Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment present an R rated 114 minute film directed by Greg Mottola and starring Jonah Hill (Seth), Michael Cera (Evan), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fogell), Bill Hader (Officer Slader), Seth Rogen (Officer Michaels), Ema Stone (Jules), Martha MacIsaac (Becca) with Stacy Edwards (Evan's mother), Scott Gerbacia (Jesse), Pamella D'Pella (Teacher), Casey Margolis (Young Seth) and Laura Merano (Little Becca).
The story follows three friends during their senior year of high school who have dreams of just fitting in amongst their peers. Seth and Evan, best friends will eventually be going separate ways after graduation. Evan holds a secret from Seth which involves Fogell, their other nerdy friend. It is there last chance of fitting in and losing their virginity at Jules party, who by the way Seth has a crush on. But their invite to the party holds a promise which is to supply the alcohol.
The quest begins with Fogell's fake ID when he enters a liquor store and the boys paths start to go in separate directions. Fogell, aka Mclovin, gets caught up in a robbery at the store and befriends two crazy in search of their inner child cops. Seth gets hit by a car and bribes the strange local driver bent on myspace to come up with booze for them or else he and Evan will turn the guy in for running him down with his car. Evan, of course not thinking with his correct head since he has a crush on Becca, goes along for the ride. The story becomes a bit over the top and crude from this point on but it is a film about high school kids out to impress some girls and get laid. Grant it the language and content in this film is far from what you would see in classics like "Sixteen Candles" or "The Breakfast Club".
The story takes me back to my childhood and my best friend, Chucky and the trials and tribulations involved with growing up. Grant it every other word out of my mouth did not start with "F" nor did I destroy a police cruiser, and flee from the law. Ok maybe I did, just once. Wow, this film really does have some relevance to "SOME" not all real life situations, kidding! Anyway, kids tend to do some crazy things when trying to find themselves but on a scale of 1-10 these kids have trouble with a capital "T" following them around like a drunken shadow.
The F bomb, the penis, and of course the function of the vagina are all supporting characters in this over the top but entertaining film sure to appeal to the younger generation, creating somewhat of a baby boomers flashback to puberty. Like the ancient cavemen on their quest for fire these boys were on a quest for alcohol. On their journey they discover a bit more about themselves, their classmates, and that in one way or another no matter what path you take life has a way of becoming full circle right back at you.
But always remember in the end to say, "I love you" and beware of tight jeans and the infamous male camel toe. So in this boy meets girl, girl gets boy than loses boy, boy has boy but loses boy but gets girl comedy, in the end truth be told, secrets revealed and of course what better place to hang out than the mall.
The writing by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg was quite crude and ridiculous at times, the acting was perfect and the direction worthy of a ticket at the box office all adding up to a much more real yet absurd and less colorful take on "American Pie". Remember if you're afraid of the one eyed snake this film may be a bit to deep in the jungles bush for you. Somehow, I doubt it though! I think it will probably perform quite well at the box office since raunchy humor, youth, sex, drugs and rock and roll seems to live on to this day. Always remember, lessons learned, to never drink and drive, a car that is!
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.