“Superbad”
“Superbad” is pretty damn funny, let’s get that out of the way. It takes a very old idea, the high school movie, and injects it with some freshness. If you aren’t offended by the language, you will laugh quite a few times, and the touching friendship between Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) is genuine, making “Superbad” a little more than just funny, but perhaps its genre limitations keep it from becoming a great film.
“Superbad” then, is the story of one day in the lives of Seth and Evan. The two are best friends, have been for awhile. They are also high school seniors, just a week or so away from graduating. And they are also, surprise, nerds, Seth also having a weight issue. There’s another problem. Best friends since youth, the two are about to be separated because while Evan was accepted to Dartmouth, Seth was not. They haven’t fully resolved how this makes them both feel, but other things are on their mind, namely sex; they don’t want to go to college unprepared. When their third, perhaps even geekier friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) gets a fake id, Seth sees a chance for he and Evan to impress Becca and Jules by supplying Jules’ party with alcohol. Of course, havoc ensues, assured when we find out that Fogell’s Hawaii ID says he is a 26 year old named MClovin. I won’t ruin any of the jokes, but eventually Fogell will have his own plot, involving two cops (one played by Seth Rogen who co-wrote this film) and a fair, in fact it could be said, more than its fair share of laughs.
“Superbad” has a message in their as all these silly comedies do, and like most comedies, its message is sometimes realistic and sometimes a stretch. While often outrageous in its plotting, what keeps “Superbad” funny is its raunchy and realistic dialogue. “Superbad” is produced by Judd Aptow (writer-director, “40 year old virgin”), the godfather of funny these days, and this one comes just on the heels of the massive hit “Knocked Up” which starred this film’s co-writer Seth Rogen. The similarities are there. The conversations take place longer that they should or would in most movies, and that is where these things really take off. I also like the way that the filmmakers use 70’s funk and soul music as a backdrop, it’s counterpoint to our heroes’ lack of cool just flat out works, perhaps because good music is always just that (the opening title sequence is very very cool as well). I have deliberately refrained from relaying any gags or jokes-that is the joy of the film and in fact it is a shame that the preview gives away a few of the best ones.
“Superbad” is solid in concept and execution. The one day film has been done, and in high school, but “Superbad” avoids many other high school film clichés. For example, while it does have a small high school villain type moment (and yes, with a payoff) it is so minor that I almost forgot it. And it takes its characters in places we might not expect, which, yes, leads to message time, but it also leads to a greater endearment for these characters. And the three leads are very good, charming in their expressions and their innocence as well as their comic timing.
If anything bad can be said about “Superbad” it is perhaps that it might not be memorable. In fact, with the flooding of the market with Aptowesque humor, the raunchy, realistic, conversational flow may dry up rather quick. “40 year old virgin” had a concept. So did “Knocked Up.” “Superbad” is only a high school movie, though it’s the smartest and funniest one to come along in a while.
Story: B Geeky, loveable high schoolers, one day in their lives.
Acting: B- Sometimes Johan Hill annoys me with his yelling.
Visuals: B- It’s a comedy, but it’s not a film that is shot in a way that reminds me of brainless, cookie cutter studio films.
Originality/Innovation: B- Funny, but not so original.
Enjoyability Grade: A- Very enjoyable, funny, recognizable, sweet.
Overall Grade: B I laughed a lot but have forgotten the film rather quickly.
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