What it's about:
Best friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) reach the end of their high school careers, and face being sent to different colleges. They decide to go out with a bang by losing their virginity at an end of school party. Aided by supernerd Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and his fake ID, they set off to buy the booze for the party and get the girls.
What we thought of it:
Superbad is nothing new – a teen comedy focusing on sex, drinking, and best friends. But before you groan inwardly and dismiss it, you should know that it's one of the funniest laugh-out-loud films to come along since Knocked Up.
The writing (courtesy of Knocked Up's star Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberf) is far sharper and the jokes more abundant than films like American Pie, and it keeps the laughter to a maximum. Brilliant set pieces like the discussion of Fogell's choice of name for his fake ID, and Seth's insult laden plea to his home economics teacher have more in common with the pop culture savvy wit of The Simpsons and Family Guy than anything puke or fart-related. Not to say there are no gross gags, but the focus shifts mainly between touching buddy movie material and ludicrous setups while maintaining the witty banter.
This constant shifting is the film's one weakness. The emotional impact of Seth and Evan's friendship is lost in the clamour of police chases and coke snorting psychos. The dialogue is best when it remains faithful to what a horny and insecure nerd would say. Luckily the cast manage to remain in character and there are very few scenes which fall completely flat.
By no means perfect, Superbad is, however, a very funny film with far deeper characters than most teen comedies. If you'd like to see something that combines sharp wit with over the top shenanigans but also has a heart, you'll strike the jackpot with this film.
- Ivan Sadler
Best friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) reach the end of their high school careers, and face being sent to different colleges. They decide to go out with a bang by losing their virginity at an end of school party. Aided by supernerd Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and his fake ID, they set off to buy the booze for the party and get the girls.
What we thought of it:
Superbad is nothing new – a teen comedy focusing on sex, drinking, and best friends. But before you groan inwardly and dismiss it, you should know that it's one of the funniest laugh-out-loud films to come along since Knocked Up.
The writing (courtesy of Knocked Up's star Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberf) is far sharper and the jokes more abundant than films like American Pie, and it keeps the laughter to a maximum. Brilliant set pieces like the discussion of Fogell's choice of name for his fake ID, and Seth's insult laden plea to his home economics teacher have more in common with the pop culture savvy wit of The Simpsons and Family Guy than anything puke or fart-related. Not to say there are no gross gags, but the focus shifts mainly between touching buddy movie material and ludicrous setups while maintaining the witty banter.
This constant shifting is the film's one weakness. The emotional impact of Seth and Evan's friendship is lost in the clamour of police chases and coke snorting psychos. The dialogue is best when it remains faithful to what a horny and insecure nerd would say. Luckily the cast manage to remain in character and there are very few scenes which fall completely flat.
By no means perfect, Superbad is, however, a very funny film with far deeper characters than most teen comedies. If you'd like to see something that combines sharp wit with over the top shenanigans but also has a heart, you'll strike the jackpot with this film.
- Ivan Sadler