... But can two people with so little in common really make things work?
After seeing the trailer for "Knocked Up", I was expecting a vulgar but hilarious comedy. I suppose I should have expected "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" director Judd Apatow to buck the trend seeing as that film was funny but ... Read review
The writer and director of The 40-Year Old Virgin delivers another a hilarious hit comedy! ... more
They say that opposites attract. Well, for slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) and career girl Alison (Katherine Heigl), that's certainly the case - at least for one intoxicated evening. Two months and several pregnancy tests later, Ben and Alison go through a hysterically funny, anxious and heartwarming journey that leads to huge laughs in the most outrageous comedy of the year!
The Writer And Director Of The 40 Year-Old VirginDelivers another hilarious hit comedy! ... more
They say that opposites attract... well, for super-slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) and career-girl Alison (Katherine Heigl), that's certainly the case - at least for one intoxicated evening. Two months later and several pregnancy tests later, Ben and Alison go through a hysterically funny, anxious and heart-warming journey that leads to huge laughs in the most outrageous comedy of the year!
The writer and director of The 40-Year Old Virgin delivers another a hilarious hit comedy! ... more
They say that opposites attract. Well, for slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) and career girl Alison (Katherine Heigl), that's certainly the case - at least for one intoxicated evening. Two months and several pregnancy tests later, Ben and Alison go through a hysterically funny, anxious and heartwarming journey that leads to huge laughs in the most outrageous comedy of the year!
Knocked Up:The writer and director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin delivers another hilarious ... more
hit comedy! They say that opposites attract... well, for super-slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) and career girl Alison (Katherine Heigl), that's certainly the case - at least for one intoxicated evening. Two months and several pregnancy tests later, Ben and Alison go through a hysterically funny, anxious and heartwarming journey that leads to huge laughs in the most outrageous comedy of the year!Superbad:From the guy who brought you Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin comes Superbad. Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) want nothing more than to hook up with girls they like before heading off to college. To do that, though, they need to get alcohol for the big party that night. With the help of their friend Fogell, a.k.a. McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), and his fake I.D., the three of them go on a chase for that elusive booze, dodging incompetent cops (Knocked Up's Seth Rogen and Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader) while attempting to reverse a lifelong losing streak in one hilarious night.
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Director: Gareth Carrivick - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kathryn Drysdale, Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey, Will Mellor, Ralf Little
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: A warm, funny date movie. Disadvantages: Not the raucous comedy I was hoping for.
TV producer Alison gets a promotion and goes out drinking and dancing with her sister to celebrate. She meets Ben, a well-meaning slacker with no prospects. They end up having a drunken one-night stand. A few weeks later Alison invites Ben on another date and tells him she's pregnant. Despite his initial negative reaction they decide to make a go of things for the sake of the baby. But can two people with so little in common really make things work? ...I was expecting a vulgar but hilarious comedy. I suppose I should have expected "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" director Judd Apatow to buck the trend seeing as that film was funny but actually very sweet. The same is true of this one. It's more about the trials and tribulations of growing up, taking responsibility and how completely a baby changes the lives of its parents. The introductions to the two leads are simple montages that show Ben getting ... more
TV producer Alison gets a promotion and goes out drinking and dancing with her sister to celebrate. She meets Ben, a well-meaning slacker with no prospects. They end up having a drunken one-night stand. A few weeks later Alison invites Ben on another date and tells him she's pregnant. Despite his initial negative reaction they decide to make a go of things for the sake of the baby. But can two people with so little in common really make things work?
After seeing the trailer for "Knocked Up", I was expecting a vulgar but hilarious comedy. I suppose I should have expected "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" director Judd Apatow to buck the trend seeing as that film was funny but actually very sweet. The same is true of this one. It's more about the trials and tribulations of growing up, taking responsibility and how completely a baby changes the lives of its parents. The introductions to the two leads are simple montages that show Ben getting stoned with his mates and Alison being a responsible and productive member of society at her job as a TV producer. So it's a basic game of compare and contrast. However, there are a lot of montages, showing the pair getting drunk, rattling through the possibilities for an obstetrician and getting to know each other amongst other things. Though it is an effective tool, employed mainly to show the relationship between the pair developing, it feels a touch overused.
Apatow's visuals are pristine throughout, making the most of the Californian sunshine. His editing is sharp, hitting the gags and moving on or leaving them to hang just long enough so you can feel the embarrassment of those concerned. But, there aren't quite enough gags for my tastes, just lots of warm fuzzies. It's one of those films that's more likely to leave you with a big grin on your face rather than aching sides from laughing. Though there are some lovely moments of observational comedy, like a man on magic mushrooms becoming obsessed and then scared by a room full of chairs. One thing you can say about the film is that it is rarely predictable. The usual cycle of romantic comedy ups and downs is evident, but the downs are much harsher than in most films, making the ups feel sweeter by comparison. However, you never feel like you're guaranteed a happy ending. The movie is perhaps overlong; clocking in at a hundred-and-twenty-nine minutes. But it is a good-natured feel-good film that would make a surprisingly nice date movie.
