Euro Trip (DVD)

...by the same people), then Euro Trip was an even bigger disappointment. A 2004 release with an 'UNSEEN' label stuck on and an almost half naked girl, lets see what's really wrong with this.

The opening credits are quite comical, they're done in cartoon style, similar to those who have seen the beginning of 'Catch Me If You Can'. On the cartoon the characters are poking fun at the rules on a plane, as well as all different sorts of ...
...bullying isn't a factor in Euro Trip.

One of the best ongoing jokes of the film crops up here though as a band is playing at the party, the lead singer dedicates the next song to his girlfriend, Fiona. The song is entitled 'Scotty Doesn't Know' and is all about the times Fiona cheated on Scott. To add even more insult to injury the song was written as anniversary gift, so Scott is left wondering just how long Fiona was cheating on ... more

When in a bored state it is easy to pick up a DVD to pass the time, especially when it's one by the same producers as Road Trip and Old School. I saw Boat Trip, and if that wasn't a bad enough addition to the 'Trip' series of films (even though I'm pretty sure they're not created by the same people), then Euro Trip was an even bigger disappointment. A 2004 release with an 'UNSEEN' label stuck on and an almost half naked girl, lets see what's really wrong with this.

The opening credits are quite comical, they're done in cartoon style, similar to those who have seen the beginning of 'Catch Me If You Can'. On the cartoon the characters are poking fun at the rules on a plane, as well as all different sorts of situations, and I suppose this could be one of the best things about the film. In the actual film there isn't much ongoings on actual plane trips between countries, so I guess having this as the beginning is supposed to make up for that in a way.

Scott Mechlowicz plays the lead character in Scotty Thomas, this is one of Mechlowicz only big time roles although I still got the feeling I knew him from somewhere. I think that's down to him looking like a cross between Zach Braff and David Duchovny. The first scene of the film has Scott graduating, before his long time girlfriend Fiona (Kristin Kreuk) comes along and breaks his heart as Scott's family video tape the whole exchange. Scott's heart is broken, and you get the feeling that it's going to be a very typical teen film, perhaps with a little extra potential than usual films but that goes out the window.

As Scott's best friend Cooper (Jacob Pitts) watches the footage with Scott's brother, Bert, of him being dumped over and over again they get a good laugh out of it all. Scott's not so happy though, and deals with his problem by e-mailing his German pen pal everytime his computer screams, "You got mail muthaf*cka," at him. Cooper warns Scotty that speaking to someone over the internet for help at German is one thing, but actually being friends like girl scouts do is another. They then head off for what all teen films have to have - the house party.

There we are introduced to the other two lead characters, the 'worst twins ever', in Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jamie (Travis Wester). The whole cast is relatively unknown to me although the twins have featured in Buffy and CSI respectively. Jenny and Jamie are going backpacking across Europe for summer, whilst Scott is planning on working for his father and Cooper is going to be working for a law firm. With a very predictable summer ahead for half of them they try to enjoy one of their last times together, as after the summer they will be going in their different directions to pursue their further education.

Cooper is the sexed crazed one of the group, whilst Scott is probably the most grounded one. Jenny is considered one of the guys and everytime she reminds them she is a girl she is told that - no - she isn't. Jamie is the geek, having saved all his money up to buy the latest camera technology and he even brings a travellers guide to the holiday to boast about the landmarks he shall be visiting. It's not your really typical crazy house party scene, and is relatively short with not much happening, and in most films you would find someone like Jamie being kicked out - although bullying isn't a factor in Euro Trip.

One of the best ongoing jokes of the film crops up here though as a band is playing at the party, the lead singer dedicates the next song to his girlfriend, Fiona. The song is entitled 'Scotty Doesn't Know' and is all about the times Fiona cheated on Scott. To add even more insult to injury the song was written as anniversary gift, so Scott is left wondering just how long Fiona was cheating on him for and how many people with. Thinking he was the one, it's now apparent he was more likely to be one of 101.. 201. I know I was going on about how this film doesn't have any big stars, but looking at the credits I am shocked to find that the leader singer in the band, Donny, is actually played by Matt Damon. They look NOTHING alike. Strange.

