Superbad

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 18, 2007

Superbad is another installment from the Apatow Express. Apatow and his comedy troupe are steamrolling through Hollywood and giving fans a wakeup call with every fresh, new, original comedy they have to throw at us. Forget what you think you know about the teen sex comedy, and go see Superbad. After seeing Superbad, American Pie just looks like a crude and insincere joke, anything from John Hughes looks like its been dated by about 40 years and screw Phoebe Cates or Tom Cruise. Go see Superbad.

The story is as old as life itself: The pursuit of intercourse. Two best friends Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill) are both high school seniors on the cusp of graduation. All they really want is the girls of their dreams, and to be popular. This may seem like any cliche teen movie, but you’d be wrong if you thought it. This is mostly a story about being young, enjoying your friendships and finding someone to care about. Most importantly, this is a story about doing all of those the right way.

Jonah Hill has been like David, walking into high energy comedies and stealing the show from Goliath’s grasp. Who would have ever thought that in a movie like The 40 Year Old Virgin, most audiences would be talking about the goldfish boots kid? He can’t be stopped, and I’m completely convinced that his next step should be a Rodney Dangerfield biopic. Jonah Hill alone makes this a good movie, but its the addition of Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse that make this film unforgettable.

Cera commands each one of his solo scenes like a seasoned veteran, delivering his lines with the cadence and anxiety of any great straight man. Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who plays Fogell, may just be the next Jonah Hill. He provides most of the film’s comic relief, and mostly at his charachter’s own expense. Fogell is the link to a pair of crazy policeman named Slater (Bill Hader) and Michaels (Seth Rogen). The officers provide some good laughs that fill the gaps between our protagonist’s scenes. Keep in mind, that’s like saying that while the Chicago Bulls scored 100 points…Michael Jordan filled the gaps with 50 of his own. Rogen and Hader bring a much more adult feel to the screen, but also add fuel to the adolescent fire that makes this film smolder with laughter.

Following these teens on their journey makes Superbad the comedy of the year. Until I find another film this year that makes me cry from laughter and features a drawing of Mr. T as a penis, i assure you that I will not retract that statement. Also, make sure you stay during the credits folks.

The Upside: The comedy of the year, illustrations that you will never forget.

The Downside: Home Economics teachers beware.

On The Side: This is the film debut of Christopher Mintz-Plasse (”McLovin”).

Read more articles by Brian C. Gibson