Do We Really Need Another Pregnancy Out of Wedlock Movie?
Written: Jun 04 '07
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd; Comedy, Drama, Romance. Not a chick flick.
Cons: Some parts are draggy; needs editing. Where's the wedding?
The Bottom Line: Unless if you haven't seen a knocked up situation film before, maybe watch the matinee. Seriously, you're not missing much. Go rent "40-Year Old Virgin" instead.
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| garethusa's Full Review: Knocked Up |
Knocked Up is not really a bad movie but it's been done before. It may be hip with stoner friends and close to a lot of updated real life situations with young people who barely know each other or who barely know themselves and end up with a possible baby in the future.
Comedy can sometimes help make such situations very light and easy to digest. But we all know that in real life it doesn't end like a Hollywood movie or is as easy to deal with.
With a good match of leading actors to get audience buy-in, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie but can't really explain or understand why this film is getting A to B+ critic reviews. It's amazing that when we have trashy humor, heavy drug use, and people having unprotected sex, critics praise film; but when we are given much better ideas and imaginative, wholesome movies, they suck.
It's the same with these high budget summer blockbusters that are mindless that the American consumer eats up like candy but a much more meaningful film that is poetic or even life affirming can be well, left to sink at the box office quickly and straight to DVD.
Anyway, Knocked Up is neither a summer blockbuster or a ultra art house film but one that does well in showing another pregnancy out of wedlock type of movie that can turn into a light romance with a bit of realness that can almost leave you satisfied.
*****
Allison lives with her sister and brother-in-law who have two little girls. Allison works at E! TV and is on her way to becoming a major anchor for the network. She is young, vivacious, beautiful, and basically has it all - and now her big break at having her own show!
So she and her sister go out one night to celebrate her promotion to more coverage for the network and that is when she meets Ben. A French-Canadian who doesn't pay taxes, smokes way too much weed, and despite being a bit on the chunky side (man breasts, and an interesting semi-nude scene in bed that can make any guy with some baby fat on his bones a laughing stock), he embodies male cuteness.
Ben and Allison get it on so well that she takes him home and in the heat of spring fling or just simply alcohol induced horniness, sex happens without a condom.
And eight weeks later, morning sickness peaks its ugly head and you get the beginning of the conflict that the movie tries to resolve.
*****
For some reason I prefered the antics in "There's Something About Mary" and "The 40-Year Old Virgin", but there is something a little missing here for me. Not sure if I needed more comedy or if I need less stoner friends.
Allison's sister and brother-in-law were perfect in aiding to the story but I am not too sure if Ben's friend's balance it out or make it annoying.
In the end, the movie does have a happy Hollywood ending and somehow that just didn't work for me as it felt more of a quick end to a 'been there, seen that' movie.
*****
You'll see a lot of the cast from "The 40-Year Old Virgin" in this film.
Katherine Heigl does a great job in her role and I love that her character drives a VW Jetta. She brings some great comedic timing and yet also is able to juggle easily the romantic touches needed in addition to some drama-lite. I think we get to see another side of this actress from what she provides us as Izzie on Grey's Anatomy.
Seth Rogen could be my next male role model. He has a flair to be your typical male and yet expose these 'soft, emotional' sides to what a typical male doesn't not let you see. It is nice for men to still be men and yet be able to reveal that nurturing, caring side.
Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd were perfectly cast as a troubled husband and wife team who are challenged by communication and the need to rekindle their interest in one another.
Recommended:
No
Movie Mood: Funny Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Ending
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Epinions.com ID:
garethusa
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Washington, DC USA
Reviews written: 83
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
Meeting planner; enjoy yoga, jogging, writing, music, cats, travel and cooking/eating :-)
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