SUPERBAD

Director: Greg Mottola
Stars: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader
Year: 2007
Rating: R

I had heard so much about this movie, it was nice to finally catch it on DVD. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera play, respectively, Seth and Evan - a pair of slacker high school seniors who've been lifelong best friends. It's their final year before going off to college, and the boys are trying to make it their most memorable - particularly because Evan will be leaving town for school, whereas Seth (who couldn't get in) will remain in a city college in town.

Evan just sort of wants to make it through the semester, and maybe actually get to date and/or bed his long-term crush, Becca (Martha MacIsaac). Seth, for his part, is obsessed with banging pretty much every girl he can get his hands on while school is still in session. When an opprtunity comes along for these two school misfits to actually attend a party thrown by the popular crowd, Seth can't jump ath the chance fast enough - of course, bringing Evan along for the ride, as only best friends can.

One problem - they have to bring the liquor (the reason they were invited in the first place). And to do so, Seth's only recourse is to ask yet a third nerd, Fogell (the hilariously funny Christopher Mintz-Plasse) - the only guy he knows with a fake I.D. - to buy the booze for them, in exchange for a golden invite to the party.

Everything, of course, goes horribly wrong from the moment Fogell - complete with his fake I.D., which lists his name simply as "McLovin"- enters the liquor store to buy the booze for the boys. And what happens there is only the beginning of the many disasters that befall the three friends all night long, in their efforts to simply show up at a party with the liquor they were given money to buy. Pretty much everythign that could go wrong does - but not always in ways you expect ...

And that's one of the best things about Superbad - it's not always what you expect. A film typical of its genre, at the same time Superbad is also well-written, well-acted, and ultimately has a heart. Hill, Cera and Mitnz-Plasse are ideally cast in the film, and most of the jokes not only work ... they're often laugh-out-loud funny. There's an intelligent script here, as well as well-rounded characters and a whole lot of belly laughs - all of which make Superbad a very funny ride, and its three leads very deserving breakout stars of the future. **** - Reel Awesome