Watch: Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez preggers in 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' trailer

Star-studded cast includes Brooklyn Decker, Chris Rock and Elizabeth Banks

By Dave Lewis Saturday, Dec 10, 2011 2:44 PM

I think you all know what to expect from the new trailer for "What to Expect When You're Expecting," the romantic comedy based on the pregnancy guidebook of the same name.

Inspired by the bestseller by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Maze, "Expecting" tells the interweaving stories of five couples who face the many challenges adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood.

In the vein of "New Year's Day," the film features an all-star cast including (deep lamaze-style breath): Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone, Thomas Lennon and Joe Manganiello.

All those stars crack wise about being pregnant, giving birth and/or caring for young babies exclusively for two minutes or so. If that appeals to you, there's a lot to recommend in the trailer. Others beware.

Kirk Jones ("Waking Ned") directed the film from a script by Shauna Cross ("Whip It"), but most of the trailer's gags fall flat, and Banks looks like she's going way over-the-top. It doesn't look all that different from the average episode of "Up All Night."

Also, trailers using the phrase "Welcome to (insert noun here), Bitch" have got to try harder.

"Expecting" is courting the Mother's Day crowd, opening nationwide May 11, 2012.

What did you think of the trailer? Grade it at the top of the story.

Dave Lewis
Producer

Dave Lewis has been a Los Angeles-based entertainment writer and editor for nearly ten years. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, he moved to L.A. in 1996 to attend USC, before working for various periodicals and web sites including a lengthy stint at Variety.com. He joined the HitFix staff in 2011.