| Product: |
Knocked Up (DVD) |
| Date: |
02.09.07 (118 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Ok if you have nothing better to do. A few laughs just manage to keep film going.
Disadvantages: Dull
I starting watching this film knowing nothing about it, other than it had received good reviews. Within minutes it was clear that the film is one categorised in my least favourite movie genre; Romantic Comedy (the very words make me shudder). As a 30-something woman, married with kids, and a somewhat ‘lively’ background, I feel the I would be slap-bang within the target market that the film was aimed at, but for me, this type of sycophantic, slushy dross sets me aside from the majority of the female population - I am a chick that quite simply can not stand chick flicks.
To be fair, If the film had been that dreadful, then I would have stopped watching it, so in its favour, I can at least say that as far as romantic comedy’s go, it is watchable. I assume that the reason it has achieved such good reviews is the fact that it appeals not just to their main target audience of women, but to their poor long suffering partners who have been dragged along / forced into watching it.
The story sets of jauntility enough and switches between two sisters and a small group of typically boorish, childish guys with that pervasive Frat-house type of humour so prevelant in US films. They bum around, smoke dope, act like tits and that’s pretty much that.
The two sisters on the other hand are totally different. The eldest happily (at first it would seem) married with kids, a perfect house etc and the younger an attractive corporate go-getter getting her first on-screen TV break.
Cue a meeting between the younger sister, Alison and slacker guy, Ben. They meet in a club, get drunk, go back to her house and to have a one-night stand. They wake up in the morning, and Alison thinks ‘eugh! What have I done?’ gets rid of him as soon as she can, then inevitably given the title of the film, finds out she’s pregnant.
Sentimental banality is usually the order of the day in 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 it like to be on mushrooms is so accurate; no 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 hilarious idea for a new website, which they find has already been done anyway) and find something to laugh at, while most women I assume will be drawn into the inane twin suppositions that ‘all men are such bastards!’ and ‘I can train him and improve him!’ aspects of the film.
If you like Romantic Comedys, then I would guess you will really like this, if you don’t you should find it just about bearable to watch with your wife/girlfriend or a satisfactory way to while away a couple of hours on a long-haul flight.
Summary: If you lilke romantic comedys then you'll love this, if not like me, you'll find it just bearable
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