The teen sex comedy genre takes a European vacation in ‘Eurotrip,’ an amusing mix of cultural stereotypes, juvenile sight gags and gratuitous chest shots that will attract teenage boys in droves.

The film, which taps the same vein as ‘American Pie’ for laughs, incorporates all the expected elements. ‘Eurotrip’ simply rehashes the basic premise from 2000’s ‘Road Trip’ with a new – but still token – cast. This time around, the characters include the bosomy foreign girl, the sex-obsessed best friend and the dork who finally has sex. However, the move to Europe and the fresh-faced cast liven up the familiar antics.

After the amusing credits, which manage to make even airline safety instructions dirty, ‘Eurotrip’ introduces its globe-trotters: four graduating seniors from Hudson High School with different reasons for heading to Europe. After hurting the feelings of his long-time German pen pal Mieke (Jessica Boehrs) with a drunken e-mail, nice guy Scott (Scott Mechlowicz) decides to go to Berlin to confess his love. His sex-obsessed best friend Cooper (Travis Pitts) goes along for the crazy European sex, because he believes the women overseas are more willing.

‘Our country was founded by prudes,’ he says.

Across the pond, they meet up with their friends, ‘the world’s worst twins,’ Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jake (Travis Wester). While Jake obsesses over his handy Frommer’s guide, Jenny uses the trip to try to separate herself from being one of the guys. In one scene, she points out her gender after Scott makes a crude comment in front of her.

‘You’re not a girl,’ he responds. ‘You’re just a cool guy with long hair.’

The four map out a quick route from Paris to Berlin so Scotty can meet up with Mieke. But, naturally, the trip doesn’t go as planned.

Though the film was shot entirely in Prague, ‘Eurotrip’ has the authentic feel of a backpacking vacation. Anyone who has spent time traveling through Europe will be able to relate to the zany encounters these young Americans have with foreigners. Hilarity ensues as they take detour after detour, crossing paths with crazed British soccer fans, French street performers, a slimy Italian gentlemen and a merciless Dutch dominatrix played by Lucy Lawless.

One scene finds the boys checking out a famous nude beach on the French coast. To their horror, there’s not a curvy young woman to be seen. They then are forced make a break for it when a group of flabby old men spot the bikini-wearing Jenny and give chase, chanting ‘Girl! Girl!’ as they gallop across the sand.

Later, experimentation with absynthe leads to an embarrassingly funny moment between Jenny and Jamie. Some of the jokes fall flat (a set piece involving the Pope’s hat drags on too long), but the film constantly delivers gut-busting laughs.

Though the characters are one-dimensional, the young stars of ‘Eurotrip’ make them appealing. In addition to these newcomers, keep an eye out for cameos from more-proven actors Kristen Kruek and Matt Damon.

If you’re in the mood for a mindless and fun comedy, this is the trip for you.

Published on February 19, 2004 at 12:00 pm