If you've left me a rating on either my Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus or In the Valley of Elah reviews...
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Best friends Evan and Seth have to face the prospect of leaving high school and going to different colleges. They plan to go out with a bang by going to one final party and hoping they get lucky with some of their female classmates. But things are never that easy; first they have to get hold of some booze. Then there's the small matter of their geeky acquaintance Fogel tagging along and a couple of strange local cops who are determined to prove how cool they are. Who would have thought learning to be independent would be so hard?
From the same stable that created "Knocked Up" and "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" comes this riotous romp of politically incorrect but strangely warm-hearted teen comedy. Director Greg Mottola re-teams with his "Undeclared" mates to create a highly improbable but emotionally truthful movie that has a far higher gag ratio and much more near-the-knuckle humour than any other high school movie I have ever seen. The visuals are bright and shiny; quite a bit of money has clearly been spent on the film, though it feels like it's gone more on the cast than the anonymous locations. There are perhaps a few too many montages as Mottola makes the most of Jonah Hill's improvisations as Seth, a dodgy Saturday night out and Seth's unfortunate childhood affliction. He makes the controversial decision to cast actors who actually look like they might actually be at high school; so there are lots of gawky, spindly and fat people who don't appear to have quite grown into their faces or bodies yet. It adds a layer of
authenticity often missing from this kind of film. The movie captures the essence of what it's like to be a teenager; the desperate need to be grown up and the attendant neuroses that come from not quite knowing what you're doing. There's a lovely scene where Seth drunkenly confesses how he feels about Evan, before the inevitable discomfort of the sobered-up morning after.
You get the impression the film's going to be a bit quirky from the opening credits that have the leads dancing to 70s' funk in silhouette. This is followed through by underlining that most of the characters are a little left of centre. But Mottola allows them to develop naturally and lets them remain human instead of just being comic constructs. That's not to say the film isn't funny - it's hilarious in places and in spite of the high gag ratio, there's a lot of warmth to temper the gags, so you feel for the characters. The jokes come thick and fast and though sometimes in questionable taste, the director's timing can't be faulted. He nails the gag and moves along, safe in the knowledge another will be along shortly. The pacing is sharp and there's no time to get bored during the always entertaining hundred-and-fourteen minute running time.
The screenplay by cast member Seth Rogen and his former "Da Ali G Show" writing partner Evan Goldberg is apparently based on them as teenagers. They haven't even bothered to change the names of the lead characters. But this could be why the film feels so truthful in so many ways; because the writers know the players inside out. As a result they are the most fully-formed of the characters, whereas the police officers are more fanciful and Fogel is closer to a handy stereotype. But the film works because there's a good balance of real characters in way-out situations. No matter what the event, the players' reactions to it are realistic (usually involving lots of swearing and running away). Consequently you feel for them as they try to work their way out of whatever mess they've got themselves into. It is perhaps pushing credibility that so much happens in a single day and night, but this keeps the pace chugging swiftly along and allows for a great deal of comedy. A lot of the comedy comes in slightly tangential conversations that feel like they occur spontaneously. The jokes cover character and situation comedy, with plenty of room for observational humour and some gross-out gags. The dialogue is snappily written, and loaded with expletives and one-liners. Among my favourites is the assertion that one of the characters "look[s] like a future paedophile" or one of the police officer's comments that "If the man had ejaculated and then punched you in the face, then we'd have a real chance of catching him!"
Rising star Jonah Hill is beautifully cast as the foul-mouthed Seth. I've seen him in quite a few films recently and he has a tendency to overdo the comic aspects of characters. But here he pitches the part just right. He's initially very unlikeable because he is angry, shouty, sex-obsessed, inappropriate, selfish and sarcastic. But his problems seem to stem from a believable inner place and insecurities, so it works and you can feel for him. Michael Cera is Hill's polar opposite in terms of looks and attitudes as Evan. He's the skinny, sensitive one prone to nervous talking and being a bit nerdy. But he's also sensible and genuine so he's the one you really feel for throughout because you know he has to cope with his best mate all the time.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse is a real find as gangsta-speaking über-geek Fogel. He looks the part as he is pasty, scrawny, bespectacled and has a lisp. But he's also very natural in front of the camera and has good comic timing and a firm grasp on physical comedy. I hope to see more from him. Seth Rogen and Bill Hader are tremendously good value as police officers Michaels and Slater respectively. They have great chemistry with each other, making the most of their screen-time, bouncing off one another and lighting up the screen. Rogen is the irresponsible, clueless one, at home with abusing his position and being a sci-fi geek, while Hader is the nerdier of the two. Essentially the pairing shows how Seth and Evan are likely to turn out.
The original music by Lyle Workman is somewhat unusual in that he has written a score for a high school movie that isn't loaded with crunching guitar riffs. Instead we are treated to a great deal of brassy funk with lots of slap bass and wock-a-chocking guitars. It shouldn't work but somehow it does, acting as an amusing adjunct to the main action without overpowering it. We're also saved the usual grab-bag of of-the-moment hits and instead get brief snatches of "Panama" and a harp-led version of "PS I Love You".
"Superbad" is a film that revels in what it's like to be a teenager without papering over the nasty bits, the crushing embarrassments and social ineptitude. The characters feel true to life even if the whirlwind of weird situations they find themselves in is a bit contrived. Greg Mottola's direction is capable, the writing is sharp and the performances committed and believable. It's fast-paced and funny but filthy. It's not a film for those of a sensitive disposition, but if you're a fan of crude humour or you've ever been or known a teenage boy, then you'll probably enjoy this movie on some level.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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I don't like comedy films as a rule, and American comedy films especially, but I was pleasantly surprised by this... surprisingly heart-warming and tender... you did it justice with this review... good work, D
patriciat 16.01.2009 22:57
I don't think anyone comes close to yours when it comes to film reviews. Just sorry I always seem to be catching up and can't rate as highly as they all deserve. Pat.t x
Superbad, for many, was the surprise hit of the year. Yet when you consider the comedy ... more
pedigree sitting behind the camera, perhaps its not that much of a turn up. Director Greg Mottola, for instance, cut his teeth on episodes ofArrested Developmentand ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
![Superbad (Theatrical Cut) [DVD] [2007]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/77912280.jpg "Superbad (Theatrical Cut) [DVD] [2007]")
Jan 10th, 2009
exceptional by (22%):
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