Júnior

This film is one of the strangest films I've ever seen, and I've seen some pretty strange movies (Attack of the Killer Banana anyone?). Although extremely strange, it's funny, in only a way the director of Ghostbusters could make it. Arnold's explanation of why he's so ugly in drag is hilarious. Emma Thompson gives a particuarly good role by Danny DeVito. Worth a rental, if not a buy.

This movie is about a male scientist that, for a scientific experiment, agrees to carry a pregnancy in his own body (!). And while his colleague's former wife is also pregnant, he also befriends a nurse (and hilarious situations follows).

Personally I found the movie funny at times. I'll say to the haters ''Come on folks it's a comedy''. But I'll explain the reasons why I didn't rated this movie higher than 5. And it's better than the overall rating of 4,6 would suggest.

The pros: Schwarzenegger, DeVito and Emma Thompson were the strong point of the movie, they did the best with the material they were given. I liked especially the scene when Arnold ends in drag at a clinic specialized in pregnancy, and some weeks later along with DeVito and Emma rush to the hospital along with DeVito's wife.

The cons: The concept of a pregnant man can disturb many sensible persons, and I personally felt queasy about the subject matter. Thanks to the nightmare scene (although many wouldn't agree with me, I found it very funny). And the villain, played by Frank Langella, it's not a very believable villain, as he is defeated easily.

However I found the movie funny and likeable, but in some points shallow and silly. But this is not always a bad thing, like in this case.

For me this is one of those movies you will either love or hate, there is no in between. Having said that I loved it, but do not rate it up there with good movies, because even though I loved it, it is not really that good. I do think however that it is better than the current 4.4 rating.

Arnie and Danny Devito are quite funny together, but some of Arnie's acting can be hit and miss. I am by the way a big fan of Arnies, just being honest.

The casting is probably the best thing about Junior. It's hard to imagine any other macho actor of Arnies ilk pulling this off. As in Twins and Kindergarten Cop, Arnie plays against his macho image, getting both laughs and smiles by showing us his non macho side.

Add Danny Devito and Emma Thompson, actors I hold in high regard and you have to at least give this a go.

It gave me a few laughs and a smile, but I have no wish to watch it twice.

Movies are strange things. Some are high art and some are just guilty entertainment. Except at extremes of greatness and trash people and especially reviewers will seldom agree on how good (well made ,entertaining, socially significant, whatever) a movie is. I happen to love this movie for many of the same reasons stated in the positive reviews above. In reading through many of the external reviews I am amazed how many of the reviewers, especially important reviewers from major newspapers, just don't get it . Then read Roger Ebert's review. I didn't always agree with his reviews (sometimes it seemed like we hadn't even seen the same movie) but the vast majority of the time he got it right, and this was one of those times.

I have never laughed & cried so hard at the same time. Finally, a man pregnant. And having it Arnold playing this part was wonderful. He ran the emotional and physical gammet and he did it beautifully. As a woman who had a horribly difficult pregnancy and constantly wanted to smack men up the side of the head when they make comments about how easy we have it, I finally felt that someone got it.

Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger pair up as a Doctor (OBGYN) and a Research Scientist who are trying to come up with a formula to help women with difficult pregnancies to have a better chance of carrying through. (A worthy effort in itself) They are turned down by the FDA for a human testing and the University revokes their funding. (TYPICAL) In a totally bold, crazy and plot driving move, Devito talks Arnold into trying the formula on himself. But where to get the donor egg. (Enter Emily Thompson as a fellow Dr/Researcher who has cryogenically frozen eggs). And the humor just gets funnier from here.

Arnold suddenly is going through the mood swings, the nausea, the nipples itching and everything else that goes with a "WOMAN" being pregnant. And he doesn't pander or downplay any of it. He was down right beautiful in the part.

I highly recommend this to any woman who is, will be or has been pregnant. You will laugh and cry and totally enjoy this movie. And guys, if you don't get it, well, you never have when we were the pregnant ones, so why should you get this portrayal??? Give it a shot, you may learn what real strengths women have.