EuroTrip (2004)

EUROTRIP
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****):  *** 1/2

With the some of the same outrageous brand of humor as ROAD TRIP, but without any of its grossness, DreamWorks' EUROTRIP is a hilarious, sexually explicit comedy that will have you laughing so hard you may injure yourself. I'd trade all of the AMERICAN PIEs for EUROTRIP. It's funnier and fresher than the AMERICAN PIE franchise, and it gets its laughs without a single sleazy second. But its humor never tries to be politically correct -- one episode happens deep inside the Vatican -- and there are few socially redeeming moments.

The movie's secret ingredient may be how likable the almost-college aged kids are in the story. The humor is sensual, silly and sweet. This road trip picture has Scott Thomas (Scott Mechlowicz) and his buddy Cooper Harris (Jacob Pitts) backpacking across Europe, trying to hook up with Mieke (Jessica Boehrs), Scott's internet girlfriend from Berlin whom he accidentally insulted on-line. Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jamie (Travis Wester) are twins from Scott and Cooper's old high school back in Ohio who join them in Europe. If your memory is good, you may remember Trachtenberg from her part as Harriet in HARRIET THE SPY. Boy, has she grown up! She also plays the story's sweetest character.

The movie is built out of several short and independent episodes so that, if you don't like one, you can wait a few minutes for another one to start. Personally, I liked them all and have trouble identifying a favorite. One of the few on-going jokes involves the way that the boys treat Jenny as one of the guys, and she has to keep reminding them that she's a girl. You won't have such a problem.

In one episode filled with a hundred naked male private parts, the kids visit a nude beach only to find that it is filled with nothing but male tourists there to gawk at the non-existent naked women. In another, Cooper tries to fulfill his dreams by visiting one of Amsterdam's famous sex clubs, which is overseen by a dominatrix called the Vandersexxx Girl (Zuzana Kocova) in the credits. You'll be crossing this off of your itinerary after seeing this scene.

Many funny incidents don't involve sex at all. When Scott and Cooper first get to London, they find themselves stuck in a pub full of raving maniacs -- soccer hooligans. Later, after the crazy fans bond with the boys, they all go on a scary ride on a double-decker bus. While in Paris, Scott tries to outdo and then fight a robot mannequin, all in jerky slow motion. And, when in Eastern Europe, the kids find that it is truly amazing what the exchange rate can do for you. I haven't even had time to get to the goose-stepping little German boy with a little crayon mustache -- told you the film wasn't PC.

I must admit that when my European trip with these kids was over, I didn't want to leave and was sad to see them go. But after this much laughter, it feels good to be able to catch your breath again.

EUROTRIP runs a fast 1:32. It is rated R for "sexuality, nudity, language and drug/alcohol content" and would be acceptable for older teenagers.

My son Jeffrey, almost 15, gave it *** 1/2. He found it hilarious, original and never predictable. He liked the casting of the female roles, finding the girls all naturally attractive without the least bit of sleaze. He said that he could watch this movie again and again.

The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, February 20, 2004. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.

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