Superbad
Directed by Greg Mottola
By Noel Dix

For fans of Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, it’s rewarding to see pretty much everyone involved with those projects enjoying the success of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. One of the reasons why those projects were so good was Seth Rogen; Rogen has quickly become one of the funniest individuals currently in film. Rogen penned Superbad and plays a supporting role as a police officer, which means that even though it’s not quite up to Judd Apatow’s level, it has plenty of the same flavour and earns its R-rating.

Brampton’s finest, Michael Cera, plays the timid Evan, whose best friend is the incredibly obnoxious Seth (Jonah Hill). Seth is unbearable at times, but the balance is perfect and you’re quickly convinced these two are close. Maybe too close, as they suffer when they’re not around each other. And their separation anxiety gets put to the test when they go through an entire night of ups and downs while trying to score booze to bring to a cute girl’s house party. Enter Fogell and his fake ID (“McLovin”), who gets caught up in an armed robbery then spends the rest of the night driving around with the slacker cops played by Seth Rogen and Bill Hader, which makes for some of the film’s best scenes.

The movie splits in two as the friends are separated but only gets better. The story and the one-liners are sharp, running the gauntlet of obstacles while marinating a quick pace. However, Superbad goes beyond the “getting to the party” plot early on and a new batch of possibilities open up. And miraculously, the “McLovin” joke never runs thin.

The projects that Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow have worked on have been some of the best TV shows and comedies in years. Another product of premature cancellation is Michael Cera, who’s charming with his awkwardness but could become a leading star. Superbad is touching, hysterical and revolting; it’s comedy at its finest. (Sony)
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