‘Superbad’ follows in the tradition of ‘American Pie’ in terms of being a comedy about college-bound teens trying to get laid before graduation. The twist? These aren’t the cool kids but the nerds and the misfits, and for once, they’re the stars. The film refreshingly centres around awkward, socially anxious boys who are painfully aware of their own limitations.

Their mission is simple: get alcohol, go to a party, and impress girls – who, in turn, often only use them for the booze they can provide. Yet ‘Superbad’ offers something more: a look at teenage life through the lens of those on the margins. There’s an extended subplot where a character ends up on a wild ride with two rogue cops (including a hilarious Seth Rogen), after a failed booze-buying mission leads to a robbery and an increasingly implausible alibi.

Some moments do veer into questionable territory, particularly a scene where menstrual blood on trousers is played for laughs, leaving a sour taste. Still, the film has a clear structure and emotional arc, and at its core is a sweet coming-of-age story about friendship, fear of growing up, and the ache of feeling left behind.

Much like ‘American Pie’, this is a ‘last night before adulthood’ film in respect of one last chance to prove something to themselves. There are hilarious moments, especially around fake IDs and pretending to be older than they are. It’s not about finding perfect love; these characters just don’t want to be invisible anymore. Their bar is low, their confidence lower, insofar as being the drunken mistake of an attractive girl at a party is the height of their ambition. But the film still gives them a rite of passage they’ll never forget in this at times raucous but hackneyed comedy.