The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I never felt that the first Hunger Games movie was all that bad, but it's certainly not without its flaws. Chief among them were the issues that the threat was not present enough, and the pathos of the characters were not sufficiently developed. These were just a few of the nuances that seems to have translated better in writing than on-screen.

Fortunately, Catching Fire is not just a mere follow-up on the first film; it's an opportunity to rectify the first film's shortcomings and present a much more sublime adaptation of the second novel in the series. The film starts a little slow, taking the necessary time to cover some important ground with the background and characters, before the plot rockets ahead. I've always felt that the scenes in District 11 would be a pretty hard-hitting scene, and the film did not disappoint. From then on, the suspense builds systematically through a series of actions and reactions, based largely in the characters' predicaments. When the actual Quarter Quell starts, it is a pretty fast and intense match that not only involves a lot of bloodshed, but also some crazy environmental hazards and one ambitious endgame. It all culminates in a captivating series of twists and revelations that will inevitably lead into the full-blown revolution that will come in the Mockingjay films (and the film did a fine job of psyching me up for it). Once it got going, the film moved pretty fast, smooth, and with a perfect level of nuance and detail to fully emphasize the significance of the story and the pathos of the characters.

And that's what's really awesome about the film: the storytelling, which is probably as perfect of an adaptation to the book as it can get. It's not just a paint-by-the-numbers replication of the book's scenes; it seems as though the filmmakers took a deeper look at the source material to bring out the characters better (including all the minor characters, who seem to shine much more in this film), and craft a plot that makes better sense. A few minor details are cut out, but are not really missed; the film crams in so much from the book without feeling crowded, and it is pretty much exactly what I pictured it would be from reading the text. So overall, it is a fine story told really well.

Another great thing that's fixed is the camera work: all the crappy shakey-cam shots are gone, and the photography remains solid, steady, and good overall. Editing is equally decent. Acting is decent: Jennifer Lawrence IS Katniss Everdeen. All the other players felt pretty iffy before, but in this film, everybody feels much more natural and much more important than before; they all pull their weight for good effect. Writing is good. This production has some great-looking sets, props, costumes, and special effects (yes, even the SFX have improved), all of which match up with the first film well, but without appearing gaudy or anything. Music is pretty good too.

The Hunger Games films have finally caught on fire with this sequel. Following the book in both plot and spirit, the film is a successful adaptation. It's more competent, more hard-hitting, more consistently engaging, and it even had moments that I felt were brilliant or beautiful. Fans of the book should enjoy this tremendously, while casual audiences might be able to connect with it better than the first film. Recommended!

4/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Good)

Recommendation: Your attendance to the 75th Hunger Games has been deemed mandatory by the Capital. Violators will be flogged in the town square.

[jvince]

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
dir. Peter Jackson

The Good: Two things: the spectacular barrel sequence and Smaug.

The Bad: Desolation of Smaug is a bloated and exhausting 161 minutes. Dialogue is often eye-rollingly cheesy. Acting is a bit shaky—Lee Pace leads the charge here as the Elven King, hamming it up like he's in a LotR parody. The love triangle between Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), and Kili (Aidan Turner) feels tacked on. Legolas and Tauriel are given many moments to showcase their badassery—and it is cool at first—but all the arrow-shooting and sword-fighting quickly become repetitive and tiresome. Worst of all, the sequel continues the trend of its predecessor of being built on deus ex machina. You could play a drinking game on how many times characters get their asses saved in the nick of time.

The Bottom Line: Moments like the barrel sequence and those with Smaug at the treasure-filled mountain offer glimpses of Peter Jackson's brilliance and capabilities. Unfortunately, that's all we get here—glimpses, tastes, teases. Desolation of Smaug is mostly fluff. And once we arrive at the cliffhanging conclusion, you stop and think, "****ing hell, all of this... all of this could've fit into one big movie." Milk away, Warner Bros.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by jvince

[Show spoiler]The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
dir. Peter Jackson

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Two things: the spectacular barrel sequence and Smaug.

