Knocked Up is a relatively low budget film that stars no major actors, but it is also one of the funniest movies of the year. Being that it is only June, there are plenty of months to go for other comedies to smack this one around, but I highly doubt that most will be able to attain the honesty, believable crudeness and charm. Better yet, this is the romantic comedy guys have been waiting for: it is Harry Met Sally for the 21st century, a romantic comedy made for guys.

In this comedy that is both a heartwarming story of a man and woman trying to find love where there is initially none and an edgy, dialogue-driven slap-you-in-the-face guys film (I can't quite bring myself to call it a "stoner" film), Seth Rogen, best known for his supporting role in The 40-Year Old Virgin, stars as Ben Stone, a man who has spent 10 years living off a $14,000 insurance paycheck. He lives in a rundown Los Angeles home with his loser friends, doesn't have a job, and spends most of his time getting high. Slightly overweight with curly hair and a consistent scruffiness, who knew that he could land the bed of sexy, up-and-coming E! Channel reporter Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl, of "Grey's Anatomy")? Regardless, he does, and eight weeks later he finds out that his misuse of a condom has led to a pregnancy. From two different worlds and hardly a right match, Ben and Alison decide to take a go at a relationship, but over the next seven months, they find that things are much harder than they could ever have expected.

Knocked Up works on so many levels, it is hard to believe. Ranking in at 91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, I am not the only critic to say that this film, directed by Judd Apatow, the man responsible for The 40-Year Old Virgin and the critically popular but financially cool television shows "Undeclared" and "Freaks and Geeks", is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that breaks the gender barrier and also offers something fresh and "more real" than your fluffy piece of crap. As a guy, I found Knocked Up hilarious, as Apatow and Rogen seem to strike a chord by identifying every awkward moment that could happen in a 9-month relationship such as this and drilling into each one until the audience is falling off their seats. Knocked Up works because it takes advantage of real life situations and presents them in a funny way, and, of course, sprinkles some sharp dialogue throughout the film to piece everything together. Every actor works seamlessly with one another to create a consistently funny, entertaining and high quality film.

Some of the highlights are simple situations such as the girl meeting her boyfriend's odd friends for the first time (a little Asian girl with a speaking impediment is a highlight), Ben and Alison searching for the perfect gynecologist, two men taking jokes overboard at a nice restaurant, completing ignoring the fact that their women are getting heated with every new word, and more. Apatow and the cast know exactly how to tickle your funny bone, and they do it for over two hours.

In addition, besides being just funny, Knocked Up is a sincerely good movie. The characters are likable, the chemistry between Ben and Alison is believable and the romantic element, while not nearly as stereotypical as most romantic comedies, has you cheering for the two to remain together (and that includes you guys, too).

Knocked Up is one of the funniest films of 2007, and in reality is a much better film than The 40-Year Old Virgin. This is a movie that both sexes can and will enjoy, together or with a group of friends. Highly recommended.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.