Superbad
When 2007’sSuperbadwas released , it was an instant smash hit and became a pop - cultural phenomenon that has savour relevance to this day . So when 2019’sBooksmartcame out , many viewers , audiences and critic alike , noted the similarity .
The two teenage coming - of - age stories have both enjoyed fanfare and birth hearty laughs , and while they do have many parallel , there are also some drastic differences . Here ’s a tone to compare and counterpoint the films .
Similar: Two “Losers” In High School Decide To Make Up For It
InSuperbad , Seth and Evan are two social outcasts who are about to graduate . They ’ve been virgins all through high school and decide to prove to make their crushes at a party they are both invited to ( which never befall ) . Meanwhile , Booksmartconcerns twosocial outcastswho are about to fine-tune . They were studious academics all through high school and missed out on hold sport , and decided to try and prove their " fun " factor at a party they are both invited to ( which never happen ) . And for incentive points , both films ' twosome have one socially awkward beta dork and the more aggressive and outspoken alpha wonk who inspire the self - awareness of the situation .
Different: Boys vs. Girls
This one is pretty easy to spot . Superbadis a very guy - centric photographic film ; the nerdy duo , the third awkward friend , and the two fuzz are all sort of in the same headspace to , simply put , get laid . It ’s also compose and direct by men . Booksmartis more female - led , with most of the positions submit antecedently instead being fill out by women . The two different position will ultimately shake a little more towards whichever gender is more identifiable with its audience , but both are carry through well .
Similar: The Films Feel Genuine
Both plastic film are executed well because they finger ( for the most part ) pretty realistic , especially have-to doe with the dialogue of their character . The teen are crass and vulgar , they put up false fronts , they always bicker on scheme , and their destination can at times be pretty vapid . In short , the main characters move like substantial adolescent - they are hormonal muddle with a destiny of poor judgement who think they can manage anything .
Different: “Booksmart” Is Kinder
While both films capture that genuine sense of being a teenager , Booksmarthas a different approach ; whether or not it ’s realistic is up for debate , though it is an interesting ( and perhaps evenrefreshing ) pick . The peers inBooksmartare not all bullies and typical high school saccade . In fact , virtually everyone in the moving-picture show carries an aura of acceptance and kindness , even if occasional hiccough of crudity are present . Seeing eminent schoolers play tolerantly of each other and not ostracize and outcast others constantly is interesting , though not completely precise to tangible life sentence , unfortunately .
Similar: Jared vs. McLovin
Though not an official part of the main duette , each movie has a form of " third wheel " to the master friendship . InSuperbad , it is Fogell , AKA " McLovin . " InBooksmart , it ’s Jared , who also brings along his … hallucinogenic - well-disposed peer , Gigi . Both of the third wheel characters feign the main span drastically throughout the picture show and slip the conniption whenever they seem onscreen . Somehow , both Jared and McLovin deal to be even more socially awkward than their fellow pupil , and they also have their own small-scale arcs in the film .
Different: The Directors Of The Films
Superbadwas directed by Greg Mottola , whileBooksmartwas directed by Olivia Wilde , in her directorial unveiling . Frankly , Booksmarthas a portion more personality andstyleto it , whereasSuperbadis a bit more straightforward . Superbadhas more of a realistic and gritty overture to the photographic film , whileBooskmarthas more experiment and sharp cinematography techniques . There ’s also a pretty originative blockade - motion misstep scene inBooksmart , which was apparently a option to add to the movie from Olivia Wilde .
Similar: An Awkward Hookup Scene
InSuperbad , Evan ( Michael Cera ) finally gets the probability to sleep with his infatuation , Becca , but she is deep drunk and barf all over him while he try out to escape . InBooksmart , after finding out her crushed leather is not into her , Amy ( Kaitlin Denver ) persist into a bathroom to hide her reactions to a stressful nighttime , finding her schoolmate Hope at bottom .
Initially standoffish , they get to hookup , but after an embarrassing mistake , Amy give up on Hope and runs off in disgrace .
Different: The 2000s vs. 2010s
Superbadcertainly is a2000s film , despite being based on the writer ' experience in the 1990s . It was take in 2006 up to 2007 , and certainly is a product of its fourth dimension in the best way possible . Though it carry many 2000s characteristics with it , such as slang , vesture , and technical school , it has persist timeless in its approach shot . likewise , Booksmartwill age well , however , it is representative of the subsequent 2010s decade instead , and the changes are very palpable . The more considerate high school culture , the less taboo nature of sure elements , and the presence of sealed music and thing like Lyft make it very much a stamp of the 2010s and with that , it carries a unlike tone .
Similar: The Feldstein Connection
As noted before , both films have a more alpha - like nerd in the duo . InBooksmart , it ’s Molly , toy by Beanie Feldstein . InSuperbad , it ’s Seth , played by Jonah Hill . For the unaware , Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein are in reality brother and babe .
Like many Hollywood celebrities , Jonah Hill determine to use his middle name as a sort of quasi stage name , see as it was easy to say or write . For instance , Thomas Cruise Mapother IV is best known asTom Cruise . At any rate , bothBooksmartandSuperbadhave fellow Feldstein siblings play the roles of the more aggressive " loser " in each duo .
Different: The Writing
One of the reasonsSuperbadis so estimable and feels realistic is because it was written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg when they were teenagers , base on their real - life experience , with some flair , and got polished a bit afterwards . For that reason , the main characters are give the first names of the author . Meanwhile , Booksmartwas compose by several talented writer , all - female . The hand was tossed around in the " Black List " script before getting revisions , then getting dust off and produced , with more revisions to follow . At the final stage of the day , Superbadis a flake more realistic in its approach and more straightforward , whileBooksmartis a act deep with its messages and has more sound on , while still a tad idealistic at sentence .
NEXT:10 Great Comedies To Watch If You be intimate Booksmart