The Bad: Desolation of Smaug is a bloated and exhausting 161 minutes. Dialogue is often eye-rollingly cheesy. Acting is a bit shaky—Lee Pace leads the charge here as the Elven King, hamming it up like he's in a LotR parody. The love triangle between Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), and Kili (Aidan Turner) feels tacked on. Legolas and Tauriel are given many moments to showcase their badassery—and it is cool at first—but all the arrow-shooting and sword-fighting quickly become repetitive and tiresome. Worst of all, the sequel continues the trend of its predecessor of being built on deus ex machina. You could play a drinking game on how many times characters get their asses saved in the nick of time.

The Bottom Line: Moments like the barrel sequence and those with Smaug at the treasure-filled mountain offer glimpses of Peter Jackson's brilliance and capabilities. Unfortunately, that's all we get here—glimpses, tastes, teases. Desolation of Smaug is mostly fluff. And once we arrive at the cliffhanging conclusion, you stop and think, "****ing hell, all of this... all of this could've fit into one big movie." Milk away, Warner Bros.

JVince, is Smaug is amazing as everyone is saying he is? I'm a huge fan of movie Dragons and I can't wait for this film!

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

JVince, is Smaug is amazing as everyone is saying he is? I'm a huge fan of movie Dragons and I can't wait for this film!

Yup. All hail the Cumberbatch.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by jvince

Yup. All hail the Cumberbatch.

Awesome!

[Diesel]

I am going to disagree with Jvince this time and say that Desolation of Smaug is superior to both An Unexpected Journey and The Fellowship of the Ring (only by a tiny hair for this one as they both are scored the same by me).

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this round of The Hobbit as opposed to only mildly enjoying the first portion of the tail.

Could it have been condensed? Most definitely. Am I bothered that it wasn't? Not at all.

I sit here waiting for the extended edition already.

Cumberbatch was fantastic as Smaug...just so awesome.

Also of note, if anyone has seen Reign of Fire...did Smaug not remind you a lot of the bull dragon in design and movement?

Rating - 4.5/5

[Spirit Zero]

DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004)

Probably one of the most underrated 'sports' or fun games you can play which I haven't done since I was in school. I have no idea if there are any actual proper dodgeball leagues/competitions like in this film but I think there should be.

As for this film, well the title says it all really, its an underdog story where the underdogs emerge victorious against all odds, the end. This film doesn't try to be anything other than what it clearly is, a complete dumbass of a film with 'in your face' laugh out loud moments. Nothing here is clever or particulary original its just childish toilet humour utilising every trick in the book to get a giggle, no stone left unturned.

The cast is a mixture of some Frat pack members and good character actors who all take the opportunity to let loose and just play it to the extreme. Good old Ben Stiller has to be the main attraction here as the narcissistic gym owner with a Vidal Sassoon hair style. I did also enjoy the satirical take on flashy modern day gyms filled with overly tanned models who merely like to look at themselves whilst 'getting fit'.

Stephen Root rehashes his 'Office Space' character to great effect, Alan Tudyk is a pirate, why? no idea but its amusing and Vince Vaughn simply plays the same regular Joe character he always does but he does it well doesn't he. There are many other funny performances here and quite a lot of cameos, too many to mention but none of them ever undermine the films comedy. Kinda funny seeing Lance Armstrong going on about his Tour De France victories though, ouch!.

The whole idea here is so basic its amazing they got it off the ground really. Chock full of cheap laughs, naughty visual gags, lots of crotch slapstick, cheesy lines, weight jokes and pratfalls, the film does feel very infantile at times but at others it can be very funny indeed. Its not really about the plot for all intense and purposes, you just watch to see Vaughn, Stiller and co act the fool and crack hokey lines. Its all about the hammy acting and rude visual tomfoolery but the bonus is its a good little feel good flick too.

Yeah you know what will happen, you know the slimy slow witted Stiller will get his comeuppance in the end, there aren't any surprises here. You know exactly what you're paying for with this and you get it, like I say the film doesn't pretend to be anything else other than a stupid comedy much like 'Dumb and Dumber' or other frat pack flicks.

Upped to the max deliberately with daft spoof-like moments for optimal belly laughs and finishing off with the all too common parody of the classic coming from behind victory. Its admittedly a bit of a one joke flick for sure but you don't need to look into it that much, its just an easy going fun entertaining hour and a half.