And Euro Trip gets its 15 certificate as Cooper says so well when he uncovers 3 topless girls in a jacuzzi together. Cooper jumps in the jacuzzi fully clothed saying, "This isn't where I parked my car." He then convinces the girl that she has something on her breast, and gets her to continuously rub it and lick it to try and get the non-existant mark off. Cooper pretty much saved this film from being the worst thing in my collection, because Jamie isn't offering anything in a co-star role, and neither is Scott really.

I actually took German at secondary school, although dropped it before GCSE level, which is why I tried my best to find the word so that I could get this scene exactly right for you. Sorry, I can't. Basically Scott returns home from the party, drunk, and sees Mieke (Jessica Boehrs) has sent him another e-mail from Germany. This time when he translates what she has written it says she wants to meet him. Scott, thinking Mieke is German for Mike, immediately thinks he's fending off a gay stalker sending back an offensive e-mail. By the time Bert reads Scott's e-mails the next morning and tells his brother he's turned down an incredibly hot girl, Mieke has already blocked Scott from sending her any further messages.

When Cooper arrives around Scott's, being the friend Scott can't get rid of, Scott reveals to him he's in love with his pen pal. Cooper says he's honoured that Scott choose him to come out to, but then Scott sets the record straight with his friend by showing him the picture of Mieke and her geeky looking cousin. Convincing him to be unpredictable, Scott and Cooper decide to fly to Berlin to meet Mieke in person. To do this they want cheap flights, and they know they can get them by delivering a package, only there are no cheap flights to Germany for a week. They accept a cheap flight to London instead, after Cooper insists you can walk from London to Berlin no problem. And so begins in motion their trip around Europe.

A tried and tested formulae like going from location to location, how could it go wrong? Well it starts going wrong immediately with half baked ideas like having Scott and Cooper go into a pub that is filled with "soccer hooligans" so they have to pass themselves off as Man Utd fans. This is Vinnie Jones cameo, and after another night of drinking where Scott promises himself in the morning that he will never drink again, the next thing they know they're heading off to Paris. This is where they will reunite with Jenny and Jamie, however getting from Paris to Berlin isn't going to be any easier.

On the DVD cover there is the usual quotes from reviews, and one from News Of The World raises a good point. This film does remind me a lot of National Lampoons Vacation, although that was probably a better film as it didn't have the teen infulence and just had good old comedy. Each time they go to new locations we get a filler scene where things associated with that country cover the screen, such as when they go to London there's the Queen, and they do this for Amsterdam, Germany and Italy as well.

Jenny is very, very goodlooking in my opinion and it's not until this trip that Cooper begins to have a sexual attraction to her. In Cooper's way however shall be a rich French guy named Christoph (Patrick Rapold) and Jenny's dream of meeting a millionaire and going on romantic cruises with him is nearly complete. Cooper's dream of escaping American prudes and having crazy European sex has never felt so far away however. This leads them to a nudist beach, and whilst you do not see anything of the lead characters there are bleading of male extras to fill the beach - naked. It's a complete sausage fest, as all the women have been scared away.

Getting between countries is going to be no easy route and it is on a train ride that they meet a very freaky homosexual man who comes on to Jamie everytime they go through a dark tunnel. This is the only part of the film I've ever watched with anyone, but that's just because my mum was passing through the room. She found it entertaining, but it is kind of typical comedy, nothing special, and if you see that bit you may be intrigued to watch more, but don't. The travelling between countries is also demonstrated on the meal table where the group agreed to go on this crazy trip at. You see a thick red line going from say a lobsters claw to an ash tray to demonstrate going from place to place.

I don't want to say too much because it will ruin all the good parts of the film, although I hope you've got an idea of what the main laugh scenes are going to be. At just 84 minutes it's a fairly easy watching film, although I'm glad it's short because it's not that good. Rewatching it today it was better than when I first watched it, whether that comes from more appreciation of Cooper's Vandersekks scene or Scott kicking a robot in the balls I don't know, but if you see this movie on TV and want some senseless comedy you may as well watch it. I wouldn't recommend it otherwise though. Scotty never knew, and quite frankly I don't know either why this film was made. Having said that just because it's not a classic doesn't mean there's not someone out there that might like it, right?  

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