Superbad (2007)

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There is usually one comedy each year that stands out head and shoulders above the rest. 2003: Bad Santa. 2004: Napolean Dynamite. 2005: 40 Year Old Virgin. 2006: Borat. 2007: Superbad. The sick masterminds at Apatow Productions (Anchorman, Virgin, Talladega Nights) have one-upped themselves yet again. After releasing the hilarious Knocked Up earlier this year, they have delivered the comedy of the year; a laugh out loud, endlessly quotable comedy timepiece that is non-stop funny. Superbad, which takes place in one day, is about two high school buddies' quest to party and get lucky one last time (or first time) before graduation. Of course this has been done before (American Pie), but never as funny or honest in depicting normal, everyday kids. Seth Rogen, who starred in Knocked Up and began writing this movie at age 13 in 1995, has brilliantly captured what it felt like to come of age in the late 90s and early 21st century. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are cast perfect as best friends and deliver vulgar and profane dialogue like the camera just happened to catch one of their real conversations. Rogen, alongside SNL veteran Bill Hader, play two of the most memorable cops in film comedy, but Christopher Mintz-Plasse is the breakthrough star of Superbad. Mintz-Plasse plays Fogell (who has more than one alias), the lovable nerd on a bad streak. These characters encounter some unlikely events that on second-thought aren't that implausible when booze and girls are in demand. Superbad is genius for showcasing average people. There is no Chris Klein, Tara Reid, or Lindsay Lohan, and none of the actors will be modeling between this and their next movie, not even the token hot girls. The dialogue is hysterical but real, and the plot is surprising but mostly feasible. This is a comedy with more wiener jokes than one could even think is possible, but also genuinely delves into insecurity, first time experiences, and the bond between best friends. Anyone can relate to either Evan or Seth, or maybe even Fogell, and most people have experienced some or all of the feelings they portray. The film runs a little long at nearly two hours and could have been ten or fifteen minutes shorter, but the dry spots are only slightly less hilarious than the side-splitting bouts of laughter. Whether you’re in your 20s and watch in rememberance of similar adolescent experiences or in your teens and watch to learn how to be cool yourself, Superbad is the definitive film of what it felt like to grow up in the early 21st century.

Good For: a date, the 16-30 year old demographic, the young at heart

Bad For: those who are easily offended by four letter words and genitalia

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