7.5/10

[SquidPuppet]

Iron Man 3

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Iron Man 3

Ben Kingsley was a better Mandarin in the live action Thunderbirds movie than he was in Iron Man 3.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by squidpuppet

iron man 3

se

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by jvince

...Dialogue is often eye-rollingly cheesy...

Huh. I guess that's what happens when a director just suddenly decides to write his own dialog....after his previous films were almost line for line verbatim from the books.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: Mothra vs Godzilla

Of all the monsters that have come along to challenge Godzilla, Mothra has got to be one of the most memorable and popular of the lot. After its debut in 1961, the massive lepidopteran has appeared and reappeared all over the place across seventeen films, including its own series (the god-awful Rebirth of Mothra films). It's a pretty cheesy thing, but there is something endearing about the giant fluffy moth and its itsy bitsy fairy counterparts. Pitted against the original King of the Monsters, this film represents one of the most original and most epic kaiju clashes.

The film moves along briskly, wasting little time to resurrect Godzilla and have him stomping on some buildings. The entire last half of the film is pretty much all mass destruction, with plenty of buildings and towns getting whacked by the giant lizard's tail and crunched under its feet. When Mothra and its kin show up, things get serious. Events leading up to the climactic battle cover just enough ground to set things up, but hardly ever drags.

The plot has been done before (and is repeated in later films), but in this film, there's enough to the story to keep it interesting. Characters have their standout moments, but are mostly flat, and are pretty much forgotten by the final act. The story has some interesting conflicts running through it; aside from the monster-vs-monster action, the film focuses a lot on corporate greed. Combined with the threat of nuclear supremacy (represented by Godzilla) and the sanctity of mother nature (protected by Mothra), the film underscores some key themes concerning unity and trust in the aftermath of the atomic age.

This film boasts some really nice and colorful photography. Editing is decent, with a few flashy transitions. Acting and writing are pretty decent. This production shows its age pretty badly with the model work and fake-looking monsters, but most other sets, props, and costumes are really nice. Some of the matte paintings and composites are pretty decent too. Music is good.

Mothra will reappear over and over again, but the formula won't vary much: the weird tiny fairy people will sing, the giant moth appears, flaps its wings to create a massive wind, it drags Godzilla around by the tail, then sheds some yellow sh*t all over the place. It's a bit silly, but I can't help but to adore the gargantuan insect, and it's still pretty cool to see it in action in this old-school monster flick. If you like either monster, this film is certainly worth seeing, and it remains a solid and perennial addition to the series.

4/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Pretty Good | Film: Good)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

[jvince]

Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

The Good: Game over, we have a winner. Her is the best film of the year. I don't need to see the rest, because there's no conceivable way anyone could top Spike Jonze's brilliant and timely satire. This is this year's Eternal Sunshine. This is this year's Lost in Translation. This is this year's Punch-Drunk Love. Her may be science-fiction, but it is one of the most real movies I've seen in quite some time. Like Before Midnight, it exposes the ugly side of romance and the fragility of the human heart. How people are capable of loving and hurting the ones they love the most. How people just long for some company that they'll do all sorts of crazy shit, and in the case of our protagonist, even go so far as to fall in love with a freaking computer. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, recently-divorced guy who makes a living writing personal letters for others. He takes an interest in a new, advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson)—a sentient technology with a charming personality. Next thing he knows, he's fallen in love with a computer's voice. It sounds like a really bizarre and ridiculous premise—and in other hands, this could've easily been an embarrassing trainwreck—but Jonze, he makes it work. Heck, he fires on all cylinders and hits all the marks. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll empathize. You'll feel. This is a mesmerizing vision filled with ambition and emotion; with ideas and with heart. This is a work of genius. Joaquin Phoenix, my goodness. He delivers one hell of a performance. You should know that about 90% of this movie has the camera focused on him as he basically talks to no one, but he pulls you in and sells every line he says. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his name engraved on every Best Actor award by now. And Scarlett Johansson, she never appears on-screen, but she infuses so much character and emotion through her voice, there are times that you feel Samantha is right there. The supporting cast of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, and Portia Doubleday, as well as Kristin Wiig and Jonze himself (in two absolutely hysterical voice cameos) is simply terrific. Screenplay by Jonze is top-notch and a front runner for year-end honors. Cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In) is utterly gorgeous. Your eyes will be pleased. Soundtrack by Arcade Fire and Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is pure bliss.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: When people look back at 2013 several years from now, they won't remember it as the year of Gravity or any other film—they'll remember Her. Everyone will still be talking about Her. Everyone's lists will have Her. Everyone will be recommending Her. Everyone will be rewatching Her. Everyone will fall in love with Her over and over again. A masterpiece from the first scene and a classic as it fades to black. Her is essential viewing.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by jvince

