"Eurotrip" (DreamWorks)
If you are a fan of “Animal House,” “Road Trip,” or “Old School” then you might get some enjoyment out of “Eurotrip.” But then again maybe you won’t. In those movies the humor was rowdy and crude but it wasn’t mean spirited. In this movie there are scenes which ridicule the Pope, and also show a young German boy imitating Hitler. That takes the humor level down a notch or two or three.
The film follows the adventures of four recent high school graduates. They are Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz), Cooper (Scott Harris), Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg), and Jamie (Travis Webster). Scott has just been dumped by his girl Fiona (Kristin Kreuk) so he is down in the dumps. The twins, Jenny and Jamie, are already headed to Paris so they want Scotty and Cooper to come along.
Scotty decides to go to Europe when he learns that his e-mail penpal from Germany named Mieke (Jessica Bohrs) is a girl and not a boy. It is a wild case of mistaken identity that has gotten her angry and so she has blocked his e-mails to her. Since he can’t call or contact her otherwise, he has no choice but to go to Europe to see her.
In this movie responsible parenting does not exist. Kids take off for Europe like they were running down to the 7-11. Pre-teens use the worst profanity and their parents just smile. Underage drinking and sexual activity are not only accepted, they are promoted. And there is never a negative consequence to be found.
Mechlowicz is forgettable as Scotty, while Harris appears to be channeling David Spade. Webster is appropriately up tight and Trachtenberg is the most likeable of the four. Lucy Lawless makes a sensuous appearance as a brothel madam with a taste for sado-masochism. And Vinnie Jones uses four letter words with glee as a soccer champ.
The best cameo in the film belongs to Matt Damon as a punk rocker who takes up with Scotty’s ex. Damon is unrecognizable with his shaved head and tattoos, and does his part with more energy than he has had in any role so far.
The movie is rated R for nudity, profanity and sexual situations.
“Eurotrip” is a teenage boys’ fantasy adventure. It is rude, crude and excessive which is what some people really want. Others will find it veered over the line with its comedy and entered the offensive range.
I scored “Eurotrip” a well-traveled 3 out of 10.
