In a genre typically ruled by males, ‘Bridesmaids’ is a nice big slap in the face. The film utilizes the same comedic formula as the majority of other comedies out there, but in much better ways; it’s not changing up the genre, it’s merely a much better attempt. Through the collaboration of a comedic mastermind such as Judd Apatow, SNL cast members, and a director comfortable with the genre, ‘Bridesmaids’ succeeds on many levels!

Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) is a struggling, middle-aged woman who’s bakery had just gone under, lives with a pair of odd British siblings, and is the “emotional” and “sexual slave” to a man named Ted (Jon Hamm). Lillian (Maya Rudolf), Annie’s best friend since childhood, is getting married and she’s asked Annie to be her Maid of Honor. Of course, Annie accepts the job, which leads her to meet up with the other bridesmaids, a diverse bunch they are.

The four other bridesmaids include: a wife and mother of three sons, Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey); a young newlywed, Becca (Ellie Kemper); the sister of the groom, Megan (Melissa McCarthy); and the wealthy “other” best friend, Helen (Rose Byrne). The five bridesmaids and Lillian go through hilarious and zany situations as they all prepare for Lillian’s big day. Their adventure ranges from a plane trip to Las Vegas gone wrong, to food poisining and gross-out humor inside a bridal store.

Now, when other comedies use gross humor (and many of them do), they’re usually done in bad taste and are usually not funny. But with ‘Bridesmaids’, the situation that involves gross-out humor is actually humorous. Not because seeing the main cast of women throwing up and crapping is funny (and it is funny in the film), but because Kristen Wiig’s wonderfully uncomfortable performance in the specific scene is so great! Weird as this may sound (until you actually see the film), but this gross-out scene wonderfully showcases Wiig’s comedic, as well as acting, chops.

The great thing about ‘Bridesmaids’ is that not only does it have many laugh-out-loud moments, but many of its comedic scenes are lengthy and continuous. Most comedies have a joke, and then they move onto a new joke, and again, and again. With ‘Bridesmaids’, it has quite a few lengthy and drawn-out comedic scenes, such as the competing speeches between Annie and Helen’s characters. The humor of this scene is perfectly-timed and it’s funny pretty much the whole way through, whereas a lesser film would have have tired it out. The plane scene has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as the cut-scenes involve Annie attempting to catch the cop’s attention.

Speaking of the cop, Officer Nathan Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd) is a great character. Rhodes is the love interest to Annie, and O’Dowd effectively brings out all the charm in his character.

‘Bridesmaids’ has been compared a lot to 2009’s ‘The Hangover’, to which it’s been called “the female version” of. Yes, the two films do have a lot in common, and both are definitely smarter and better than the average comedy. In ‘Bridesmaids” case, this could partially be attributed to producer Judd Apatow’s (‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Get Him to the Greek’, ‘Step Brothers’, ‘Superbad’ & ‘Knocked Up’) experience with the genre. ‘Bridesmaids’ is typical Apatow in its nearly 2-hour running time, which is great because it allows time for great character and plot development, as well as room for plenty of jokes. Director Paul Feig has plenty of experience with comedies, specifically on television shows such as ‘The Office’ and ‘Freaks and Geeks’. SNL-cast members Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolf definitely contribute to the film’s humor, and Wiig even co-wrote ‘Bridesmaids” great script!

The cast of ‘Bridesmaids’ is a wonderful one with many talented actors and actresses, even if they are comedians or not. Jon Hamm (‘Mad Man’) is absolutely perfect as the grade-A douchebag of a character in Ted. The character’s treatment of Annie is so horrible that it makes you feel for her even more. Rose Byrne (‘Insidious’) is great as the beautiful and rich Helen, and she’s the perfect opponent to Wiig’s down-in-the-dumps character. Of all the women in the film, however, the one who steals the most scenes has to be Melissa McCarthy, who portrays Megan. McCarthy is absolutely hilarious, but she is also the epitome of “strength” and “courage” in the film. There’s a very memorable scene in the film’s third act involving Megan giving Annie a helpful speech/life lesson, and it’s wonderful.

‘Bridesmaids’ is the funniest film of 2011 so far. It’s a film that proves a chick-flick doesn’t have to be melodramatic, sappy, or just plain terrible. Women can be just as foul-mouthed, irresponsible, and party animals as their male counterparts. With plenty of laughs, as well as heart, ‘Bridesmaids’ succeeds as a great comedic film and starring vehicle for Kristen Wiig.

Three and a half out of four Kents.

Extra Notes:

• The tennis scene in ‘Bridesmaids’ is short, but extremely funny!

• I’ve never noticed how great of a body Kristen Wiig has for her age!

• ‘Bridesmaids’ is released just two weeks before ‘The Hangover: Part II’. I’m hoping it makes a lot of money, as it definitely deserves to. And I’m hoping no one forgets about ‘Bridesmaids’ once the sequel to ‘The Hangover’ comes out!

• In the film, Lillian’s fiance’s name is Doug. In ‘The Hangover’, the groom’s name is Doug. Coincidence!?!? I dunno…