Road Trip is a direct descendant of Porky's, There's Something About Mary and American Pie. Also, one particular scene reminds of Executive Producer Ivan Reitman's 1978 hit, Animal House. As in those films, the humor is raunchy, but it is also laugh-out-loud hilarious as it goes right up to the edge of a NC-17 MPAA rating. This film is also sweet natured, and contains only one would-be villain, a teaching assistant named Jacob as played by Anthony Rapp of the musical play, RENT. Jacob gets as just deserts in the end and actor Rapp, who reminded me of James Fox in Thoroughly Modern Millie, is likely to be heard from in future films and plays.

This trip takes Josh, E.L., Rubin and Kyle, four young male Ithaca College students, from their upstate New York campus to the University of Austin in Texas, some 1800 miles away. By mistake, a video of Josh in bed with Beth has been mailed to Josh's long time girl friend, Tiffany. The hurried cross country journey is made to try to get the tape back before Tiffany can see that Josh had cheated on her. Canadian television comedian and MTV personality, Tom Green as Barry, stays behind on campus and narrates the story for us. Mr. Green is quite funny here in a limited part, but I suspect that a feature film starring him would be hard to take. When referring to Danny DeVito in one of his early reviews, a wag suggested that Mr. DeVito was like garlic. A little bit can be delicious, but a lot is unbearable. Exactly.

The rest of the young cast is impressive. Breckin Meyer (Go, 54, and Dancer, Texas) is not your conventional leading man type, but he is talented and likeable as Josh. Seann William Scott (American Pie, Final Destination) as E.L. is essentially the same hyper character that he was in his other two films. This brings up questions about his range, although I suspect that he could be terrific as an over-the-top villain or psycho. I happen to like him and his high energy, especially in the sperm bank scene! He should be offered parts that Jim Carrey rejects or has become too old to play. (Sorry, Jim!)

Paulo Costanzo as Rubin has one funny scene with an old man and his dog. DJ Quales steals every scene he is in as Kyle. Mr. Quales looks like a young Don Knotts and has already been cast in an upcoming thriller called Cherry Falls. His is the character in the film with a real arc, and he makes the most of it. His scenes at the Black fraternity house are hilarious! Former model Amy Smart (Beth) seems well named and is also beautiful, blond and wholesome. Her previous film and television credits are small parts in Felicity, Varsity Blues, and Outside Providence. Expect to see her more prominently in the future. Among the few older actors, Edmund Lyndeck has an "outstanding" bit as Barry's (Tom Green's) Grandfather Manilow!

This is director Todd Phillips' fictional feature debut. He is best known for his award winning and controversial documentary, Frat House. Phillips co-wrote the script with Scot Armstrong. Their French toast bit is sure to make me thing twice about ever ordering it again. I am also less likely to antagonize anyone that is serving me food! The plot is actually just a device on which to place the various stunts, but it really does work. Production credits fit the material and the music is appropriate. I am not a big fan of today's popular music, but I found myself liking much of what is used here.

I wouldn't even try to defend Road Trip, but I really enjoyed the ride. If you can tap into your inner adolescent, you will too.

Wayne Case works in the film industry in Hollywood, and still can't help himself - he loves the movies.

Got a problem? Email Wayne at filmmonthly@hotmail.com