Road Trip
It's no surprise that after the success of "American Pie," Hollywood
would try to cash in with a flood of raunchy teen comedies. What have we
brought upon ourselves?
Story
This crude coming-of-age sex comedy is stocked with typical movie
college students, including a doe-eyed dude (Breckin Meyer) who
accidentally ships off a video of a recent infidelity to his
out-of-state girlfriend. The dude enlists the aid of his oddball college
chums in the titular trek across the states to retrieve the
incriminating cassette. Don't these kids ever study? This is a moronic
film whose target audience ranges from Beavis to Butt-head. Here we find
a home for all the fart and nerd jokes once thought banished to the '80s
with "Porky's" and "The Last American Virgin."
Acting
Though the roles are forgettable, it's hard not to be a little charmed
by this motley crew. As the narrator of the film, Tom Green goes from
being irritating to endearing. Meyer is sturdy enough in a role that
would have gone to John Cusack in a bygone era.
Direction
Todd Phillips isn't afraid to dive into the depths with feeble attempts
to shock (including a doobie-smoking grandpa and live-mouse-eating
Green). Phillips is obviously just paying his dues by pandering to an
adolescent audience and a studio hoping to make a buck from the raunchy
teen trend.
Bottom Line
Though this flick offers a few giggles, if you want raunchy, drunken
deflowering, you're better off renting "American Pie."