[Show spoiler]Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Game over, we have a winner. Her is the best film of the year. I don't need to see the rest, because there's no conceivable way anyone could top Spike Jonze's brilliant and timely satire. This is this year's Eternal Sunshine. This is this year's Lost in Translation. This is this year's Punch-Drunk Love. Her may be science-fiction, but it is one of the most real movies I've seen in quite some time. Like Before Midnight, it exposes the ugly side of romance and the fragility of the human heart. How people are capable of loving and hurting the ones they love the most. How people just long for some company that they'll do all sorts of crazy shit, and in the case of our protagonist, even go so far as to fall in love with a freaking computer. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, recently-divorced guy who makes a living writing personal letters for others. He takes an interest in a new, advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson)—a sentient technology with a charming personality. Next thing he knows, he's fallen in love with a computer's voice. It sounds like a really bizarre and ridiculous premise—and in other hands, this could've easily been an embarrassing trainwreck—but Jonze, he makes it work. Heck, he fires on all cylinders and hits all the marks. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll empathize. You'll feel. This is a mesmerizing vision filled with ambition and emotion; with ideas and with heart. This is a work of genius. Joaquin Phoenix, my goodness. He delivers one hell of a performance. You should know that about 90% of this movie has the camera focused on him as he basically talks to no one, but he pulls you in and sells every line he says. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his name engraved on every Best Actor award by now. And Scarlett Johansson, she never appears on-screen, but she infuses so much character and emotion through her voice, there are times that you feel Samantha is right there. The supporting cast of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, and Portia Doubleday, as well as Kristin Wiig and Jonze himself (in two absolutely hysterical voice cameos) is simply terrific. Screenplay by Jonze is top-notch and a front runner for year-end honors. Cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In) is utterly gorgeous. Your eyes will be pleased. Soundtrack by Arcade Fire and Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is pure bliss.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: When people look back at 2013 several years from now, they won't remember it as the year of Gravity or any other film—they'll remember Her. Everyone will still be talking about Her. Everyone's lists will have Her. Everyone will be recommending Her. Everyone will be rewatching Her. Everyone will fall in love with Her over and over again. A masterpiece from the first scene and a classic as it fades to black. Her is essential viewing.

The wait is killing me JVince! Awesome review, you made me even more pumped for Her!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

se

Originally Posted by jvince

Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

Yikes.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jvince

[Show spoiler]

Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Game over, we have a winner. Her is the best film of the year. I don't need to see the rest, because there's no conceivable way anyone could top Spike Jonze's brilliant and timely satire. This is this year's Eternal Sunshine. This is this year's Lost in Translation. This is this year's Punch-Drunk Love. Her may be science-fiction, but it is one of the most real movies I've seen in quite some time. Like Before Midnight, it exposes the ugly side of romance and the fragility of the human heart. How people are capable of loving and hurting the ones they love the most. How people just long for some company that they'll do all sorts of crazy shit, and in the case of our protagonist, even go so far as to fall in love with a freaking computer. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, recently-divorced guy who makes a living writing personal letters for others. He takes an interest in a new, advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson)—a sentient technology with a charming personality. Next thing he knows, he's fallen in love with a computer's voice. It sounds like a really bizarre and ridiculous premise—and in other hands, this could've easily been an embarrassing trainwreck—but Jonze, he makes it work. Heck, he fires on all cylinders and hits all the marks. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll empathize. You'll feel. This is a mesmerizing vision filled with ambition and emotion; with ideas and with heart. This is a work of genius. Joaquin Phoenix, my goodness. He delivers one hell of a performance. You should know that about 90% of this movie has the camera focused on him as he basically talks to no one, but he pulls you in and sells every line he says. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his name engraved on every Best Actor award by now. And Scarlett Johansson, she never appears on-screen, but she infuses so much character and emotion through her voice, there are times that you feel Samantha is right there. The supporting cast of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, and Portia Doubleday, as well as Kristin Wiig and Jonze himself (in two absolutely hysterical voice cameos) is simply terrific. Screenplay by Jonze is top-notch and a front runner for year-end honors. Cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In) is utterly gorgeous. Your eyes will be pleased. Soundtrack by Arcade Fire and Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is pure bliss.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: When people look back at 2013 several years from now, they won't remember it as the year of Gravity or any other film—they'll remember Her. Everyone will still be talking about Her. Everyone's lists will have Her. Everyone will be recommending Her. Everyone will be rewatching Her. Everyone will fall in love with Her over and over again. A masterpiece from the first scene and a classic as it fades to black. Her is essential viewing.

Sci-fi with Karen O's music?! I'm sold already!

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jvince

Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Game over, we have a winner. Her is the best film of the year. I don't need to see the rest, because there's no conceivable way anyone could top Spike Jonze's brilliant and timely satire. This is this year's Eternal Sunshine. This is this year's Lost in Translation. This is this year's Punch-Drunk Love. Her may be science-fiction, but it is one of the most real movies I've seen in quite some time. Like Before Midnight, it exposes the ugly side of romance and the fragility of the human heart. How people are capable of loving and hurting the ones they love the most. How people just long for some company that they'll do all sorts of crazy shit, and in the case of our protagonist, even go so far as to fall in love with a freaking computer. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, recently-divorced guy who makes a living writing personal letters for others. He takes an interest in a new, advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson)—a sentient technology with a charming personality. Next thing he knows, he's fallen in love with a computer's voice. It sounds like a really bizarre and ridiculous premise—and in other hands, this could've easily been an embarrassing trainwreck—but Jonze, he makes it work. Heck, he fires on all cylinders and hits all the marks. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll empathize. You'll feel. This is a mesmerizing vision filled with ambition and emotion; with ideas and with heart. This is a work of genius. Joaquin Phoenix, my goodness. He delivers one hell of a performance. You should know that about 90% of this movie has the camera focused on him as he basically talks to no one, but he pulls you in and sells every line he says. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his name engraved on every Best Actor award by now. And Scarlett Johansson, she never appears on-screen, but she infuses so much character and emotion through her voice, there are times that you feel Samantha is right there. The supporting cast of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, and Portia Doubleday, as well as Kristin Wiig and Jonze himself (in two absolutely hysterical voice cameos) is simply terrific. Screenplay by Jonze is top-notch and a front runner for year-end honors. Cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In) is utterly gorgeous. Your eyes will be pleased. Soundtrack by Arcade Fire and Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is pure bliss.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: When people look back at 2013 several years from now, they won't remember it as the year of Gravity or any other film—they'll remember Her. Everyone will still be talking about Her. Everyone's lists will have Her. Everyone will be recommending Her. Everyone will be rewatching Her. Everyone will fall in love with Her over and over again. A masterpiece from the first scene and a classic as it fades to black. Her is essential viewing.

So, basically what you're saying is I should make a point to watch the movie at some point?

