Superbad: Original comedy from old ideas
August 26, 2007
Rating: 8 / 10
“Superbad” is essentially a two-hour movie filled with crude humor, underage drinking, drug use and the plight of three friends attempting to lose their virginity before they go to college.
At no point is the story watered down to appease those who may find some of the material offensive. The movie does not rely on its gross-out humor to move the story along (although it sure makes it more enjoyable). It relies on the awkwardness and the maturity of its three main characters.
Evan and Seth are two socially inept high school seniors. These two best friends are never at parties, but are ironically invited to a big end-of-the-year party. Things don’t go as planned as Fogell, their bizarre sidekick, gets picked up by two rambunctious cops and Evan and Seth set out to get alcohol by any means necessary.
Although the plot is simplistic, the uncanny dialogue practically mirrors the way teenagers talk. Much like “Knocked Up,” there are many pop culture references that the audience will connect with.
In the vein of other great teen comedies of our generation, there are plenty of jokes that will make you writhe in your seat.
The subject matter in “Superbad” will resonate with teenagers going through the same problems as the protagonists, but it will equally strike a nerve with an older audience who have journeyed through the strange abyss of being a teenager.
In a time where originality in Hollywood seems to be a thing of the past, a film with no big movie stars and a sophomoric story is the most entertaining and unique film to come out in quite a while.