I know, you’re seeing the headline for this, and you’re very confused. Why the blue hell am I writing a review about Bridesmaids on blast-o-rama? Isn’t it a nerd and geek related site? Sure, I’ve touched the Apatow stuff before, but isn’t Bridesmaids a “chick flick” or something?

Let me start my review in the way I normally end them, a summary statement - Bridesmaids is one of the most genuinely funny, well written and well crafted comedies of the past few years. To say it’s a “great comedy starring women” is an insult - it’s just a damn good comedy. See it. Period.

Now, onto the rest of the review.

Bridesmaids is appropriately enough, the story of a group of bridesmaids.  Or more specifically, a Maid of Honor.  That’s our lead, Annie (Kristen Wiig, who also co-wrote the film). Annie is in a rough spot in life.  She’s got a “friend” with benefits who treats her like crap (a fantastically scummy turn from Jon Hamm), she has a failed business in her past (used to own a cake bakery, is now stuck working at a jewelry store), she lives in an apartment with a very odd British brother and sister and her mom’s kinda sorta…very crazy. Not in a quirky way. In a draws b-list celebrity portraits and goes to AA meetings even though she never drank kinda way.

If that wasn’t enough, Annie’s life long best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is now getting married.  From there Annie is thrust headlong into the world of being a maid of honor, serving alongside the titular bridesmaids: the super perfect Helen (Rose Byrne), the long married Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), the newly married Becca (Elle Kemper) and the odd woman out, Megan (Melissa McCarthy, in a star making role).

Many early reviews of the film have compared Bridesmaids to The Hangover.  I’d say that’s a rather unfair comparison. It just so happens that both movies surround weddings.  Sure, Bridesmaids has it’s vulgar and gross-out moments, but that’s where the comparisons end.  The movie is surprisingly well written, with fleshed out characters who you really feel like you could know.  Roles that could be easy stereotypes, such as classic trophywife Helen are given proper depth and unique quirks, making you feel like you sort of know these people by the end.  Melissa McCarthy’s character Megan could have easily been this movie’s version of Zach Galifinakis as Alan in The Hangover, however for all of Megan’s quirks and “bizarre” behavior, you never stop feeling like at some point in life you’ve known a girl just like her.  Someone with no filter, no fear and incredible confidence.

I also have to give a lot of credit to the writers for the character of Officer Nathan Rhodes (The IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd).  Seemingly on the onset a standard ‘handsome romantic lead with European accent’, his character is, again, given surprising depth, endearing quirks and I’d go so far as to saying he is one of the most accurately realized male romantic leads I’ve ever seen in film. He’s genuine, he’s flawed and he feels real.  He’s one of the films secret strengths, and I was really surprised by his performance.

I realize, I’m giving the movie a lot of credit scripting wise. Most comedies focus less on characters, more on comedic set pieces.  If you’re thinking that I’m glossing over the comedy out of lack of it on the screen, you’re quite wrong.  I’m actually trying to give as little away as possible. Hilarious antics fill the screen for most of the two hour runtime, and the humor never feels cheap, never feels unearned.  Genuine belly laughs are found here, right alongside the poop jokes, and I think there is something for every audience…provided they can deal with graphic language and sex gags along the way.

For all the praise I’ve heaped on the film, I must admit, it has it’s flaws. The afformentioned British brother and sister roommates for Annie, while initially hilarious, become creepy very fast, and almost feel like they come from an entirely different film.  I’m guessing the original cut of the movie (said to be 2 1/2 hours long, like all rough cut Apatow films) had more of them. And for as realized that Annie, Helen, Lillian, Megan and others are, the combination of the newlywed Becca and long-wed Rita feel a bit stereotypical.

But even with my complaints, I can’t stop feeling very excited about how much I genuinely enjoyed this movie. It’s a breath of fresh air, and for a movie I was anticipating enjoying, it surprised me how much that I did.  And I hope that you take the time to enjoy it too.

Male, female, single, couple, it doesn’t matter. Bridesmaids is a fantastic time at the theatre.  And stay through the credits. The stinger is a laugh riot.

It hits May 13th. See it.