Journal 1: Critique the Critic

The review I am critiquing was written by James Berardinelli from ReelViews to the newly released film Superbad directed by Greg Motolla. The following review can be found here. Superbad is a story about three socially inadequate seniors nearing graduation, who are given the chance to become the big kids on campus by providing the alcohol for a party and in turn achieving their main goal, losing their virginity.

I recently had the chance to see and enjoy Superbad in theatres and had a certain expectation but when I saw the movie my expectation was blown away giving me an entirely new experience I never thought I would get from a movie like this.

"Through all of the mayhem, however, director Mottola never loses sight of his
characters, and that's a key point to remember. While we laugh both with and at the protagonists, we also care about them."

The movie is obviously driven by its crude and embracive humor but there is also an underlying force that keeps you focused and intent on the film, which is, the characters. You put yourselves with the main characters and become enamored with the development of the characters emotional structure and how it develops over the course of the movie and how radically your perception of them change.

"The movie, produced by Judd Apatow, written by Seth Rogan & Evan Goldberg, and directed by Greg Mottola, pushes the genre's envelope a little farther than anything before it has done."

Mr. Berardinelli makes ita point that it has character development and a good comedy plotline, but truly the reason to see this movie is for the comedy, pure and simple. Whether it's Seth's drawings as a child, Evan's awkwardness, or Fogells antics with his newfound friends there is something here, guaranteed, to get you laughing and chances are you won't stop.

"Teen comedies have always found it more interesting to focus on social outsiders than members of the in-crowd, and Superbad is not an exception."

James discusses the focus of teen comedies is usually on the social outsiders because of their quirks and tendencies usually end up more comedic, and Superbad is definitely not an exception, just with some tweaks. I personally agreed with this excerpt the most because it is almost a stereotype of all high school comedies to have a focus on the outcasts due because the awkwardness is a great topic and can almost guarantee laughs if used correctly.

The critic is greatly underestimated due to the fact of controlling a percentage of the populous to see a film due to their opinion, and some abuse that and just focus on the bad and never appreciate the good in a film and James Berardinelli seems like one of those people who appreciate movies by the effort put in and the overall outcome. This review discusses some of the creative aspects of the movie but doesn't go too in depth, but again this is a high school comedy it can be funny but no one goes to see movies like Superbad to discover the symbolism in the actions of characters, they go to enjoy themselves and laugh. I believe James wrote this review this way to show that there is some depth to this movie but overall to see it for the level of comedy that rarely comes around. He wants you to see the movie and to leave genuinely entertained, which in my opinion could be one of the easiest things you can do.

Review by: James Berardinelli

Critique by: Sam Mueller

Photo Courtesy of FirstShowing.net