Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here. As I was cleaning out the pneumatic tubes here at the Labs tonight -- and no, it's not what you think, you perverts -- I found a couple of reviews of ROAD TRIP. One's from a regular here at the site, the disgruntled FX-artist-turned-villain MYSTERIO, while the other is from a real American beauty of a new contributor who simply wishes to be known as Burnham. Between the two of them, sounds like this one's going to be a matter of taste. Let's check it out.
Hey there Harry. Yes, it's Mysterio, materializing out from underneath a cloud of smoke yet again. The super-villain that's head and shoulders above the rest!
After departing from my last brief stop at the gym with "Supes'" (as his friends call him), I decided to pack up a few holocubes to help in my attempts to wreak havoc on this damn "Spider-man" project. Hell, if it hasn't been a past couple of weeks. First 'Spidey', then 'Superman', then 'The Fantastic Four' and 'Daredevil'! Every friggin' "super"-hero seems to be making movie deals. Gives me many a mission now, which unless I get my own damn movie, I'll continue to menace into their affairs. As for you studio heads… you will fear Mysterio! You've been warned!
I decided that it was time to take a road trip back to the big city. So far, my first stop back has been a little less than memorable. For ironically it was for a screening of the Dreamworks' May release of, ta-da… "ROAD TRIP".
Now I heard they were screening this film left and right and that the buzz on this was pretty positive, and all seem happy as pigs in shit over this one. I ain't no pig, but this film is... well, you can see where I'm headed.
The film is co-written and directed by Todd Phillips ("Frat House") who was confident enough to stand and announce the screening, which was exec-produced by Ivan ("Animal House") Reitman.
MINOR PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!!!
It stars Breckin Meyer ("GO") as lovesick Josh, who goes to Ithica College, while his long-standing girlfriend, Tiffany (Rachel Blanchard, TV's "Clueless") attends college at the University of Austin. They've been together since they we're kids and since leaving high school they've been doing the long-distance relationship sort of thing. But doubts and nightmares begin to plague Josh's thoughts as Tiffany suddenly ceases to return his calls or write back to him.
And it doesn't help that his friends, E.L. ("American Pie"'s Seann William Scott), Barry (MTV's Tom Green) and Rubin keep telling him that the reality of another failed long distance love affair has ended and it's time to move on. Especially when luscious college coed Beth (Amy Smart), has eyes for Josh, whilst another deranged, obsessive suitor, Jacob ("Dazed & Confused"'s Anthony Rapp) vies for her attention as well, much to the dismay of Beth.
So, heeding his friends advice, Josh and Beth do get together and end up making an illicit videotape, which eventually gets mixed up with another videotape of a heartfelt message that was supposed to be mailed to Tiffany, except was accidentally switched! To make matters worse, once Josh learns the reason that Tiffany had not called and disappeared on him due to her grandmother's passing, guilt and desperation sets in as he attempts to get the tape before it gets to Tiffany and destroys his relationship.
So unable to afford a plane ticket back to Austin, he cons the only guy he knows with a car (Kyle), to take a little "Road Trip" with E.L., Rubin and him (while Barry stays behind because he's never ventured outside the city). Kyle, a bit of a friendless geek, decides to go along, and off the adventure begins! Well, not exactly.
The script tries too hard in setting up clichéd gags that often time seem desperate and forced. These are gags that anyone over twenty has seen before, or can easily see where it going long before the punchline actually hits.
It is far less original not only in its gags, but also in story. It makes me wonder if writer/director Todd Phillips had seen a little straight-to-video & cable flick called "OVERNIGHT DELIVERY" with Reese Witherspoon & Paul Rudd (co-written by Kevin Smith) that uses the exact same plotline, but to with greater effect and originality. Although that film was less than stellar as well.
But hey, I can't say this film was without laughs. It just wasn't from me, but the thirteen to seventeen-year olds in the audience. Unfortunately not the audience this film can sell to, since they more than likely won't be able to buy tickets to since it's plagued with sex, nudity, and language. Which should ultimately drown out ticket sales, leading its audience into sneaking into due to the "R" rating, that as it stands, will definitely get.
High points (what few there are) go to Seann William Scott, who plays E.L. (and who played "Stiffler" in 'PIE'). He plays a character very similar to Stiffler, and has the best lines and delivery of any other character, including a much-wasted Tom Green.
It's strange how you can place someone as funny and broad as Green, and make him un-funny in this film. Sure he has several opportunities and enough screen time, but either the writing or directing holds him back from really cutting loose as on his show (which Green, even on a bad episode is funnier than he is here).
That's too bad, since I feel he was the biggest appeal to most in coming to see this film. This "Road Trip" is definitely not worth taking.
Ooh... harsh words. If I hadn't had Burnham here speak up as well, I might be writing this one off.
Hello good folks,
I just got back from a screening of Tom Green's new movie Road Trip at the Mann Bruin in Westwood. It was the studio screening with all the top brass- the writer/director, Jeff Katzenberg, etc. They started off with the usual "the music and credits aren't finished...it's a really bad print..."
I went in with all the hope and excitement I would have for the next Carrot Top movie, but I must admit that I, and the entire audience, were delightfully surprised by what we saw. This is a very funny movie, hilarious at times, and it is going to be BIG.
The premise is simple. Take American Pie and set it in college. How American Pie is it? Stifler is in it and he's pretty much the same exact character- Stifler in college. Tom Green has a very funny supporting role, but it's not his movie. There's a fair amount of nudity and funny sex scenes like in American Pie, and this movie tries to be more audacious; but, it never has the balls to go beyond the "tease and cut-away" which could have really set it apart and made it even funnier. The basic story is about four horny guys who go on a road trip from Pennsylvania to Texas to intercept a sexy, incriminating videotape accidentally mailed to one of the guy's girlfriend, and the wacky episodes that ensue along the way.
I'm not going to have any spoilers because that would be disastrous to a comedy like this which relies on its outlandish situations and constant surprises. I will say as a note to the filmmakers that the first two-thirds are great. It is fast-paced, fun, and every surprise is hilarious. But is does lose some of that wild energy during the last third. It needs to get more hectic and take more risks. The first 2/3 set up an atmosphere where we eagerly awaiting the next outrageous, unpredictable thing, but it stops shocking us and puts on a pretty sentimental bow at the end which everyone was obviously disappointed by. Overall though, great job, and I look forward to seeing the completed product.
