Life lessons on love and maturity are learned by the characters, but the film never hammers the point home like the average Owen Wilson romantic comedy

Judd Apatow has made a name for himself as one of Hollywoods most acclaimed comedy writers in both TV (Freaks & Geeks, Undeclared) and film (The 40 Year Old Virgin, which he also directed).

His trademark combination of base humor, heart and pop culture sensibility are present in his latest film, Knocked Up, a hilarious look at pregnancy and relationships.

Longtime supporting actor Seth Rogen takes the lead as Ben, an aspiring Web designer whose daily routine consists of waking up, getting high with his friends and chronicling nude scenes in old movies.

After a drunken hook up with out-of-his-league entertainment journalist Alison (Katherine Heigl), he finds out hes going to be a father. The two decide to try and make a real relationship work and hilarity ensues.

Its not exactly a creative plot, but Apatow makes it work with realistic dialogue and a heartfelt sensibility that doesnt ever seem sappy. It also helps that hes cast his film with people who are genuinely funny.

Rogen, like Steve Carell in Virgin, shows he can carry a film, and Heigl (of Greys Anatomy fame) shows good comedic timing. Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd steal almost every scene theyre in as Alisons sister and brother-in-law, respectively. And the numerous appearances and cameos all make it work. Not to spoil anything, but this movie even finds a way to make Ryan Seacrest funny.

The real strength of Knocked Up is in the dialogue. Apatow is one of the few Hollywood screenwriters who seem to draw inspiration from real life instead of other films.

The result is a story thats raunchy, but not in an OMG, he just boned a pie way. Life lessons on love and maturity are learned by the characters, but the film never hammers the point home like the average Owen Wilson romantic comedy.

Pop culture references are everywhere, but its never forced. Knocked Up sometimes resembles a funnier version of real life than it does a Hollywood summer comedy.

Thats not to say its perfect. Clocking in at a hefty (by comedy standards) two hours, you might be tempted to check your watch every so often. Comedy veteran Harold Ramis seems terribly underused in what turns out to be a bit role as Bens father.

And for the squeamish or those who were sick that day you saw the video of how a baby is born in eighth grade health class, theres one sequence that might be a little needlessly graphic. At least now youll know why they call it crowning.

But the good far outweighs the bad in Knocked Up. It may not be the most original premise, but Apatow and his stellar cast get the most possible from it. Knocked Up is a comedy thats both fun and not insulting to the intelligence.

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