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It is very unlike me to go and see a movie based purely on the hype that has surrounded its release. I usually prefer to go see something based on the trailers I have seen, something that looks interesting, funny, or hopefully, something that has a glimmer of intelligence about it. I didn't see any trailers for Superbad. Had I, I'm sure I would never have gone to the cinema to see it. What got me through the doors of the movie theatre, what made me utter the words; "one for Superbad, please", was the constant talking about the movie, the constant praise it was showered by friends, family and the media, and of course, the final factor, my boyfriend wanted to see it.

Superbad, for me, is one of those very rare films that completely, 100% lives up to its title. It actually throws that warning straight in your face, and against all my better judgement, I completely ignored that red herring, and spent hard earned cash to waste a couple of precious hours of my life watching this tripe. I've never walked out of a movie, the closest I've ever come to it was during 8 Mile, but I was sorely tempted to within ten minutes of this movie.

To say that Superbad is crude would be the understatement of the century. To say it applies to the lowest common dominator would be an obvious observation. To say that there is very little intelligence, integrity or original thought shown in this movie, would be a gentle way of saying this movie is searching for one demographic only, but like everything else in Hollywood, tries desperately to market itself as something else. No movie of this kind will ever have on its promotional poster: "Warning: This movie is for young teenage boys, who are struggling with girls and growing up, or men in their twenties and up who have failed to mature." Somehow, I don't think the studios would go for such an honest statement, knowing it would immediately lose them most of their audience.

I have a problem with vulgarity in movies, I will always admit to that, and of course I knew that there was going to be vulgarity in this movie. The level of lewdness, crudeness, bad taste and downright disgusting "humour" on display in this movie shocked me though. I wasn't prepared for it. I have watched American Pie, the undoubted inspiration or model for Superbad, and there are definitely some moments in that first film of the franchise that could leave you squirming slightly, but it is almost a PG movie compared to Superbad.

I am not a prude, I don't have a problem with discussing sex, making fun of sex, or occasionally, having sex scenes in a movie. But when the main goal of a movie is to turn the viewer's stomach with its projection of sex, there is something wrong. That is not a movie. That is a little boy's silly way of trying to get a few cheap laughs.

I did laugh once while watching Superbad. One laugh, in what seems a very long movie that is supposed to be a comedy is not a good record. My boyfriend, who you would expect to maybe enjoy the movie, because he is of the sex the movie is intended for, laughed three times. I counted.

The performances of the main actors are very good with the material they have been given. I like Seth Rogen a lot, and his performance along with Bill Hader as a cop duo brings the only redeeming feature to the movie. If they had been used more, I might have laughed a few more times; as it was, Superbad made want me want to cry with boredom and frustration.

Learn more about this author, Anna Maria Ryan.
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