Superbad 18 Years Later, Does It Still Hold Up?
Description
That's right, McLovin! This week on The Commentary Booth, host Jamie Apps is joined by Aussie pro wrestler Jesse Flynn to celebrate a major milestone: the 2007 coming-of-age teen buddy comedy Superbad is officially 18 years old!
We look back at why this film hit so hard in the late 2000s, especially for anyone who grew up sneaking cheap DVDs into thick CD folders, dealing with terrible phone reception, and believing that a fake ID was the key to ultimate social success. Jamie and Jesse dig into the film’s comedy, the Judd Apatow era that helped shape it, the insane quotability, and how Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and a brand new Emma Stone set the tone for the next decade of teen cinema.
There’s also a surprising amount of heart in Superbad, and the conversation captures how the movie slowly reveals a story about two friends realising life is about to pull them in different directions, even if they don’t really want to admit it. Some parts definitely feel dated now, although the chaos still delivers laughs in almost every scene.
Highlights Breakdown:
The Film's Legacy: How Superbad launched the careers of Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and a then-unknown Emma Stone, and kicked open the door for a golden era of R-rated comedies
Iconic Scene Breakdowns: From the legendary dick drawing portfolio and Fogell's "McLovin" fake ID, to the wacky cop side-quest and Seth's unforgettable dance moves
The Heart Beneath the Humour: Analysing the surprisingly emotional core of the film, the anxiety of saying goodbye to your best friends
Does It Hold Up?: A frank discussion on the film's more dated and problematic elements 18 years later, and why the hilarious middle still makes it a top-tier rewatch
Aussie Wrestling Re-cast: Jesse takes on the ultimate challenge: casting the roles of Seth, Evan, Fogell, and the cops with stars from the Australian wrestling scene!
Whether you’ve rewatched it recently or haven’t seen it since the era of flip phones and dodgy MSN chat logs, this episode is a reminder of why Superbad became an instant cult favourite.
This week’s episode is brought to you by
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