One can only imagine how "Knocked Up" was conceived.
I think that director Judd Apatow and Co. figured that Universal would come knocking for a sequel to the critical and box office success known as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." Apatow probably saw this a mile away and definitely agreed with the film's fans: no sequel was necessary.
But what if there was a sequel to "Virgin." A guy who just finally lost his virginity at age 40 would be a nice 'fish out of water' as a middle-aged parent. Then, it was built upon and changed to a coming-of-age tale similar to "Virgin."
Only raunchier and, in some ways, greater than its parental predecessor.
Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is an ambitious career woman, working as a producer on E! Entertainment Television. She gets a big promotion and goes out to a club with her sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) to celebrate.
Enter Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), a slacker who enjoys sophomoric activities with his fellow stoner friends. Ben attends the same club and meets Allison. One thing leads to another--like most stories of this nature do--as they both consume too many adult beverages and end up at Allison's place, which is really the basement of Debbie and husband Pete's (Paul Rudd) house. Eight weeks later, Allison gives Ben a call with the monkey in Ben's wrench: she's pregnant. They both give a serious relationship a try for the sake of the baby and each other, despite Allison's reservations since she sees the dreary lives of Debbie and Pete.
What Apatow has done here is do something that was thought to never be possible: top himself. I remember watching some of the highly-praised yet short-lived series he created called "Freaks & Geeks" for NBC and thinking that this guy has some comedic flair. Then, after the tremendously sweet and funny "Virgin," nothing would have convinced me that anything would be better or more significant to the American motion picture comedy that that. And yet, Apatow manages to only add to it. He delivers something so dirty and naughty with a sincerely sweet story (I had one single, solitary tear roll down my cheek towards the end) that it is incomprehensible to not include "Knocked Up" with some of the greatest comedies in American film. It is also the single best film this year, and will likely remain on my top ten list at the end of the year.
"Knocked Up" is very much more filthy than "Virgin" with some great, hilarious moments that do top the former. Rogen again shows that no matter what, he can turn something funny into hilarious; he and Apatow seem to be from the same embryo. Heigl also gets to show some surprising comedic flair and timing.
Rudd is another Apatow alumnus who deserves to be put with Rogen and Apatow in the Comedy Hall of Fame, among the likes of Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Bill Murray, Jim Carrey and Abbott & Costello. Rudd has an exceptionally funny seen with Rogen as Ben and Pete have driven to Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil--hopped up on mushrooms. There's the set-up and the aftermath in their hotel room is the great payoff.
Even Ryan Seacrest has a memorable comedy moment as he lamblasts the one guy he knows best: himself. Also, more Apatow pals populate Ben's crew, with "Freaks" cast member Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel and Martin Starr of "Undeclared," and Jonah Hill (he was the guy wanted to buy the goldfish platform boots from Catherine Keener in "Virgin), who doesn't get enough to do here since being the highlight of the so-so "Accepted" but will get the lead in August's hilarious-looking "Superbad." And god bless Apatow for the genius casting of Harold Ramis as Ben's father.
And remember the fun and funny end credits of "Virgin"? Apatow matches that hilarity with poignant ones here.
Judd Apatow, with his improvisational crew in tow, continues to give birth to new comedy, giving evolution of the genre a leap forward. "Knocked Up" is the twin brother to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
We can only hope that triplets (or higher) are in the mix
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"Knocked Up is an absolute winner. It's funny as hell, but never lets the raunchy humor get away from the clever and heartwarming story." ByJulian Roman
"If you're not laughing then you may as well just have yourself committed right now." ByAaron Steven
""Knocked Up" is 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." ByTimothy M. Bruderek
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