The heartwarming tale of two friends, joined at the hip, as they try to get laid before they graduate high school. The film is a definite throwback to some films that appeared in the youth of the screenwriters and pretty funny to boot.
We all have to get our McLovin’ somehow.
Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) are pals that have seemingly been together since birth and are just as inseparable as Siamese twins. However, life will separate them, as Seth hasn’t been able to get into the college that Evan is going to attend. They feel that they have one last chance to make good on their high school fantasies.
That chance arises when their pal Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) gets a fake ID. Seth tells popular girl Jules (Emma Stone), who he happens to have a crush on, about their seeming ability to buy booze and she invites both boys to her “parents are out of town” party if they bring along the fire-water.
Things go just as well for Evan as his crush Becca (Martha MacIssac) asks him to get her a special brand of vodka. It looks good for both the boys that they might be getting closer to getting laid, but fate has other things in store for them. Fogell’s fake ID is from Hawaii and is made out to McLovin, no first name just like Madonna.
The boys are anxiously awaiting McLovin outside of the liquor store when the cops arrive (Seth Rogen and Bill Hader). Thinking the gig is up they bolt. However, there was only a scuffle in the store and they’ve been called in to investigate. So now our two heroes begin the quest to get the booze and McLovin heads out on patrol with the two maniac cops.
The film has a ‘70s feel to it and the Columbia logo even appears to be from that era. The film almost has a period feel to it as the clothes seem to be very much from the era, but it is set in modern times. I guess fashion has finally come full circle. Screenwriters Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg seem to be channeling bits of their teenage years as the film has a ring of truth as the boys talk and think like teens.
It seems very real in that aspect, but the comedy is the king and the film has some truly funny moments. Not only are Hill and Cera funny in their roles and quest but Mintz-Plasse does a great job as the singularly named Hawaiian. His comic adventures with the two police officers are a comedic highlight.
This version also feature four minutes of unrated footage. The menus also feature some of Seth’s penis themed artwork (you’ll get it once you’ve seen the movie).
Superbad is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Superbad is also available in a theatrical cut version, an unrated version, and this two-disc edition.
Disc one has a commentary from producer Judd Apatow, Jonah Hill, director Greg Mottola, and writer/executive producer/actor Seth Rogen (calling in from L.A.). Disc two starts off with 12 minutes of deleted and extended scenes. The 4-minute “Line-o-rama” feature different or alternate improvisation of some of the lines in the film. Next is the 4-minute gag reel.
The 33 minute “Cop Car Confessions” features some comic cameos on the back of the officer’s car, including Jane Lynch, Chris Kattan, Judd Apatow, and many more. The 13-minute “Making of Superbad” goes into the production. The 28-minute “Table Read” has script readings from 2002 and 2006, one with Rogen reading the younger role. There are also 13 minutes of auditions from Cera, Hill, and Mintz-Plasse. Next are about 4 minutes of voicemails that Jonah left for Michael throughout the production (in fact, Cera learned he had the role accidentally from one of these calls).
The 4 minute “Snakes on Jonah” has some animal trainers being hired to cheer up Jonah after he had his tonsils out – odd thing to do but hilarious to watch. The 3-minute “Dancing Title Sequence” looks at the making of the opening credits. Another funny thing is the 3 minute “TV Safe Lines” where they try and clean up some of the dialogue for the television version of the film.
The 6 minute “Everyone hates Michael Cera” is a parody of how everyone hated him on the set – or is it? There are also 17 minutes of on set diaries, a 13 minute look at the music of the film, a 3 minute “Press Junket Meltdown,” and the 4 minute look at the next film from Rogen and Goldberg, Pineapple Express.
Superbad is really super good [insert rimshot here]. If you’ve liked the other work from the lads or are in the mood for a teenage angst comedy then this one’s the ticked for you. Make sure you show your fake ID at the door.
Superbad - Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition) is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Jan. 21st release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
Your Talkback on this Story