Apatow's screenplay has the ring of truth about it in its attitude to impending parenthood. It shows all the things those cutesy "she's having a baby" romantic comedies never do. It acknowledges that pregnancy is a stressful and confusing occurrence, especially if it is unplanned and the parents-to-be don't know each other that well. Ben gives up on sex saying "All I can see is my penis poking our baby in the face!" and there are some blazing rows springing out of trivial things. Not to mention Alison feeling increasingly unattractive and the screaming agony of childbirth. There is one shot that is so overt in its gynaecological detail it will have the squeamish diving for cover and expectant mothers wincing in anticipatory pain.
The characterisation is solid throughout. Ben is the kind of man-child we've all met, who refuses to grow up and is intent on doing as little as possible for as long as possible. Alison is his complete opposite - a very grown-up, hard-working career woman, who knows exactly where she's going. They move in completely different circles. He is surrounded by other slackers and she lives with her sister and brother-in-law's family. But Ben has too many friends in a narrative sense because there is not enough for them to do. Most of them are interchangeable stoners and one exists solely so others can make beard jokes at his expense.
Most of the comedy is situational stuff, like the scenes where Pete and Debbie's kids cut straight to the chase: "Where do babies come from?" and repeating her parents "Blah, blah, blah, Ben's a prick. What is that?" or Alison's boss telling her to "tighten things up because he can't legally ask her to lose weight. There are some nicely observed bouts of rambling and ranting from Ben (including his response to Alison's big announcement from the trailer) that sound so spontaneous they could easily be improvised. In fact most of the dialogue sounds naturalistic, taking the edge of some of the soapier twists. But there is also an awful lot of swearing that may offend some.
I really like Seth Rogen - he's impressed me in every comedy bit-part I've seen him in, from "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" to "You, Me and Dupree". His background is in improv and writing (he used to work on "Da Ali G Show"), so he has superb timing. But he comes across as a really nice guy so you want him and Alison to make a real go of it. He's got the slacker persona down pat and I suspect he's smoked a lot of pot in his time, so convinces as a stoner.
You can tell Katherine Heigl is used to working with a script, as she spends most of her time reacting to the other improvisers in the cast instead of instigating anything. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it occasionally feels like she's holding back. She's picture-perfect as the physical opposite of Seth Rogen - polished, toothy and conventionally good-looking. But as the movie progresses, they develop a nice, believable chemistry.
The supporting cast shows strength in depth, with many talented comic actors cropping up in small roles. Leslie Mann is superb as Alison's hyperactive sister Debbie. She's one of those people that feels too married - constantly bickering with her partner over the tiniest of details and obsessing about possible infidelities without any proof. Paul Rudd showcases his great timing as Alison's sarcastic brother-in-law Pete. Alan Tudyk (Pirate Steve from "Dodgeball") appears as Alison's smug boss and Kristen Wiig, who turns up as his snarky assistant Jill is comedy gold with her line in razor-sharp put-downs. Meanwhile it's nice to see Harold Ramis acting again as Ben's warm, supportive father.
The incidental music continues the quirky style of the rest of the movie. It incorporates an original score by Joe Henry and new tracks by Loudon (father of Rufus) Wainwright III. Each piece of music matches the mood of the accompanying scene, whether it's hip-hop with piano breaks for Ben having fun with his friends, happy accordion flourishes for Alison's promotion or jaunty percussion and guitar for her going out to celebrate with her sister. Spanish guitars appear for emotional moments, xylophones add a playful dimension to scenes, piano and guitar motifs reflect Ben's laidback attitude and electric guitar and timpani accompany a blazing row. Wainwright has added a few new tracks that use accordion and guitar and his own vocals that are warm and friendly. But when added to the other soundtrack choices such as Lily Allen's "Smile", Britney Spears' "Toxic" and "Rock Lobster" that accompanies drunken sex, the music doesn't mesh as a coherent body of work.
"Knocked Up" will disappoint if you're hoping for full-on gross-out comedy. But if you're looking for a warm and heartfelt film with a dash of vulgarity, this one definitely fits the bill. It has funny likeable characters, a sharp script and a strong feeling of authenticity about the emotions surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. But above all it is a very sweet movie that will warm the cockles of your heart (assuming you're not made of stone) and would make a great date flick, as long as your partner isn't easily offended by swearing. And the cutesy kids in it are absolutely hilarious, vindicating writer-director Apatow's decision to cast his own daughters.
