Superbad

I have a running list of films that I’ve enjoyed but can’t recommend to most people. I don’t want young kids going to R rated films, even though most will find a way regardless. I love American Beauty, but there are some scenes that are a little disturbing. I laugh a lot during Kevin Smith films but the movie contains too many lewd or extreme scenes for the casual viewer. Superbad, like Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin before it, is another one of these movies. The film is rated 18A; and for good reason. Surprisingly enough, there is not much nudity; unless, of course you count the illustrated kind, in which there is a disturbingly large amount. The rating is clearly connected to the language, especially the descriptions of sex and other sexual activities. While it is somewhat shocking to hear that kind of talk for major chunks of the film, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that many teenage guys talk this way regularly. The makers of Superbad are shooting for some sense of realism, which is probably heightened a bit for maximum laughs.

What makes this film work so well are the performances of the gifted young actors. In previous blogs, I have complimented the fine work of Jonah Hill (Accpeted, Evan Almighty, Knocked Up), and he again does not disappoint. Hill plays the part of Seth passionately as he tries to get some sex before graduation. His determination is a little scary at times, but he offsets it beautifully with some great comedic timing. Hill is definitely the most crass of the bunch; most of the crude descriptions come pouring out of his mouth at an exponential rate. What’s even better than watching Hill, however, is seeing Michael Cera take the spotlight. Cera played George Michael on Arrested Development and was great at throwing in some hysterical quiet lines amidst the chaos while maintaining his geeky awkwardness. Those qualities are put centerstage in Superbad. Cera plays Evan, a kid who does not seem comfortable in his own skin. He plays the awkwardness like a pro but also manages to have an innocent playfulness about him. It is great fun to watch this kid try to be the mature and moral center of this group of outcasts.

Along with Hill and Cera, we get the B-story involving newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fogell who gets busted using his McLovin fake Id and spends the night riding along with two inept cops played by Bill Hader and Seth Rogen. The scenes are over-the-top and nonsensical but are still funny thanks to these gifted comedians. Rogen plays his usual bumbling character and Hader is tapping into his stupidly cocky persona but Mintz-Plasse steals the show with his energy and great one-liners as the geekiest of geeks trying to play it cool.

Superbad is basically a raunchier version of American Pie and Dumb & Dumber. The audience has seen these types of storylines before but Superbad puts a fresh spin on the material. The Dumb & Dumber police story is not all that inventive but the American Pie-style party story is a bit different in that it has some heart. Superbad is produced by Judd Apatow who insists on adding some seriousness and morality to his crude comedies. In 40 Year Old Virign, Steve Carrell waits til marriage, in Knocked Up, Seth Rogen learns responisibility, and in Superbad, sex and drunkenness do not go hand in hand. Of all these recent comedies, I would say that Superbad has the least heart; the producers try for the moral highground, but you have to wade through a lot more rude jokes to get there. However, the relationship between Seth and Evan is well-written and does evoke some empathy as the film progresses. You do find yourself invested in their relationship, which is a good thing.

So should see this movie? If you’ve enjoyed 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, I don’t see why you wouldn’t like Superbad. If you are easily offended by crude sexual talk, you should probably avoid this movie like the plague. This one is definitely going on my running list. If you love the movie, you’re welcome; if you’re offended, you were warned.