Junior (1994)

Director: Ivan Reitman

Writer: Kevin Wade, Chris Conrad (Screenplay)

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson, Frank Langella, Pamela Reed, Aida Turturro, Megan Cavanagh, Welker White, James Eckhouse

Plot: Alex Hesse and Larry Arbogast are working on a new drug which will reduce the chances of a woman’s body rejecting an embryo and thus causing a miscarriage. When their research funding is withdrawn, and human experimentation is denied to them, they decide to test the drug by briefly impregnating Hesse. Hesse however becomes attached to “his” unborn baby.

Verdict: Classic Comedy

Story: Let’s look at the serious side to the story, the scientific trial where a man can get pregnant with the same drugs that increase a woman’s chance to get pregnant. We see how two determined partners in business want to create a drug that helps woman become pregnant but fail to get approval for human testing. They end up performing the test on one of them but things soon get out of hand, entering the comedy side of the story. What if a man became pregnant, how would he react and how would people react to him, as well as keeping it a secret from the world. Also add in to the story that the man who became pregnant is very uptight but he might have met the girl of his dreams in a clumsy doctor. Mixing all these together you get a very funny story with plenty of serious and comical moments. (9/10)

Actor Review

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Dr. Alex Hesse an uptight researcher who has made great strides in his research but when his proposal gets rejected by the FDA he wants to give up and start again. His partner talks him into becoming the first human test subject. This leads him to successful blend with the mix but when he decides he wants to keep the baby he starts to become more open and willingly to let people in his life as he becomes the first man to give birth. Brilliant performance from Arnold, who enters the deadpan comedy with ease and looking at the role, I couldn’t see a funny man doing a better job. (9/10)

Danny DeVito: Dr. Larry Arbogast the partner of Alex who has a practice on the side leaving Alex to do the research while he deals with pregnant woman on a daily bases trying to help them have their own babies. He suggest to do the experiment but only to prove it can grow in a human, he gets a shock when he finds out Alex has been continuing the meds and wants to have the baby. Good performance from Danny filling in the talk too much role for the strong silent Arnold. (8/10)

Emma Thompson: Dr. Diana Reddin the replacement doctor in the research lab who is also trying to achieve the same as the guys in a different way. She is clumsy and at times awkward and takes a shines to Alex leading to sparks flying between them. Good performance from Emma in a role you wouldn’t have ever put her in a romantic comedy opposite Arnold. (9/10)

Frank Langella: Noah the head of research committee at the university he pulls the plug on Alex and Larry but when he sees them around he starts to investigate what is really going on and who they are experimenting on. Good performance as the menacing authority figure out to ruin the work achieved. (8/10)

Pamela Reed: Angela ex-wife of Larry who has just become pregnant too, she wants Larry to look after her during the pregnancy even though he isn’t the father and always seems to walk in for perfect comically timing. Good supporting performance that gets some of the funniest scenes. (8/10)

Director Review: Ivan Reitman – Great direction to create a top comedy that looks miss-casted but in actual fact is perfect for the roles. (9/10)

Comedy: Great comedy moments throughout the film. (9/10)

Romance: The romance is more of an awkward love interest that turns serious with the film focusing more on the comedy than the romance. (6/10)

Settings: Each setting adds to the comedy as the story unfolds with the resort for pregnant woman really getting extra laughs. (8/10)
Special Effects: Good special effects used to create the pregnant Arnold. (8/10)

Suggestion: This is a must watch for all, it has all the comedy you need to go next to a somewhat serious story line. (Watch)

Best Part: Each person’s reaction to the ‘I am pregnant line’.

Worst Part: Could have more support characters.

Funniest Scene: ‘I’m gonna be a mommy too’.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Awards: Arnold and Emma both got nominated for Golden Globes.

Oscar Chances: Got one nomination for original song.

Box Office: $108 Million

Budget: $60 Million