Juno is a movie that could have been terrible. It could have become a trite melodrama, a political soapbox, or a shallow series of repetitious pregnancy jokes. But a wit-filled script, sharp writing, and unique voice propel Juno toward greatness.

There is intelligence behind Juno's script that most teen movies tend to lack. The dialogue is laden with dry, quirky humor. Most of the characters are well-developed and are at least mildly interesting, and the story arc is strong enough to keep the audience interested throughout.

The core topic is the increasingly widespread issue of teenage pregnancy. The eponymous Juno (named after the Greek/Roman goddess) discovers she is pregnant (her initial testing and denial is one of the funnier scenes). After flirting with the idea of an abortion, she decides to have the baby and pass the burden on to a rich set of parents that can't conceive. Of course, being pregnant causes a bit of trouble for Juno's lifestyle, straining her relationship with her boyfriend and classmates. It seems simple in summary format, but watching the smaller details and events unfold is what makes Juno interesting.

Pacing isn't usually cited as a film's core strength, but Juno is kept afloat by it. It doesn't dwell to long on a specific aspect of the tale to provide additional melodrama. Instead Juno uses time to subtly deliver its themes and character development. No moment feels like it's dragging along. Some of the strongest sentiments in Juno are in what is unsaid.

The cast has been well chosen: Ellen Paige and Michael Cera bring a lot of personality to the core duo, and Jason Bateman and Jennifer Gardener are surprisingly believable as a desperate wealthy couple.

In short, Juno is more than worthy of the price admission, especially for the fans of the comedic or dramatic. Just try not to get your date pregnant.