Review of Superbad (2007) by Paulf. — 22 Aug 2007

If you liked "Knocked Up" you'll probably like "Super Bad" starring some of the very same actors. The humor is super raunchy which rarely lets up. The subject matter mostly revolves around sex, drugs, and general bad boy and girl adolescent like behavior.

There is not a lot of functionality about the characters at first, except maybe Evan who desires something more heartfelt. Yet even he succumbs halfway but does seem to hold true in the end. I would have thought this film to be somewhat nihilistic in overall philosophical outlook but by the end there does seem to be some deeper insights gained by the characters of their valued friendship and respect of the women in which they were tempted to objectify.

This took a lot of internal fortitude as it seemingly went against the overarching cultural grain of the movie. Even many of the adults seemed to acts just as bad as the high schoolers, such as the police who seemed to be trying to relive their youth.

Some of their stunts were silly and somewhat funny, especially one line with Fogell. However their excessive immaturity did not seem very realistic, though it helps just to go along it. "Mclovin" by the way just about stole the show with his half nerdy/half cool, and mostly lucky antics.

However in the end it was he who was still trying to impress the chics with his faked IDs and staged arrests. Not much social redeeming value though I found it funny. "Super Bad" was neither super bad nor super good, though definitely worth a viewing.

I did however think the film and many others lately push the envelope by using children to portray adult subject matter. Though I laughed at some of the private parts drawings it did seem to cross a line we rarely seem to question any more.

I am concerned society is spinning in a less than wholesome direction. I am conflicted as to whether to support this film in light of this fact however it seems appropriate to deal with society in relation to how it is now and not some idealized moral standard.

However it is my hope there will be a push for at least some cinematic restraints. In short "Super Bad" can entertain, offer some insight about friendship and treating others as human beings, but I doubt it will go down in the annals of film as a classic to forever be remembered.