Issue date: 8/13/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Handout photo/Columbia Pictures/MCT Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, left), Seth (Jonah Hill, center), and Evan (Michael Cera, right) star in Columbia Pictures' Superbad. [Click to enlarge]

From the geniuses behind Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin, comes Superbad, a hilarious comedy filling in the end of a packed summer movie season.

The script is genius; it's only made funnier by the improvisation of the cast who are all comedic experts. The best part of the script though is that it is so true to real life.

There are so many situations and issues in the film that high school teens inevitably encounter and to which they can relate. Getting alcohol. Attending the cool kid's party. Wanting to get laid. Dealing with friends going to separate colleges. Mostly, just trying to be accepted by peers. All of these important teen issues are palpable in the film. This movie is a great way to look back on those fun and even awkward times that most adolescents experience at one point or another - and then laugh at them.

Emerging into theaters at the perfect time since most of the big guns have been out long enough to allow this smaller production to flourish, Superbad is everything one expected.

The movie follows goofy high school seniors Evan, played by Michael Cera, Seth, played by Jonah Hill and Fogell, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, as they embark on a day-long journey to score alcohol and get laid.

Along the way, the duo encounters two irresponsible but fun-loving cops, Officer Slater played by Bill Hader and Officer Michaels, played by Seth Rogen, and a host of other odd characters like bums, frat dudes, and a wanted man.

Rogen wrote this movie with his friend, Evan Goldberg, while they were still in high school. Rogen originally had himself in mind to play the part of Seth, but since he has aged since the movie was written, the role went to Hill, who is quickly becoming a star in Hollywood. You may remember him from Accepted where he was dressed as a big hotdog and Knocked Up where he was one of Rogen's character slacker friends. His sarcasm in those movies and in this one is what makes him so funny.

Michael Cera of Arrested Development plays Evan, Seth's best friend. He is a master of awkward situations. You'll find yourself flinching a lot during his conversations with his crush Becca, played by Martha MacIsaac. But despite it being tough to watch him flounder, it is very hilarious. Sadly it reminded me of myself a lot.

Superbad is an excellent way to end the summer. It's certainly one of, if not the best, comedies of the year so far; unless you're older, in which case you might enjoy Knocked Up more, it's a little less juvenile.

So go spend your money on Superbad, but be careful because it will be hard not to watch it several times. Superbad gets 5 out of 5 stars, it deserves it.

Luke Soin can be reached at lsoin@statehornet.com

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