MovieChat Forums > Superbad (2007) Discussion > This film is the peak of Apatow/Rogen Co...

This film is the peak of Apatow/Rogen Comedy run

posted 5 years ago by looper007 (1126)
4 replies | jump to latest

I know Apatow didn't direct this but I mean in terms of those group of talent like Rogen, Rudd, Hill, Cera, Segal. They were releasing these type of comedies once 40 Year old Virgin became such a sleeper hit seemed like every few months.

I know after Superbad that they still released the likes of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I Love You Man which are good little comedies. But Superbad was the peak of that run for me, it's the film that holds up the strongest even now. Hill and Cera are a likeable duo, even Mintz-Plasse makes what could be a annoying character into someone you can't help but root for. Yes it's got the gross humour, but this film is the closet they got to a John Hughes teen comedy. I always forget that Emma Stone is in this but watching it again, she makes you believe that her character would fall for Seth. You can see why she's gone on to do what she has.

What this film had is heart, even though they are a couple of buffoons that Seth and Evan do have each other's back and clearly care for one another. Something that comedies that tried to copy off Superbad failed to see. That's why 40 Year old Virgin worked so well for me, you had the gross humor but without Catherine Keener's character and her performance and how Steve Carrel's is such a fine actor, that without their sweet relationship that film wouldn't have worked so well.

Many might disagree with me but Superbad was the peak of that golden run of comedies.

[–] VanHellion (605) 3 years ago

Interesting post - I agree with a lot here. I do think there was a very small "golden age" of R-rated comedies from this era.

Knocked Up, Superbad, Role Models, I Love You Man, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 40 Year Old Virgin, Bad Teacher, Wedding Crashers and The Hangover. All of them had a lot of connections to each other and for that time they all worked well. It's a shame we don't see these comedies anymore.

[–] bellington83 (3270) 3 years ago

Anchorman, Old School, Dodgeball and Starsky and Hutch, too.

[–] VanHellion (605) 3 years ago

Great additions, bellington - I think we were talking about R-Rated moves, however. That said - no doubt that Anchorman, Dodgeball and S&H are part of this great comedic age. Unrated Anchorman is pretty funny overall. Dodgeball Unrated doesn't add that much unfortunately. Without a doubt, there was about a 10 year run of R-rated and PG-13 comedy classics!

[–] looper007 (1126) 3 years ago

Knocked Up and especially 40 year old Virgin both hold up well, 40 year old Virgin is probably still the best out of all those comedies for me, just got the heart to it along with Superbad that's lacking from some of those others you mentioned. I never quite got into Bad Teacher or The Hangover films, I think the sequels for me really hurt the impact of the first film. Role Models is enjoyable watch. Wedding Crashers is fine. I adore I Love You Man, it's probably not the most laugh out funny from the bunch but I love Rudd's and Segel's chemistry and it's got it's heart in the right place. I also like Forgetting Sarah Marshall cause of Jason Segel too, and also helps Mila Kunis is a likeable love interest too.

Some after that peak run that I enjoy, Bridesmaids is the best thing is still the best thing Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy have done. But the lack of really great comedies like those you mentioned is quite sad.