Lifelong friends and roommates Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, they seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship. But as filming begins, what started out as a business proposition between friends turns into something much more.

I absolutely love Kevin Smith and his movies, so for me a review of any of his films almost seems biased because of my adoration of him and his films. The same can go for Zack and Miri makes a porno I truly enjoyed the movie and laughed throughout. He has yet to step out of his comfort zone so when judging his films its just as easy to judge them against all his other films in his gannon of work. Sure this time the movie takes place somewhere besides Jersey as the film has been moved to Pennsylvania and sure there is no Jay and Silent Bob but Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson two actors a staple in almost every Kevin Smith movie still have fairly large roles just not the lead roles this time around. So as far as Zack and Miri goes I would put it third on list still behind Clerks and Chasing Amy which it was good as but not better than, heck I might make it a virtual tie for third with Dogma.

The one thing I don’t get is why everyone thinks Kevin Smith needs to step out of his comfort zone, is there really something so horrid about comedy and making people laugh that to be respected as a director and a film maker you need to go out and make Oscar bait like films or serious dramas that will all of a sudden give you credibility. Kevin Smith is a great writer and his writing works best in comedies where is wit can make you laugh and he can be as crude and vulgar as he wants too. Sure I’d like to see him make other types of films but I still want him to make me laugh and that is what Zack and Miri did it made me laugh. It is crude, it is vulgar and it is downright hilarious what more can you ask for.

The story of the film is very simple and funny, in dire straights two friends decide to make a porno and make a little money. But despite the crude covering and vulgar nature of the film at times the movie does have a heart just like all of Smith’s other films. I think that is what makes his movies so good, even though they are crude they still speak to us about live, love and friendship. They don’t give us the watered down version of life, life isn’t always pretty but it speaks to the inner romantic in us all and despite all the crudity Kevin is truly a romantic. The films showcase life and live in all its harsh light while keeping hold of the dream and romantic nature we all have all the while making us laugh until our sides hurt. Hears hoping for Kevin to never leave his comfort zone.

I am slowly growing a distaste of a Seth Rogen I think a lot of it has to do with the backlash of being tired of the Apatow ball washing that seems to be constantly happening in Hollywood right now. But for the most part he is a funny and good actor and he absolutely perfect for this role which was written with him in mind according to Kevin Smith. Jason Mewes looks a lot better in this film and gives a great performance too. Elizabeth Banks is cute but that is all she really brought to the movie the movie is actually supported more by its supporting cast then its leads which is fine because they all do a great job.

Grade: B+