Movie rating: 3 Star

What To Expect When You're Expecting

21399

 How many different ways can you say the word "vagina" in a couple of hours? Frankly, who hasn't wondered that at some point? This purposely light, easily digested ensemble comedy is more of a distraction than a film; but the cast are likeable and there are enough funny moments to pass the time. Lads that get dragged to this will rightfully be pissed off, but should find themselves guiltily chuckling also.
Chronicling the lives of several couples in varying stages of being up the pole, this star heavy production plays like He's Just Not That Into You with baby bumps. Similarly structured; the recognisable cast feature the usual eclectic array of young, old, black, white and Jennifer Lopez all wanting/dealing with being knocked up.
Expect a lot of reviews saying they weren’t expecting much and got pretty much what they expected. While the phrase "chick flick" may not be a popular one nowadays, What To Expect When You're Expecting really is the quintessential one. What saves this production from utter banality is smart casting and nice turns by some of said cast members. Diaz is perfect as the control freak celebrity fitness instructor, and the character template follows pretty much from there. Matthew Morrison's snake like hips are put to good use as a professional dancer, with Elizabeth Banks the pedantic housewife. The only really place where 'Expecting' suffers casting wise is having Jennifer Lopez playing someone supposedly likeable. C'mon, who's buying that?
It works sporadically, sure, but director Jones knows what he's doing and tonally it never veers off course. It definitely peaks whenever Chris Rock and his crew of baby carrying fathers turn up, and whenever they're not on screen you're kinda wishing they were. Bridesmaids star Ben Falcone too is great, and I would've liked to see him play off the other guy characters a bit more. He's got real potential as a leading comic actor.
Expect lots of women discussing their vaginas. Expect men being disgusted by talk of said vaginas. Expect... ah fuck it, that's all I have. It's grand.

Watch: What To Expect When You're Expecting

Review by Mike Sheridan | 18:00 | Friday 25th May 2012 | Movie Review

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Comments

• hollabackgal

  Mike get yourself to a doctor now!

  Posted 19:57 | Fri 25th May 2012

• cmckeon

  Oh no. Another cuss word in a review. Drop the coin in the special jar :-(

  Posted 12:38 | Mon 28th May 2012

• Display Name

  I loved this film. I'm also slightly mentally impaired.

  Posted 14:39 | Fri 22nd Jun 2012

• Linda

  Thought this was a very funny film well worth a watch

  Posted 16:21 | Tue 19th Jun 2012

• mike sheridan is gay

  look at the name hey ;)

  Posted 19:17 | Sun 17th Jun 2012

• yomaisonthegame

  Yo, can't believe you're using Gay as an insult curly Sue. If you ever met this gay guy you'd be my prison b**ch. I think you're on the money re the review.

  Posted 21:01 | Sun 17th Jun 2012

• hellcat1983

  Awful movie think I laughed twice One of those movies that if you have seen the trailer there is no need to see the movie

  Posted 15:14 | Wed 4th Jul 2012

• chell

  I really didnt want to see this film cause if i wanted to see girls / women with babies id just look out my window its fashion these days!! i didnt like this movie AT ALL !! chris rock i think was the only one who made me laugh... but each to your own i guess :)

  Posted 15:48 | Fri 22nd Jun 2012

• DoubleLetter

  Reminds me of those films like Valentines Day or New Years Eve - load it up with star names and forget about a premiseplot. Saying that, its sold out every night in the cinema I work in. Maybe because it was released at a time where no other rom-comdate movies were released.

  Posted 13:25 | Sun 24th Jun 2012

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