Double Review: Knocked Up (2007) + Superbad (2007)

I was fortunate enough to see both of this summer's new Judd Apatow comedies in the same week. Considering how much I enjoyed his former work, 40-year Old Virgin, I was very excited at the promise of this double feature.

First on my docket, Knocked Up features Alison (Grey's Anatomy's very talented Katharine Heigl) as a career woman unintentionally impregnated by the slackalicious, porn website-running Ben (Seth Rogen). The story follows their forced, but sweet attempts at romance and preparations for their newfound responsibility. Alison questions Ben's commitment when he fails to read the baby books or protect her from a minor earthquake (he forgot she was sleeping over that night!). This is one of the most realistic comedies in years, tackling the unpopular subject matter with impressive dedication to balancing rompish humor with down-to-earth sentimentality. You get the sense that somewhere, these people actually exist and you may even know a couple of them. Although every Paul Rudd scene is pure hilarity, some of the jokes fell flat and the plot dragged on toward the end (the film is a meaty 2 hr 15). But all said and done, Knocked Up always had its heart (and head) in the right place.

Superbad continues this streak of people you might know in events you may remember. This time, Apatow goes all the way back to the last days of senior year where Seth and Evan, buddies from before the womb, are worried about college and their chances of getting laid before high school runs its course and they are faced with the unpleasant idea of having no experience for college - when girls might actually sleep with them! This may sound just like the typical teenage movie fodder you have earnestly avoided in the past, but don't stop reading just yet! Superbad has all of the heart of the best of the genre (i.e. The Breakfast Club), a million times more humor, and none of the cheese or contrivances.

The movie is filled with dirty, adult references humor and a lot of sexual humor, the vast majority of which was cracking up the whole theatre ... I guess penis jokes work for everyone.

Some of the scenes are outlandish: one underage nerd (McLovin) is confronted by cops when he attempts to buy alcohol, but proceeds to ride around with them drinking and shooting at things. Although I enjoyed seeing a twist on the standard 'cops are grim-faced bullies' theme, and McLovin certainly McPleases (even if you never see the movie, you will soon know who McLovin is), this was just too much. In fact, the whole section is removed from the plot and tends to drag.

However, when it counts, Superbad recalls a few situations you (or, more likely, someone you know) encountered in your glory days - and treats them with an appreciable honesty and elevated wit.

Apatow has proved that he knows how to take realistic characters and events and transform them into comedic gold; the former is more likely to please a broader crowd, but Superbad is just superfunny.

Knocked Up: ***
Superbad: *** 1/2