Pregnant Applause

This afternoon, I went to see the new movie Knocked Up, from Judd Apatow, brilliant mind behind the television series Freaks and Geeks. (In fact, it features much of the cast from that series.) It's not up to that short-lived show's level of brilliance, but it's still a good movie.

The major strength of it is in the writing, as those familiar with Apatow's work might expect. The dialogue is very entertaining, and very realistic. The jokes are funny without the punch lines feeling like something that was labored on for hours by a writer. The charming moments are charming while not being sugar-coated in the pre-processed gooey sort of "you had me at hello" crap.

The acting then takes that good foundation and builds on it. From the major roles to the minor characters, everyone is really excellent. Paul Rudd comes very near stealing the movie in his supporting role, but both the leads are solid too. And a couple of people that appear in only one scene each deliver some of the best moments of the films -- one guy an "unknown" playing a bouncer at a night club, and the other Ryan Seacrest in a great cameo.

I wouldn't say the movie ever reaches a height of "I can't breathe from laughing so hard" hilarity that makes a grade A comedy in my book, but it really is a good movie on top of keeping the chuckles coming steadily. I rate it a B+.