Movie Review: This is 40

In the summer of 2007, Judd Apatow unleashed one of the funniest movies of all time in Knocked Up. Five years later, he gives two of the side characters, married couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) their own film. While not quite as amusing as Knocked Up, This is 40 is still a hilarious and insightful comedy. I'm glad that Judd Apatow decided to further explore Pete and Debbie. Outside of Seth Rogen's characters friends, They were the best part of Knocked Up. Their charm and hilarity carries over to this movie. They fight clearly and they have some pressing problems within their lives, but they make it work and their isn't a moment where you dislike either of them. The likeability of their characters can be attributed to how likable Rudd and Man are as actors. They are always relatable and it's pretty much a guarantee that you know someone like them It also helps that they have a easy and very natural chemistry that is amongst the best in recent film history. The biggest similarity This is 40 has to Knocked Up is a great cast of supporting characters. Albert Brooks is his usual funny self as Pete's leech father while John Lithgow plays it straight as Debbie's estranged father who's finally starting to get to know her. Jason Segel, Chris O'Dowd, and Melissa McCarthy also get big laughs in their bit parts. Hell even Megan Fox has some good lines here! Apatow has a gift for casting extremely talented comedic actors and this is no exception. Apatow is also able to balance the dramatic elements better here than in the past. Funny People's dramatic sections seemed kind of strained at times, while here they are much more fluid and better developed. This is 40 never reaches the heights of Knocked Up (nor did I expect it too because those expectations would have been far too lofty), but it's still an extremely funny and honest film. Definitely a great addition to Judd Apatow's filmography and near the top-tier of films I've seen in 2012.

4/5 Stars