RUNNING TIME: 1 hr. 54 min.
RATED: R - crude and sexual content, language, drinking,
drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image
CAST: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse,
Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
DIRECTOR: Greg Mottola
GENRE: Teen Movie, Sex Comedy, Buddy Film, Comedy
Yeah, yeah I know this is insanely late, but I have kids and now I’m freelancing on a different planet known as Naperville. That’s a story unto itself. But the good news (at least for me and my 3 readers, is that I am back in the saddle).
And ready to review.
Uh, even the late ones.
First up, Superbad. Superbad is supergood! – Rex Reed would be proud of that line I think.
From the moment the old Columbia Pictures logo fades up and old super funk group the Bar Kays hits it with the song, Too Hot to Stop, along with dancing silhouettes of main characters Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), I was sucked in.
Superbad tells the story of high school teens and life-long best friends, Seth (an overweight, loud, horny Jewish kid) and Evan, smart, nerdy, quiet and just as horny. Nearing the end of their high school career, both are seeking to move on to the next level – getting laid. In fact, not since Stiffler and Jason Biggs had sex with a pie in American Pie have I seen two hornier characters. How horny? Seth looking at Evan’s mom before they drive off to school.
SETH: Dude I am jealous that you got to suck on your those tits.
EVAN: Yeah I guess it’s better than sucking your dad’s dick.
The problem is Seth and Evan and their annoying friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) are never invited to parties…never get to hang with the cool girls and guys.
They’re geeks. And I can relate, because I wasn’t always the cool suave guy you know today. I was Seth and Evan.
Evan is a attracted to a girl, Becca, played by Martha MacIssac, but doesn’t know how to talk to her. And Seth has a hard-on, literally, for a hot chick, Jules, played by Emma Stone. When Jules tells Seth she’s throwing a party and needs booze, Seth volunteers. Of course he and Evan can’t get booze – they’re teens. Enter Fogell, who has a fake ID. His new name, McLovin’. From Hawaii! Ha. I need to see the movie again just to hear the guys’ reaction to his name. I was laughing too hard the first time.
Seth and Evan reluctantly put their trust in McLovin’ and go to the liquor store. And that’s where it gets bananas. There’s a robbery while McLovin’ is buying the booze and next thing you know he’s off and running with two crazy cops played by Seth Rogan (also the writer) and Bill Hader. Meanwhile Seth and Evan are off on their own adventures at various parties, still trying to get booze. Kind of like how all the characters split in The Empire Strikes Back.
The night becomes one night of overcoming one hurdle after another to get the booze and get to the girls of their dreams.
For all its sex jokes and outrageous humor, there is a certain sweetness to Superbad. It is about friendship and what it means. And, quite frankly, the anxiety of leaving it behind…for college or a girlfriend. The people behind The Forty-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up – Judd Apatow, Seth Rogan and Greg Mottola – have become experts at creating outrageously funny stuff while somehow weaving in deep meaning underneath. The last shot of the movie (which I won’t spoil) sums it up. It is poignant, sweet and sour. And scary.
But isn’t that what high school was for all of us?
FOUR BALL POINT PENS