I've been wanting to catch this movie for a long time. Ever since I've heard about it showing in the States and it's from the people that brought us 40 Year Old Virgin, I eagerly awaited it's release here in the Philippines. I think the DVD is already out in the States but at long last, the movie finally hit our shores. I haven't even seen a single trailer of it, ever. With nothing else to watch at the theatres, me and my better half decided to go ahead and watch the damn thing at the most overpriced movie house in town, Greenhills Promenade. It was worth it though! Even though my rationale in watching movies is always "It's gotta have mind-blowing effects for me to fork over near 200 bucks to watch it", Junnis and I had a really good time watching the flick, and in the end, I think that's all you can ask for. In fact, this whole review was made just cause' she told me to make one, but hey, I'm a sweet guy so here goes nothing!

the wRong:

Running Time
At 129 minutes, it's not your average length romantic comedy. Although a very minor gripe, I felt the movie was a tad long and some scenes could've been shortened like the scene where Seth Rogen berates Paul Rudd for being a selfish husband. Some of you probably won't even notice the over-2 hour running time, but still, I had to find something to put in this section! haha


the Right:

Relatability
C'mon, everyone whose in a relationship or ever have been in one will relate to this movie. You don't even have to be 'knocked up' or knocked someone up to see yourself in these characters. For the dudes, everyone can understand Seth Rogen's slacking and celebrity skin watching, or Paul Rudd's longing for 'space' and male camaraderie. While you chicks will totally understand Katherine Heigl's hormonal fits and desire for her man to take things seriously. The more you're able to identify with these characters the more you'll laugh and enjoy the movie.

Cast
I don't know anything about the lead male, Seth Rogen and I don't watch Grey's Anatomy to see why Katherine Heigl won that Emmy (she did right?), but after seeing the movie, I can say they are two bright young stars in Hollywood. Seth plays a nice 'everyman' that all of us dudes can relate to. Katherine also does an excellent job as the career-driven woman who’s life is turned upside down after an ill-advised one night stand. She’s beautiful by the way, so plus points for that! Seth and Katherine definitely oozed chemistry on screen whether when they are fighting or sweet with one another. Married couples can probably relate to more to Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd's characters, one always trying to be a tad possessive while the other always in search for freedom that eludes him now that he has a ring around his finger and two children. Paul and Seth's bonding is also relatable for guys with girlfriends whose boyfriends get along.

Extras
Since Katherine works for E! there were a ton of special bit parts by actors playing themselves and it was a hoot in itself. James Franco and Steve Carrell practically steal the small scenes they’re in, while other’s like Ryan Seacrest and that dude from SNL also add a few chuckles. Not a big thing really, but it’s a nice touch.



the veRdict:

Sometimes you just need a movie like this to put a smile on your face. After all the summer blockbusters, fantasy flicks, and the upcoming horror movies, it's nice to find a simple movie everyone can relate to. You don't even have to be in the same situation to relate to the squabbles and hormone-induced quarrels Rogen and Heigl experience here. I think part of why we like movies is how we see ourselves in the characters and are able to connect with them. That's why each situation here is so funny and made the movie so enjoyable. Definitely catch this flick at the theaters or in DVD with your significant other for a sure-fire good time. I still think 'The Simpsons Movie' is the funniest movie of the year, but 'Knocked Up' comes in a close second.

ACTUAL RATING:

This is bar-none the funniest movie of the year.... (and as Homer would say)... so far! After 18 long years the Simpsons movie has finally arrived. Needless to say, its longevity and humor has never ceased to amuse. I've been watching the show inconsistently over the years, but I've always been a fan and tune in when it's on TV. This movie is so long overdue... I can't believe South Park got a movie before this! Proceed with caution.... that's a SPOILER WARNING for those who haven't seen the flick! Without further adieu, here's my veRdict:

the wRong
No Couch Gag!
I've always wondered how they'd do it in the movie... the opening showed the daily lives of Sprinfield-ians like the show... then it got cut short and... Green Day appeared... and then... no... couch gag! This was one of the staples of the show, and I was disappointed it didn't make the movie.

Springfield, Overpopulated
Actually, I'm happy they fit practically every character in Springfield, which is a ton. This is more of a constraint of it being a 90 minute movie, but I really wish the other characters I loved such as Krusty, Mr. Burns, Groundskeeper Willie, etc. got more to do. New characters like the main villain, Lisa's love interest, and 'boob lady' got bigger roles here. Not a nagging flaw, but just a nitpick. I know they all got their moment to shine on the show.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirrels
When I first saw this monstrosity I thought everyone in Springfield was going to turn into freakish multiple-eyed zombies! But I don't what the real purpose of sealing the town under the glass dome was... is the lake inside the town? Then shouldn't they all be turned into freaks? Or was the lake outside the dome, then shouldn't that have been the one under the dome? You might say 'it was the ECA villain's scheme for option 3, deal with it'... but I found it fruitless when the town didn't turn into freaks and just suffered lacking resources.

the Right
Humor
Need I say more? Probably the funniest movie I've seen all year. It's just a good time at the movies. No matter how shallow their jokes are, the way the deliver is so, so funny. Stuff that made me laugh out loud: the guy who was torn between his family and Venice; Bart drunk as hell; every scene with Homer.... you guys write in your favorite funny moments! Too bad a lot of the funny stuff was given away in the trailers though.

His Fat Butt Could Shield Us All
Homer's the hero all right. I'm glad the movie focused on him finally 'growing up'. He's a big, dumb, lovable oaf you can't help but root for. If there was an 'animated characters' hall-of-fame, Homer would definitely be there.

Heart
Amidst the laughs, i liked that the movie showed us deeper things such as the relationship of father-son, husband-wife, and compassion to others... until the next joke that is, haha. Really though, I held back tears during the scene where Homer played the 'taped-over' VHS....

The Cast
Wow, I never knew Dan Castellaneta voiced so many characters (namely: Homer, Krusty the Clown, Grampa Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie, Barney Gumble)! Almost all voice talents gave life to multiple characters, and it was cool that they're dynamic like that.

2D
Yup, the movie trailers said it 'dared to be ugly', but i'm glad they stuck to the old animation style that's so distinct and still holds up to this day. I appreciate the character designs more when I saw Matt Groening's book about how to draw the Simpsons... the science of it, the symmetrical shapes... just classic... check it out when you're at Fully Booked. I'm just happy they didn't do a 'Flintstone's movie' live-action or 'TMNT' CGI with this.

the veRdict
This movie was worth the long wait, and it definitely delivered in entertainment and laughs. People may argue that it was just a 'long episode' but I thought that's just fine. It's one of the funniest movies I've seen all year... in fact, I had a better time watching this than Shrek 3. Long time Simpsons' fans will love that almost all the characters are there, no matter their small roles (how I wish some were bigger), and that Homer is the star (as it should). It's one of the wittiest sitcoms around (animated or live-action), and even though it's lost some of its ground to other shows like 'Family Guy' et. al., there will always be a space in my heart for the Simpsons. I echo the sentiments of Maggie's 'alleged' first word during the end credits.... 'Sequel!'

*UPDATE* : Now with Homer's version!

C'mon... you know you wanna download the orchestral version of Spider-Pig...