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Created Mar 11, 2008 11:35AM PST • Edited Mar 11, 2008 11:35AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   This is arguably the funniest movie released in 2007. Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, and the combine team effort of Jay Baruchel, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, and Martin Starr. Written and Directed by Judd Apatow. Knocked Up is a quite vulgar romantic comedy but it is a comedy with a lot of heart, and when you leave this movie you’ll find yourself remembering and laughing at all of the one-liners and quotables; you will also leave knowing full well that every actor put a lot of passion into the project. This film is a perfect comedy.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   Everybody in this movie shines. Seth Rogen proves he has what it takes to be a leading comedy man, Katherine Heigl steps up to the comedy plate and sends it home, Paul Rudd does his usual thing but knocks it out of the park as well, Leslie Mann is hilarious as always, and the entire cast of Rogen’s friends (all using their real life first names) are vulgar and hilarious every minute they are onscreen. Look for cameos from Harols Ramis and Joanna Kerns as well.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

   Seth Rogen moved from bit part player (small role in Anchorman, to the 40 Year Old Virgin, to this) in a short span of years. He has fantastic comedic chops and an improvisational style that suits very well and provides a multitude of one liners. Paul Rudd’s knack for comedy has suited him well in the years past, yet he brings “A” game to this film the entire time. These two work well off each other, such as they did in “The 40 Year Old Virgin” two years ago. Suffice it to say that these two deserve to do more movies together, as they bring a level of comic genius to the film every time.

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

   Katherine Heigl really drives home a performance that should be her calling card for years to come. From the first frame she is a wonder to behold, and she elevates the movie with class, understanding, and some surprising comic timing that blends very well with Seth Rogen’s to provide some interesting chemistry. Leslie Mann (Apatow’s real life wife) does very well as well, making the performance as Rudd’s wife and as Heigl’s sister really shine in its own light. What would normally be an annoying supporting character becomes electric on screen…she made me laugh every time she spoke. Her rant to the bouncer at the club is a work of genius.

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

   There are not a lot of female costars in this movie to speak of (such is often the case with films like this, I suppose) but there are a number of small roles worth mentioning. Martin’s girlfriend, Jodi (played by Charlyn Yi) is hilarious with her few times on screen, stealing the scenes from more experienced players. Also of note would be Apatow’s real children playing the children of Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. This was perfect casting, as the children had established relationships with the cast already and it made for natural performances.

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

   Rogen’s entire group of friends make up a terrific supporting male cast. Jay Baruchel as the supportive and caring Jay, Jason Segel as the supposed “ladies man” with a crush on Leslie Mann, Jason, Jonah Hill playing the portly and most vular one, Jonah, and Martin Starr growing a beard as Martin. Also of note would be the doctor played by Ken Jeong, who steals his few scenes easily.

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    This is the kind of comedy that I wish everybody was out there making. The wrting and directing is more than top notch, the acting is superb from all angles, the movie is well cast, the music is fitting and/or awkward depending on the scene, the cinematography is well done, the coloring schemes work well…this is ,simply put, a well done comedy.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

    Judd Apatow knows how to direct, he knows where to put a camera and where to see the comedy happen., which most people think is all that is required for directing a comedy; point and shoot. Apatow knows how create a scene, how to make you feel like you’re experiencing it, rovide emotion and depth, and make the scene still funny. Directing comedy is not easy because comic timing is a difficult thing to shoot. Mr. Apatow directs Knocked up with everything listed above and then some.

12. Play Perfect 5.0

    There is a lot of improvising going on in this movie, as evidenced by the length of the gag reel and “line o rama” features on the DVD. That is all on the part of the actors bringing their own ideas and experiences into the writing, which is a crisp and clever script written by Judd Apatow (who also directed, obviously). The dialogue is unique and clever, funny and fresh, witty and vulgar all at the same time. The writing feels like it was written in the real world, and that is why is feels so unique and realistic.

13. Music Really Great 4.5

    The music in this movies serves the movie very well, depending on the scene and what it requires. there is a scene early on during a sexual encounter that is perceived as being very awkward…the song “Rock Lobster” is playing, whch many may think to be a funny choice but in reality serves to set the mood for what is going on. The movie is full of “zany” choices like that, accentuating the scene by playing something unexpected but fulfilling at the same time. The song at the end credits is a very touching song and a great closer to the film as well.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5

    This s not the kind of movie that is full of visuals and special effects, but it does contain a unique pallet of color and visual panache. The all too brief visual of the crowning is something to behold, as is the “shroom trip” featuring the Cirque de Soleil. Altogether a great movie to look at, but nothing spectacular or too grand.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Horrid 3.6

    This is a hugely vulgar movie, featuring a lot of curse words of various varieties, a group of chacrters developing a nude clebrity website, nudity and sexual scenes, drug usage, and a couple of scenes that tend to play more for the gross-out gag. that said, it all fits the movie and to tone it down would be to take valuable laughter from the movie. Still, this is not a comedy for everyone and definitely not one for children.

17. Sex Lewd 4.3

    There are breat shots on more than one occasion. Once again the language becomes an issue in that there are references to both the male and female anatomy that many would believe to be lewd. The only actual sex being seen in the movie really isn’t terribly vulgar, but the themes behind it and afterward play into why it is a volatile, yet pivotal, scene.

18. Violence Fierce 1.9

    There is precious little violence in this movie, save for the language and remarks made by the characters (especially Rogen adn his friends) in the film.

19. Rudeness Nasty 4.5

    like stated above, this features lots of profane language including multiple uses of the four letter variety and many themes that would not be for younger ears. There is alcohol and drug use throughout the movie as well, which may or may not be for some people.

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.1

    This is a movie based in the real world about as much as a movie can be while still being a comedy in this subgenre. the characters are well drawn and fully fleshed, the world around them is based in reality, and the circumstances of the film are grounded in truth. The only real complaint would be little minor quibbles, like Seth rogen and Katherin Heigl being together (Her being absolutely gorgeous and he being kind of a loser/schlub) but that is the ways of the world, sometimes things happen that way. This is a movie for the average looking guy who still wants to try and get the hot girl (word of advice, the lesson is not to get her drunk and pregnant).

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.3

23. Biological Glib 1.9

24. Physical Surreal 2.1