Fast-Paised review: 'Knocked Up'

Spend the night with this comedy. You won't regret it in the morning.

By Matt Pais

May 31, 2007

E! employee Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) celebrates a promotion by going out, sleeping with unemployed Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and getting pregnant. This means the two actually have to figure out if they like each other and want to do the baby thing together. The movie is written and directed by Judd Apatow ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin") and co-stars Apatow's usual suspects (Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Martin Starr).

Big question: Can "Knocked Up" equal the hilarity and emotional sincerity of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"?

Catch it: Not a great movie but a good comedy, "Knocked Up" is filled with laugh-out-loud lines delivered by an entertaining cast that's obviously having a ball. Unfortunately, Ben and Allison's budding relationship doesn't convince, the movie is way too long at 129 minutes, and for every five hysterical jokes there's a poorly judged quip (often regarding race or disability) that's just plain mean.

Skip it: If you think taking multiple pregnancy tests will eventually give you the answer you want. Twelfth time's the charm!

Bottom line: While the "Virgin" characters were wonderfully diverse and endearing, all the guys in the new flick have the same oblivious personality. While Rogen's no Steve Carell, he's perfect for "Knocked Up": Both the star and the movie are flabby, immature and almost always funny.

Bonus: "Knocked Up" offers helpful birth control advice: If women are on top during sex, they can't get pregnant! Apparently.

Matt Pais is the metromix movies producer.

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'Knocked Up'

Written and directed by Judd Apatow; photographed by Eric Edwards; edited by Craig Alpert and Brent White; music by Loudon Wainwright III and Joe Henry; production design by Jefferson Sage; produced by Apatow, Shauna Robertson and Clayton Townsend. A Universal Pictures release; opens Friday. Running time: 2:09. MPAA rating: R (for sexual content, drug use and language).

Ben Stone - Seth Rogen

Alison Scott - Katherine Heigl

Pete - Paul Rudd

Debbie - Leslie Mann