Superbad (2007)
Teen sex comedy Superbad is the latest in a long line of “last night of high school” movies (see American Gigalo, Dazed and Confused American Pie and The Stoned Age). These types of films resonate with us because we can relate to them — if you went to high school you can surely still remember your own personal trials and tribulations, the struggle to fit in and the butterflies in your stomach you felt when that certain girl or boy looked at you that certain way.
Superbad tells the story of three high school seniors on their final day and night of high school. The somewhat socially challenged trio, consisting of pottymouth Seth, insecure Evan and uber-geek Fogell, have their challenge laid out before them: acquire massive amounts of booze, arrive at the party, get the girls of their dreams drunk, and score. Of course, even the best plans have a way of taking on a life of their own, and the threesome soon find themselves on one of the wildest nights of their lives.
Common themes from the genre make appearances here as well, including the parting of friends, the need for acceptance, and teenage boys’ eternal quest to get laid. While the cars, clothes, music and language have been updated, the core issues within Superbad (while hidden behind f-bombs of Southpark proportions) remain timeless.
Co-writer Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, Freaks and Geeks) seems to have found a niche with his tales of underdog triumphs. If you weren’t one of the popular kids of high school, Superbad will seem familiar — and if you were one of the popular kids, perhaps you’ll get a kick out of watching what the rest of us went through.