Not my cup of tea but a good teen comedy nonetheless - 76%

Rating: 7/10 (2 June 2009)

I've never been a huge fan of the teen comedy genre, primarily because they are all essentially the same. Bunch of hopeless losers get together and have a wild, crazy adventure in search of sex, drugs and/or drink. "Superbad" sticks rigidly to this formula so in essence, this is no different to "American Pie", "Porkys", "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" or any other teen flick you could mention. But seeing as it features Hollywood's form actor - Seth Rogen - not only on screen but also on the screenplay, I figured that maybe this might have something to it. And to be fair, there are some laughs to be had and the unfamiliar cast certainly do themselves a power of good but personally, this isn't my cup of tea.
Best friends Seth (Johan Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) have been inseparable throughout high school and are preparing to spend their last few weeks together before separating for college. But after a chance invitation to a party, Seth hatches a plan for them to provide the party with enough booze in order for them to get it on with two girls (Martha MacIsaac & Emma Stone). Roping in fellow geek Foggell (newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and his fake ID, their plan quickly unravels after two inept cops (Rogen & Bill Hader), a homeless drunk and Foggell's bizarre new identity (McLovin) threaten to scupper their plans. Can they get hold of the booze? Can they get to the party and pop their cherry? And when will Hollywood change the record?
It's unfair to judge "Superbad" on sticking so close to the teen comedy stereotype because that's what it is - a teen comedy. So it's packed to the rafters with all the crude language, sex jokes and two dimensional eye candy in miniskirts you'll ever need. What "Superbad" has in reserve is what separates it from the seemingly never-ending supply of teen flicks spewing from Hollywood. First, it has a killer cast. They isn't a weak link in the chain anywhere, although all three leads are shown up by Rogen and Hader who are simply brilliant as the completely hopeless cops. There is also a surprisingly epic feel to the thing, like a juvenile "Lord Of The Rings" as their supposedly simply quest gets ever more convoluted and impossible. But there is also a sting in the tail, an ending that was not only heartfelt but plausible too.
So while it doesn't bring anything new to the party, "Superbad" is still welcome all the same. It wasn't the laughter-fest I was expecting but like I said, I'm not a fan of this type of film. If you enjoyed "American Pie" or any of its witless sequels then I suspect you'll get more out of this than I did. I just wish that something would come along and not rely on massive amounts of swearing and revolve around a bunch of losers trying to get laid - is that really too much to ask? Maybe "Pineapple Express" might appeal to me more but I'm not in any great rush to see that either. All I can say is give "Superbad" a chance but only if this sort of malarkey appeals to your teenage sense of humour.