It's tough to write high school drama. Take a look at one of the most successful, immortally awesome series ever produced, "Dawson's Creek." The engaging and sexually laced conversations tantalized audiences (will Dawson and Joey ever get together?) but unfortunately, no one in high school possesses a similar lexicon.
To be honest, it was probably some of the most unrealistic dialogue ever composed between two high school mates. Plus, James Van Der Beek was about 47 years old at the time, and who actually believes that Katie Holmes would have a hard time finding a prom date?
Realistically capturing the awkwardness and insecurity that follows the hormones of an 18-year-old is truly a challenge. And when they get the balance right, too often characters become one-dimensional paper cutouts. But Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, writers of Superbad, manage to dodge these pitfalls with ease, and create a vulgar, hilarious, and ultimately, realistic portrayal of high school boys dealing with their insecurities.
The end of high school is fast approaching for two high school best friends, Seth (Jonah Hill, Knocked Up) and Evan (Michael Cera, "Arrested Development"). These two geeks face separation after graduation, but before they reach commencement, embark on one last journey to rid themselves of their virginity. With the help of Fogell (newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and his fake ID, they venture out to buy enough liquor to thoroughly intoxicate their love interests in order to obtain the coveted "regret hook-up."
While it may sound like a page from your senior prom experience, Superbad pushes new boundaries with the way it captures the insecurities of high school boys with vulgar, charming surprise. It's only one day in the lives of these young men, whose level of sexual fantasies make porn stars seem like PTA board members, and whose crass language make pirates sound like school girls. They think with their penises, and find themselves in ridiculously fantastic situations in order to satisfy their, um, needs.
Fogell's fake I.D. and alias, McLovin ("it was either that or Mohammed,") take him on an adventure with two joy riding cops. Seth, desperate to procure some alcohol, goes so far as to fills two containers of Tide with stolen beer, before getting into a fight because of the period stain on his leg (don't ask). Outside of the main story arc, there are plenty of bits that keep it fresh: the penis-drawing fiasco is priceless, and some of Seth and Evan's more homoerotic scenes will leave you rolling on the floor.
All three young actors portrayed their characters on all sorts of levels of marvelous and bittersweet expertise. Hill perfectly captures the way Seth hides his insecurity through his explicit language and openly expressing his deviant sexual fantasies. Cera shows real depth as the awkward student plagued by the nice-guy-syndrome. But Mintz-Plasse steals the show as super-geek Fogell, who finally comes out of his shell as the liquored up, badass McLovin.
Superbad moves in plenty of surprising and witty directions, that'll leave you choking on overpriced popcorn as you wonder how the writers thought up their material.
There are some who consider the vulgarity excessive, but sad as it may be, it's one of the closest portrayals to high school in a long time. Did writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg get the high school drama exactly right? Probably not, but it was pretty damn close.
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill
Directed by: Greg Mottola
Rating: R
