Director: Greg Mottola
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Michael Cera
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Seth Rogen. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Rogen has become a beloved comedic icon. Whether it’s technology inventors, reckless stoners or survivors of grim doomsday disasters, Rogen has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Rogen’s best strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors which has proven he has the capability to excel in practically any genre. Although he is most famous for his comedies, Rogen has proven he has the abilities to make diverse movies. An actor with a hilarious sense of humour, Rogen has created timeless movies which audiences consider precious. Through a strong ability to portray characters which are easy to relate to, Rogen has become an actor that audiences value. Showing commitment to his craft, Rogen has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout an amazing career, Rogen has made several unforgettable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Seth Rogen and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Superbad” is my favourite. Released in 2007, Judd Apatow’s comedy captured the lives of rebellious college students. Packed with breathtaking set-design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comedies ever made. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance from Seth Rogen, who portrays a reckless police officer. Ultimately, what makes “Superbad” a comedy classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most comedies, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which resonates with everyone. A captivating comedy classic, there are many reasons why “Superbad” is a movie worth seeing.
“Superbad” tells the story of a pair of friends seeking to engage in rebellious behaviour that leads to a disaster. Jonah Hill portrays Seth, a reckless teenager that has a tendency to get into trouble. Seth has always shared a strong friendship with Evan (Michael Cera), who has always stood by his side throughout school. However, their strong friendship is tested by reckless behaviour attracting the attention of police officers. The pair get into trouble when they attract the attention of the strict police officer Michaels (Seth Rogen). As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Seth begins to wonder whether he will be able to graduate in a school causing disaster. Faced with a tough dilemma, Seth wonders whether he would ever achieve his diploma.
Greg Mottola is fascinated with the comedy genre. Before he made “Superbad”, Mottola was known for making movies in the comedy genre. With “Superbad”, however, the director made his first college comedy. It was Mottola’s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by rebellious teens in schools, but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Mottola captures a pair of teens embarking on. a journey to discover their identity. Inspired by John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club”, Mottola use montages to captures lives of teenagers bonding in a school. For instance, montages elevate the party scene. During this hilarious scene, Evan recounts his parties which he has attended with his friend to Becca. One admires montages capturing the hardships teenagers are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most films. As Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” claimed, montages elevate films about famous filmmakers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Mottola captures hardships teenagers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Superbad” that is worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Mottola uses the production design of schools to capture the lives of adolescents that decline. For instance, the set design of the school suits the cafeteria conversation scene. During this hilarious scene, Seth confesses his reasons for hating Becca recounting childhood memory causing trauma. One appreciates the production of schools that capture the lives of teens which experience tension. Schools are complex settings to employ in movies. As Amy Heckerling’s “Clueless” suggested, schools are settings that elevate movies about the lives of clueless teens. However, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Lyle Workman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that teens bear. Through powerful production, Mottola captures the lives of commemorated teenagers which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Superbad” is a captivating classic that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively using flashbacks to capture lives of teenagers facing disaster. Mottola expertly uses flashbacks to capture teenagers facing a dilemma. For instance, flashbacks elevate the childhood scene. During this hilarious scene, Seth recounts his traumatic childhood having an obsession with drawing pictures of private parts. One appreciates flashbacks capturing tensions that teenagers are facing. Through ingenious flashbacks, Mottola creates strong characters that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in films. As Judd Apatow’s “Knocked Up” did suggest clearly, flashbacks elevate movies about unintended pregnancy. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Mottola captures teens facing a painful price to pay in high schools today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Seth Rogen delivers one of his greatest career performances as Officer Michaels. Rogen first achieved appreciation portraying stoner men in comedies. With “Superbad”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a police officer that faces tragedy, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and reckless nature of a police officer engaging in rebellious behaviour. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Jonah Hill is fantastic as a teenager seeking to overcome college causing disaster. Hill has always had an aptitude for playing teenagers under pressure, and “Superbad” showcased his strengths as an actor. As Seth, Hill shows his aptitude for creating comedic characters through strong body language. Whether he’s having a tense argument with his friend or flirting with his crush in school, Hill effectively uses strong body language to create a comedic character that’s compelling. Hill showcased his aptitude for playing characters with a sharp sense of humour engaging in reckless behaviour. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most talented comical actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Michael Cera. As a rebellious teenager, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Superbad” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of teens facing tragedy. Unlike most comedies about teenagers, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, college and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with college to admire it. It delivers a meaningful message about adolescence that everyone would relate to. Therefore, “Superbad” is one of those commemorated comedies about high school which everyone would adore.
Fans of Seth Rogen will definitely appreciate “Superbad” and so will movie-goers seeking hilarious entertainment. A captivating comedy classic, it honours a comedic actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comedy about reckless teenagers engaging in rebellious behaviours with consequences which are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling comical characters in comedies that always leave audiences laughing whose unforgettable movies which have stood the test of time as comedic classics are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 