'Superbad' gives laughs with heart

/ Associated Press There's a scene in the beginning of "Superbad" where, in a panicky tirade, Jonah Hill's foul-mouthed uber-nerd, Seth, defends the low-fi production values of Internet porn. "I'm sorry that the Coen Brothers didn't direct the porn I watch," he whines sarcastically. "Superbad" is overstocked with cultural references But this nod to the Coen brothers recognizes that the "Superbad" team is just as funny as the legendary guys who put out comedic gold like "Raising Arizona" and "The Big Lebowski." It is justly earned self-congratulation. The team -- including producer Judd Apatow, screenwriter and actor Seth Rogen, among other recurring players -- are the current it-kings of R-rated comedy, getting rave reviews from even the stodgiest of critics and outclassing the hit-or-miss 'frat pack' of Ben Stiller and the Wilson brothers, from whose movies, incidentally, Apatow's success spawned. Apatow's films are cram-it-all-in packages of jokes above all else, but what separates them from other above average laughfests is that they are layered over with superior romantic comedy -- these films have heart. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera star as graduating high school seniors Seth and Evan (after Rogen and co-writer Evan Goldberg) who find themselves with an unlikely invitation to a hot girl's party and agree to supply booze.