Advantages: Some laughs, but certainly not hilarious Disadvantages: Dull
...this type of film and Knocked up does not buck that trend. The one thing that kept me watching however were some amusing moments with the slacker guys, and also the dialogue between dad-to-be Ben and the older sisters husband, especially when they go to Vegas and decide to do mushrooms then go and watch Cirque Du Soleil. Seeing them tripping whilst watching the already freakishly strange show is pretty funny, but mainly because the portrayal of whats ... ...more so than back at the Vegas hotel and the chair scene.
Both lead women are typically neurotic, both skinny, pretty blondes but there was nothing I can recall said by either that raised a laugh. The story progresses, younger Alison gets back in touch with Ben, they decide to stick together for the sake of the baby, babys born, end of film.
I'd give it 4/10 and say it was OK. Guys will probably like the portrayal of the slackers (especially their ...
wellybooty 02.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Knocked Up (DVD)
Advantages: Funny in places, quite touching towards the end Disadvantages: Some gags were crude, went on a bit long
Knocked Up:
This film has been billed as "THE comedy of the year". I love the comedy genre so that pretty much determined the fact that I had to see this film. I didn't get a chance to see it at the cinema, or on the aeroplane to Mauritius so good old Amazon DVD rentals once again came in handy for me and finally my partner and I sat down to watch this tonight. And lets just say we were both plesasantly surprised with what we saw!
Knocked Up tells ... ...weeks later, Allison is indeed Knocked Up with Ben's baby. The rest of the film tells us about Allison's pregnancy and the complicated relationship between Ben and Allison, and also her sister Debbie and husband Pete.
Although this film is said to be a hugely funny comedy, I didn't think that it was as funny as I thought that it would be. There are several films I have found a lot funnier than this, but maybe because a lot of the "jokes" in this ...
mummy2harry 01.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Knocked Up (DVD)
Advantages: Funny, endearing Disadvantages: Drags a little towards the end
Ben Stone and Alison Scott are an unlikely couple, and, after a one night stand, it looks like they never will be a couple. Until Alison finds out she's pregnant and Ben is the father. Forced to get in touch with Ben because of this, she slowly begins to find out what a nice guy he is and they decide to become a couple, much to the horror of Alison's sister, Debbie. Unfortunately, Ben has no job, no reliable source of income, and likes more than ... ...interviewer of the stars. Are their differences too great? Or can they put them aside for the sake of the baby? I was more than a little surprised when I received this DVD from my rental service - I couldn't remember ordering it, and I couldn't really imagine enjoying it - having split with my partner last year, I didn't really want to watch a film about somebody else having a baby. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Most of all, I was surprised ...
sunmeilan 26.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Knocked Up (DVD)
Advantages: Funny , Great Characters , Different Disadvantages: Couldn't Watch It Again
...actually to go and see Knocked Up in the cinema when it was released in 2007, however I did not get round to it , and therefore waited for it to come out on DVD. I wanted to see Knocked Up because I had heard so many good reviews about it , and had even read somewhere that it was THE film of 2007 , and this is what made me look for the DVD on play.com. I was delighted when I saw that this DVD was selling for £3.99 ; an excellent bargain I thought ... ...to watch this film.
Knocked up is a 2007 comedy film , directed by Judd Apatow. Running time of the movie is 133 minutes (Just over two hours). The film stars Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen as the main characters. Knocked Up is not suitable for viewers under the age of fifteen.
Alison is living a dream . She's beautiful , has a job every girl dreams of and wears her head on her shoulders. However , when receiving a promotion , Alison decides to ...
xdonzx 15.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Knocked Up (DVD)
Advantages: Some very funny scenes, endearing story, Katherine Heigl is gorgeous. Disadvantages: Over use of the 'F' word
****Story line****
During a night out Ben (Seth Rogen) a rude, crude, obnoxious and lazy immigrant manages to befriend Alison (Katherine Heigl) a high flying and career minded woman who is celebrating a recent promotion. The alcohol flows and the pair gets raunchy on the dance floor before sharing a taxi home. After a lustful night and breakfast they go their separate ways on under the impression their paths will never cross again.
Things seldom ... ...the pair are re-united to plan how best to deal with the outcome of their drunken fumble.
Despite being a modern day and career-minded woman Alison is traditional and believes that children should be raised by both parents and in a loving environment. With only himself to look out for, Ben is immature and does what he wants when he wants, however, he does take full responsibility for his actions and promises to be there for his child even if it ...
yackers1 13.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Knocked Up (DVD)
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Advantages: Great to have these two masterpieces together in one set Disadvantages: Box art isn't great
Possibly the two funniest films to have appeared on our shelves this year have been neatly placed side by side in this hilarious boxset. The two most successful to date titles from Judd Apatow. Knockedup features the beautiful Katherine Heigl and the not so beautiful, but hilarious, Seth Rogan and friends as they discover the ups and downs of surprise pregnancies. This is followed by the equally hilarious Superbad, that was dreamt up whilst Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg were teenagers and finally came to fruition, starring many of the same actors. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are great team and of course the incredibly smooth McLovin, helps to steal the show with his great phrases and whimpering. What a guy! This boxset is a must have since they are both together. Both DVDs contain extra features and it's well worth the cash. ...
