Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
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 Worth The Hype & Then Some I'm the type of person who normally doesn't succumb to hype over anything easily, as I prefer to use my own brain to decide what is worthy of my time or a total waste of it. But, I know I will likely NOT be alone in saying that this brilliant, hilarious, heartwarming film was certainly worth all the praise/adulation it's been receiving, and then some. "Juno" is the epitome of the brave little indie film that could, and practically made its writer Diablo Cody a household name. Ellen Page sparkles as Juno: an intelligent, sarcastic teenage girl who discovers that she has become pregnant after her first sexual encounter with her best friend Bleeker (the adorably nerdy Michael Cera). Like any other confused adolescent in her situation, she is faced with the decision of what to do before her baby arrives. Her best female friend, parents, and Bleeker are all accepting of her condition, which is refreshing to see in a storyline that could have become all too formulatic. They support her choice to give her child up for adoption and are for the most part nonjudgemental of her actions. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner are a sweet but childless couple whom Juno decides will be wonderful adoptive parents. As with life in general, things don't exactly go as planned, but to give much more of the plot away would ruin this incredible movie for anyone who hasn't already seen it. For such serious subject matter that is tackled in this movie, I laughed out loud more than a few times at the razor sharp, witty dialogue!! I was absolutely thrilled when Diablo Cody won an Oscar for her original screenplay, and I'm anxious to see what she will be working on next. The musical soundtrack is also a cool, diverse collection of songs that fit the feel of the film wonderfully (Mott the Hoople's "All The Young Dudes" is a particular standout, considering how long the tune itself has been around); I loved the duet between Bleeker and Juno right before the end credits started rolling, too. I see a lot of movies over the course of a year both in the theater and on DVD rentals, and "Juno" is definitely near the top of my list for one of the best flicks I've seen in quite a while. I love this film; it left me with a great, positive feeling of wanting more. The whole cast was impeccable in their performances presenting flawed yet very realistic characters that you can't help but genuinely care about. "Juno" will be joining my DVD collection upon its release, and I know that it's one disc I will watch over again and again. I only wish all of the indie films I've seen in the past could be half as fantastic as this one was for me!!  I love this movie I love this movie so much I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant.  ***1/2 What an explosion this little film has made at the box office; pulling in a staggering 100+ million bucks! Before it spread to its wide release and wide popularity, I saw 'Juno' at an indi theater during its limited run. From the moment the end credits began to roll, I knew that this film would be successful. Though there is a tremendous amount of hype to this film, it truely meets if not exceeds all your expectations. I know many people are quick to judge Miss Page and her preformance (I mean is it really a stretch that she plays a smart mouthed tween?- probably not). Yet, she does give enough likable charm to sustain the running time of the film. Micheal Cera also has a charming role though, again, not much of a stretch from his George Michael character from 'Arrested Development', or even his Evan character from 'Superbad'. The rest of the cast is good, nothing extrodinary. The music is perfect; quirky, poppy, and cool. The writing is witty and smart. What could have easily turned out to be a lifetime original movie, is a surprising, heat warming, and funny little film that's really good. There's no denying this film has charm... `Juno' at times comes off a little `too' abrasive. Diablo Cody's script, which has been lauded as new-age perfection, can in moments come across forced and just a little `too' eccentric. You may find yourself wondering if anyone really talks like this. That said; the movie is so genuinely sweet and movie that it's easily forgivable. In fact it's not a bad script; it's funny, witty and fresh, completely original; it's just a little `too much' at times. That is the one and only complaint I have with this movie. There is nothing else within this film that warrants another bad word from me. The performances are sincere and touching, the plot is brilliantly constructed and the overall feeling of emotional connection I had in the close of this film was unexpected but joyously welcomed. `Juno' is a great film. Here's why. The biggest plus this movie has it its fantastic cast who all commit wholeheartedly to the task at hand. Everyone in this film is on point and that is not just a huge feat but a critical steeple for the films success. When you think about the `witty' script filled to the brim with teenage lingo for the next generation it's some tough dialog to spurt and make believable. The actors had a hefty assignment set before them. If they didn't slip into character perfectly and fluently deliver their lines the film would have been a total loss. It would have been choppy and awkward and a complete mess. Delivering those lines fluently on the other hand would have taken a lot of work; and work they must have because not one actor failed to be convincing. Everyone, and I stress the word `everyone', delivered magnificently. It's the only way the script would have worked. The story follows young Juno MacGuff, a young teenage girl who finds out that she is pregnant (all thanks to that wonderful, blessed chair). She decides against abortion and for adoption and so she searches to find the perfect family for her little sea monkey. Those perfect parents wind up being Mark and Vanessa Loring. It's apparent to the viewer that their relationship is not so perfect, but that's beside the point. Juno thus decides that there is no other couple she would rather raise her baby and so with everything settled we now must wait, as do they, for the baby to come. Waiting alongside Juno are her father Mac, her step-mother Bren and her baby-daddy Paulie. `Juno' is not your typical teen comedy for it actually delves deep into the workings of the characters it presents and helps us get inside their heads, know them and become a part of their story. Juno is more than just another pregnant teenager to us. Thanks to Ellen Page's Oscar nominated performance (so happy for her) Juno becomes a real person, with problems and issues and frustrations just like the rest of us. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman are both fantastic as Vanessa and Mark, especially Garner who adds layers to her character, layers I didn't know Garner could deliver. Michael Cera is just blowing up this year, and here as Paulie Bleeker he manages to make geek sheik. J.K. Simmons is great as Mac and Allison Janney is flawless as Bren, utterly flawless. Like I said, there are times when `Juno' seems like it may be trying too hard but it's such a sentimental and sweet film that by the time the credits begin to roll you'll have forgiven it its minor trespasses and embraced it for the critical darling it's already become. | |||||||||||||
