Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons
Director: Jason Reitman
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Media Release Date: April 15, 2008
Rating: PG-13
Length: 92 minutes
Movie
Oh to be 16 and knocked up again…well, at least half of that.
Not long after this film was released, there was controversy over a gaggle of teenage girls who thought it would be a good idea to get pregnant in high school, just like the teenage star of the film Juno. But it seems if there is one message this film is definitely not trying to send, that would probably be it. Maybe you just have to be over the age of 16 to understand it.
In a nutshell, Juno is a film about an intelligent yet slightly apathetic teenager, going through what all teenagers go through – a struggle to find out who they are. Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) just happens to be doing it pregnant and with a sharper wit than the average 16-year-old.
Knowing without a doubt that the baby, the result of a first and awkward foray into sex, is not meant for her, she copes with the bizarre situation of choosing adoptive parents and the very normal emotions of heartbreak, love and growing up faster than you might want.
Girl power!
Not that Michael Cera (as Paulie Bleeker), Jason Bateman (as Mark Loring) and J.K. Simmons (as Mac MacGuff) were chopped liver, but what a stellar cast of women in this film! Ellen Page’s portrayal of 16-year-old Juno is certainly credit to a smart casting director. Kudos to him or her for not casting a real 16-year-old in the role, who likely wouldn’t have the wisdom and experience to add the level of depth to Juno’s character that Page did – we cringe to think of a Miley Cyrus in the role…
Allison Janney, another standout female in the film, plays her role as Juno’s stepmom Brenda “Bren” MacGuff with fantastic comedic sense. But if you look closer, you’ll also see that Bren is pure loyalty as a mom, wife and stepmom, who’s strength is a reserve and a model for her teenage stepdaughter. In this writer’s opinion, Janney took her role from secondary character to centre stage.
But far and away, the greatest female role in this film belongs to Jennifer Garner. On the surface, Vanessa Loring has everything, but Garner captures the intensity, sadness and desperation that her character goes through as she gives up everything she supposedly has for the one thing she truly needs – to be a mom.
If you’re going to buy this film, buy it for Garner’s role. And prepare to have your heart wrenched.
But Dude, the dialogue is like so…whatever.
Be warned, Juno is not for the faint of teenage vernacular. This film is a hybrid of youthful slang and massive intellect you don’t generally find in most high school hallways, and it’s a bit of a culture shock when you’re first exposed.
Though some may find it off-putting, we blog to differ (hah!) – after the first 10 minutes it will seem like the most natural dialogue in the world and you’ll be speaking it yourself long after the film is over (we’d bet our hamburger phone on it).
Video
- Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
- Video resolution: 1080p
- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Juno is no blockbuster action flick, with car chases and helicopter explosions, so it’s no surprise the video quality isn’t a “wow” in the film. It’s respectable, don’t get us wrong – deep colours, accurate skin tones, etc. There is, however, a trace of graininess that pervades the film and that once you notice it is a bit hard to let go of. It may have been by design, to help Juno retain its indie feel, but intentional or not, it can be a bit annoying. Best advice: just ignore it, there’s plenty of other good stuff to focus on.
Audio
- English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1
- French: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
The soundtrack to Juno is heavy on music by a particular folksy artist, Kimya Dawson (of the Moldy Peaches). Needless to say, you won’t be rockin’ the surrounds or the subwoofer, but both the dialogue and the music in the film come across clean in the lossless 5.1 soundtrack, with the latter supplying a low-key backdrop for the former that is fitting of the laidback nature of Juno herself.
Special Features 
(Standard Definition)
Yet again, a case of no high definition special features for an HD film, but there certainly is no shortage of bonus material for Juno – which is something to smile about, if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Audio Commentary. Screenwriter Diablo Cody (now notorious for her sex-blog, her stylized script and her wardrobe choices) and director Jason Reitman take turns breaking down the film from a technical and a behind-the-scenes perspective. They make a good duo, actually, and aren’t bad to listen to.
- Featurettes. Four in total, all with Diablo-styled titles like “Honest to Blog! Creating Juno” and “Jason Reitman for Shizz”. Mixed together from on-set interviews and promo footage, you get the gist on how the film was made and how the characters were shaped with input from the big players.
- Deleted Scenes. Surprisingly good, though the film easily carried on without them. They’re good for a double-dip if you need a little more Juno.
- Outtakes. High on humor, you get a gag reel, screen tests and a bizarre cast and crew music video that are more watchable than most outtakes.
Overall
See this film. Buy this film, then see it a million more times. It just gets better the more you watch it. Relive the glory and horror of being 16, fall back in love with a guy like Paulie Bleeker and realize that though your parents drive you nuts they will always have your back when you need them. Watch this film to revel in the fact that, whether you faced Juno’s situation or not, you made it through those years living, breathing and (hopefully) unscarred, and are a better person for it.
Watch it, you’ll love it – honest to blog.
Yup, we love movies and home theatre, but guess who gets to hold the remote?
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