Advantages: Lot's of laugh out loud moments. Memorable characters. MCLOVIN!! Disadvantages: Fairly standard teen movie storyline
Seth and Evan, two best mates are desperate to hook up with some girls they like before heading off to college. With the help of Fogell (McLovin), they attempt to acquire some booze for a party later that night.
Set over 24 hours, the movie is an hilarious 'American Pie' style movie. The young cast are brilliant and the movie has plenty of laugh out loud moments, many of which are given from the ultimate geek 'McLovin'. While the storyline is your average run of the mill sex obsest affair, you can't argue that it doesn't mirror teenage life. If you liked 'Road Trip', 'American Pie', 'KnockedUp', '40-Year-Old-Virgin' then in my opinion you will love Superbad.
The DVD features are better than your average, with the 'Gag-Reel' and 'Cop Car Confessions' in particular giving good laughs.
***** -Total Film
***** - GQ ...
reviewing_beast 28.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Superbad (DVD)
Advantages: Funny, Great film Disadvantages: Few Bonus features
A Brilliant movie, if you haven'y seen it already, you're missing out! The film follows a story about three nerds seekng for some female attention, to do this they try to attend a party with booze, difficult as they are underage... They make a fake I.D which is where McLovin comes in, the boy who spends his time as a rebel, different to his normal self. Pretty ridiculous for a fake name? This is the best of its kind and actually made me laugh, which is rare. The makers have also made: 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' , 'KnockedUp' , 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' . These are also some reccomended movies. The value is good seing as the DVD is fairly recent and packed with few bonus features. One of my favourite comedies and most reccomended to film lovers between the ages of 12-40. Don't hesitate to buy it, JUST DO IT! ...
Two mismatched people are brought together by a one-night-stand that results in an accidental pregnancy. After being promoted to an on-camera role at E! Television, Alison goes out to celebrate with her older sister, Debbie. Not long into the evening Debbie is called home to her kids, leaving Alison in the eager company of charming slacker Ben. Brushing him off politely as a one-time affair, Alison goes on with her life, until two months later she realises that the unthinkable has happened.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures UK Video Rental, UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON)
Deleted, extended, and alternate scenes, Making the roller coaster scene - featurette, 'Directing the Director' with Judd Apatow, Gag reel, Line-o-rama, Topless scene, Loudon Wainwright III performing at McCabe's, Commentary with Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and Bill Hader
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Professional reviews
Review
KNOCKED UP may be the sharpest, most up-to-date commentary on current pop culture not involving Jon Stewart or Comedy Central....A blast of fresh air (Entertainment Weekly, 21/11/2007)
Hot, hip and hilarious in ways you have to see to believe, KNOCKED UP is the comedy of the summer and maybe the year (Rolling Stone, 21/11/2007)
DVD Description
Katherine Heigl (GREY'S ANATOMY) and Seth Rogan star in this hilarious and touching comedy as two mismatched people brought together by a one-night-stand that results in an accidental pregnancy. Using many of the same actors from his previous film, THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, and his cult television series' UNDECLARED and FREAKS AND GEEKS, director Judd Apatow once again finds fresh humour in relationships and sex. Young, bright, and talented, Alison (Heigl) has everything going for her. After being promoted to an on-camera role at E! Television, Alison goes out to celebrate with her older sister, Debbie (Leslie Mann). Not long into the evening Debbie is called home to her kids, leaving Alison in the eager company of charming slacker Ben (Rogen). In the dark of the nightclub and in the ensuing drunk hours, Ben seems like a great guy. But in the sober light of day, Alison quickly discovers the man in her bed is nothing more than an overgrown child with no job, no money, and the social habits of a teenager. Brushing him off politely as a one-time affair, Alison goes on with her life, until two months later she realises that the unthinkable has happened. Apatow establishes the differences between his protagonists early in the film, bringing their contrasting worlds to life with stellar performances by secondary characters. Paul Rudd has never been better in his role as Alison's bitter brother-in-law, whose somewhat dysfunctional marriage to Alison's feisty but insecure sister unfolds in parallel to Alison and Ben's story. Meanwhile, Ben's home resembles a frat house, and his friends (Jay Baruchel, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, and Martin Starr), while hilarious, are hardly role models. KNOCKED UP will have audiences cracking up from start to finish, and it also deals with some serious issues about commitment, life choices, and becoming an adult. The film asks universal questions in a sweet and touching way, achieving a sad humour that distinguishes it from other films of its genre.
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