Knocked Up DVD: Review By timbruderek

'Knocked Up' has become a comedic classic for nice guy stoners, stunning yet unlucky blondes, and everyone in between. The DVD release of this hysterical winner by director Judd Apatow was much anticipated, and it did not disappoint.

In the film, Seth Rogan takes a starring role as Ben Stone, a pothead who is in no hurry to grow up, and who's wasting his life away literally and figuratively. He is the de facto leader of misfit group of directionless stoners who spend the majority of their time smoking pot and developing a celebrity porn website. He meets Allison Scott (played by 'Grey's Anatomy's' Katherine Heigl), a knockout blonde who is completely immersed in her budding career.

The unlikely duo meet at a bar one night, and after one too many drinks, end up sleeping together and accidentally making a baby. The two are complete and utter opposites, with not one thing in common save their reluctance to be tied down. Both are forced to grasp the fact that it's time for them to grow up and realize that perhaps their lives won't be exactly as they expected.

The film provides an inside look at the world of dysfunctional relationships, both with the interaction between Ben and Allison, and the failing marriage of Allison's sister Debbie (played by the hilarious Leslie Mann, Apatow's wife) and her disconnected husband Pete (the always entertaining Paul Rudd). Both help us understand the goods and bads, ins and outs of starting a family, having children (both planned and unplanned), settling down, and giving up what you once held most sacred.

'Knocked Up' is one of the funniest films of the last few years, yet has a great dramatic storyline and is able to evoke an array of emotions. It's a comedy that appeals to both sexes, which is not always an easy task. And through it's unflinching humor and unexpected feeling, it will make you realize that sometimes life takes a different path than you had originally planned.

Special Features are in abundance here. I opted out of the hefty price of the 2-disc version and settled on the single-disc, as I was mainly just looking to own the movie. But even this version has tons of great extras that carry on the off-beat humor and wittiness of the actors from the movie itself. The disc is full of behind-the-scenes doc*mentaries that follow these misfit actors around the set, hilarious deleted and alternate scenes, and a fantastically funny gag reel, just to name a few. Great extras for the price!

The movie is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen format, 1:85:1. That's all you to enjoy this simple comedy!

The disc presents the film in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Sounds great even though I don't have a surround sound system in my living room!

The "Unrated and Unprotected" edition has a great photo of a stunned Seth Rogan on the cover, which is a cardboard slipcase, featuring a shiny, linticular look, over the actual DVD case itself.

Although I did not see the full Special Edition, I would opt for the cheaper version - you'll still get the classic movie along with all of the extras you'll need to keep you laughing!