Superbad is a masterwork of absolute hilarity. A movie so funny, that it's downright exhausting to sit through. What really took me by surprise though, was its big heart that shines through courtesy of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera's genuine chemistry.

Written by Knocked Up star Seth Rogen (who also turns in a hilarious performance in the picture) and his longtime pal Evan Goldberg, Superbad is a coming of age story laced with bad language and crude humor, but at it's center, it's really a story about friendship. Leads Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are able to convey a real sense of camaraderie and that's what really makes the film sing. Even when outlandish situations and ridiculous scenarios arise, Superbad is always anchored by its real and recognizable characters.

Yes, Superbad is crude, and yes it uses a considerable amount of profanity, but to compare this flick to Porky's (a film that set the standard for teen sex comedies) or American Pie (certainly not a bad film but hardly a masterpiece) would be vastly misleading. Superbad is so much smarter than the previously mentioned films that it's in a league of its own. Amongst all the F-words, obscene hand gestures, and glorious penis art is a genuine exploration into the nature of juvenile friendship. Hill and Cera are so convincing and adept at conveying both the comic and emotional aspects of the film that, at times, I forgot I was watching a movie. Added props to Christopher Mintz-Plasse, as the scene stealing Fogell (aka McLovin).

There are some things here that audiences are just going to have to willingly go along with. The idea that Hill's Seth (might the character's name suggest that perhaps Rogen dug into his own past to bring this character to the screen?) would attract one of the hottest gals on campus might push some viewers "yea right" buttons. But what do you expect? This is from the creator of Freaks and Geeks. Besides, it worked like a charm in Knocked Up (even though in that picture, alcohol figured heavily into the equation) and it works here as well. Quite frankly, the notion that the hot girl on campus would be interested in the unpopular guy because of who he is on the inside, is quite refreshing. In Apatow's universe, it's sheik to be geek.

No doubt, many will be offended by the absolutely filthy conversations on display in this movie, but for me, there was such realism to it, particularly where the teenagers are concerned, that they're indispensible. Most teenagers do talk this way, as do many of their elders. I know that I've had plenty of conversations on par with the ones in this film. Hell, I still have conversations like this. And as dirty as the wordplay gets, it never detracts from the sincerity that's at the heart of this movie.

Knocked Up remains one of the strongest films of the year, and quite frankly, I think Superbad is every bit as good. It coasts along on the same mixture of frat boy humor and pure likability. It's also edgy - there's a potential sex scene here that's pretty darn racey and unpredictable (where the scene ends up is most unexpected). Director Greg Mottola and writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have taken the familiar coming of age tale and put their own unmistakable stamp on it and the end result is an uproarious comedy brimming with absolute charm. This is an outstanding movie and I can't wait to see it again.