I've been looking forward to seeing this for a long time, so it's nice to see that it turned out to be a very good movie.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

Her (2013)
dir. Spike Jonze

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Game over, we have a winner. Her is the best film of the year. I don't need to see the rest, because there's no conceivable way anyone could top Spike Jonze's brilliant and timely satire. This is this year's Eternal Sunshine. This is this year's Lost in Translation. This is this year's Punch-Drunk Love. Her may be science-fiction, but it is one of the most real movies I've seen in quite some time. Like Before Midnight, it exposes the ugly side of romance and the fragility of the human heart. How people are capable of loving and hurting the ones they love the most. How people just long for some company that they'll do all sorts of crazy shit, and in the case of our protagonist, even go so far as to fall in love with a freaking computer. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, recently-divorced guy who makes a living writing personal letters for others. He takes an interest in a new, advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson)—a sentient technology with a charming personality. Next thing he knows, he's fallen in love with a computer's voice. It sounds like a really bizarre and ridiculous premise—and in other hands, this could've easily been an embarrassing trainwreck—but Jonze, he makes it work. Heck, he fires on all cylinders and hits all the marks. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll empathize. You'll feel. This is a mesmerizing vision filled with ambition and emotion; with ideas and with heart. This is a work of genius. Joaquin Phoenix, my goodness. He delivers one hell of a performance. You should know that about 90% of this movie has the camera focused on him as he basically talks to no one, but he pulls you in and sells every line he says. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his name engraved on every Best Actor award by now. And Scarlett Johansson, she never appears on-screen, but she infuses so much character and emotion through her voice, there are times that you feel Samantha is right there. The supporting cast of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, and Portia Doubleday, as well as Kristin Wiig and Jonze himself (in two absolutely hysterical voice cameos) is simply terrific. Screenplay by Jonze is top-notch and a front runner for year-end honors. Cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In) is utterly gorgeous. Your eyes will be pleased. Soundtrack by Arcade Fire and Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is pure bliss.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: When people look back at 2013 several years from now, they won't remember it as the year of Gravity or any other film—they'll remember Her. Everyone will still be talking about Her. Everyone's lists will have Her. Everyone will be recommending Her. Everyone will be rewatching Her. Everyone will fall in love with Her over and over again. A masterpiece from the first scene and a classic as it fades to black.

Her is essential viewing.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Sci-fi with Karen O's music?! I'm sold already!

Now this we can agree on

[Spirit Zero]

The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)

If ever there was a one joke film...So as you may have guessed this is all about a dude who is the ripe old age of 40 and has yet to have jiggy jiggy. Just looking at the cast line up and director for this film you know exactly what to expect comedy wise, there's gonna be infantile toilet humour and lots of sexual innuendos.

But wait! its not all like that, its not gone completely down the 'Deuce Bigalow' route, beneath all the visual gags and nerd references there is actually a heart warming rom-com here. The film kicks off as you would expect and its really quite amusing, Carell is perfectly cast as the simple lonely virgin in his amazingly decent and spacious flat, How does he afford that place with the job he's in?!. Naturally Carell's character has been given the stereotypical nerd look, the silly childish way most males would perceive a single middle aged man with no girlfriend.

'Andy's' home is a haven for all sci-fi comic book merchandise geeks everywhere, a treasure trove of collectibles, action figures, boxed action figures, posters etc...the rather over used and cliched stereotypical view on single guys that might play Dungeons & Dragons too much. Admittedly it is amusing but it does kinda wane quickly to be honest, much like the humour. At first it is funny watching Carell struggle to fit in with his alcohol consuming friends, its probably awkward for most as I'm sure many of us have actually been in that position. Trying to fit in with your mates and not stick out like a sore thumb, we can all relate to these things at some point in our lives and this is why it does hit home and make you cringe and smile at the same time.

Problem was for me it all got very old very fast. The whole infantile college boy type humour, trying to score and pull birds, drinking whilst mocking Andy for the fact he gets more aroused by movie collectibles rather than women (at times). I do like Seth Rogan so that did help along the way, he always comes across like a lunatic about to flip which is hilarious. Thing is once we've had the 'outing' of Andy and the first few attempts to get him laid it just becomes boring.

As we get towards the end of course things get mushy as Andy does find the right woman, they have spats, realise they are meant for each other and eventually naturally become an item, happily ever after. Yeah yeah spoiler alert but who cares, like you can't see that coming a mile off. On the whole you gotta give kudos to Carell for making Andy such a likable guy and to Keener for giving such a touching caring performance as his older girlfriend. Thanks to them the film is elevated above a silly comedy purely about having sex. As for that song n dance routine at the very end...what the hell was that about?!.

5/10