Just as good as 40 Yr Old Virgin

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2007)

Remember the movie "The 40 Year Old Virgin"? Well, they've remade it and called it Knocked Up. Well, not completely - there's a totally new story. But the same writer, director, and half the cast are back (no Steve Carrell, alas). And this movie has everything that the other one had: outrageously raunchy comedy, guys being disgusting, and truly touching moments. This is a very good thing.
I loved the 40 Year Old Virgin; it's one of my favorite movies. I did not think Judd Apatow could strike gold twice, but he has. Knocked Up once again delivers on every level. If anything, the plot and sensitive moments have even gotten stronger. The comedy certainly hasn't let up - I haven't laughed that hard in quite a while. In fact, I missed a lot of the dialogue because everyone was laughing so hard for so long.
Katherine Heigl (Gray's Anatomy) stars as Alison, a very pretty girl with a successful TV job at the E! channel. Seth Rogen plays Ben, reprising his likable lug character from 40 yr old, and if anything he's a little more of a slob and loser. But he's still very witty and honest, which is what makes his character so likable. The two meet up at a bar where they are both drunk, and they end up having a one night stand. Of course, she ends up pregnant, and decides to keep the baby just to spite her mom. So they try to make a relationship work together.
Now, from here the movie could get very predictable, but it doesn't. Sure, we know where it's eventually headed, but it sure doesn't get there the normal way. The two would-be parents fight almost nonstop, as their personalities are very different. But there's a realism to their fights that hits home. The audience is left thinking, "this sounds like two actual people arguing, not a scripted fight." Their frustrations come out, and the typical differences between men and women's thoughts are showcased. Just when their fights are getting really bitter, just when we've had enough, just when it seems to be heading in the direction of "The Break Up" (a supposed comedy that was just really uncomfortable and bitter fighting), the mood is broken up by more outstanding comedy.
One sidestory involves Alison's sister and brother-in-law. Paul Rudd from 40 Yr Old plays the husband, and he and Ben instantly bond over their manly feelings. The wife is played by the actress who was the drunk that puked on Steve Carrell in 40 Yr Old. She plays a very angry, controlling, and insecure lady who ends up alienating her husband with her attitude. It is interesting to watch Alison and Ben spend time with the other family, who have 2 kids of their own already. Every little problem or argument that the family has is painfully apparent to the new couple, and they fear that their own relationship will be headed in this direction.
There are many great scenes in this movie that really help it relate to the audience. In one scene, a major earthquake strikes in the middle of the night. In the aftermath, Alison realizes that when it was an emergency, Ben was not there to help her. Can she really rely on him, or is he doomed to be a slacker forever? Upon sifting through their scattered things, she realizes some other truths about him. In another couple scenes, Ben is having a conversation with his dad (the great Ivan Reitman of Ghostbusters fame), asking for advice. His dad is kind and honest, and says nice things that any dad would, but he does not and cannot seem to really give his son any advice. It becomes clear that his dad really is just an older and more mature version of himself: he's a likable guy and has good intentions, but isn't necessarily wise and doesn't really know what to do either.
If you took out all the over-the-top jokes and raunch in this film, it would stand alone quite well as its own sweet romantic comedy. But of course the jokes are awesome, and fans of Farrelly Brothers-type humor will not be disappointed. This movie has something for everyone, and unless you're easily offended by a dirty joke, should have most people rolling in the aisles. This is exactly the kind of movie I love, and I highly recommend it. If there's anything wrong with it, I didn't notice.