rare combination. And director Apatow and a chunk of the cast are back for the not-quite-as-funny-but-still-pretty-damn-good follow-up, KNOCKED UP.
KNOCKED UP has the same brilliant interaction between the main characters, highlighted by the brilliant conversation about how MUNICH was the first movie where Jews were able to kick ass and take names. Main star Ben, played by rising star Seth Rogen, claims one night at a bar that if any of them get laid to night it is "because of Eric Bana." Well unfortunately for Ben Mr. Bana's ass kicking charm worked a little too well and he ends up going home with a recently promoted E! Entertainment Channel reporter named Allsion (GREY'S ANATOMY'S Katherine Heigl). Allison finds out she is pregnant five months later and must approach Ben, whom she is increasingly disgusted with, to tell her she is, well, knocked up. He decides he wants to help any way possible. He enters her life permanently followed by romance and a possible family.
Why this film works, along with the hilarious jokes, is because it takes a very real approach to life. It doesn't rely on lazy relationship stereotypes. Ben is a jobless slacker who is trying to create a website with his buddies helping men know at what time their favorite actresses are naked in films. But where most films would show the male as a loner and slacker who slowly needs to realize that love is in front of him he just needs to grow up this film shows that Ben, though definitely a slacker and immature, likes Allison the while time. He WANTS to grow up, just doesn't know how. And where most films would have Allison begging to be with Ben and have a family, in real life most men would kill to be with a girl like Allison. So she is the one in charge of the relationship and having the issues, not Ben.
The truth is in life men can be just as eager and zealous to be with woman and this movie takes no shortcuts and shows you a world where serious situations can happen to real peopletough hilariously.
And if nothing else see the film Ben's roommate Jason claiming that he can't wait till its time to look up Felicity Huffman's nude scenes because he's had a thing for her since TRANSMERICA. Earning the most rousing, yet delayed, laughs of the movie. Highly recommend.