Dude, Where’s My Car? **** (2000, Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner) – Classic Movie Review 1889

After a night they can’t remember, comes a day they’ll never forget! Bill and Ted for the year 2000 – only they’re now called Jesse and Chester, and played by Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott. These dumb and dumber, spaced-out, bumbling stoner dudes are roommates and serious slackers who really like to party.

After a wild night, they awaken to find they’ve trashed their girlfriends’ apartment, accepted stolen money from a transsexual stripper and misplaced a ‘continuum transfunctioner’ device that could destroy the universe. Oh, and they can’t find Jesse’s car.

Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000) takes place over one hilarious day that finds the duo retracing their steps while being pursued by hot chicks in black jumpsuits, two Nordic dudes, muscle-bound bullies, the transsexual stripper, a nerdy sci-fi cult, their angry girlfriends, the cops and a nefarious character called Nelson (David Herman) who talks like Yoda.

This incredibly inane, incredibly popular teen comedy effortlessly maintains its amusing, simple, sweet aura throughout, with two expertly done, gently funny star performances. No mugging, no overacting, no over-playing, just straightforward laugh-raising. Many thanks guys!

Whoever said ‘A fun, light hearted movie, with moments of comic genius’ – I’ll go with that. At the press preview, I was the only one laughing. Yet it’s funny all over again every time I see it.

Scott previously starred in the similar American Pie and Road Trip, though this is milder and sweeter than either of them. Scott wanted to do a sequel but alas Kutcher wasn’t keen. Guess they’re too old now, though Keanu Reeves is trying to get together a Bill and Ted sequel.

It is directed by Danny Leiner (Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies [Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle]) and written by Philip Stark, staff writer on South Park and That ’70s Show. These are the guys to blame if you didn’t like it. Jennifer Garner’s the female lead as Wanda, a role she probably leaves off her CV now.

Danny Leiner, the director of stoner comedies, died on 18 October 2018, age 57. His first feature is the 1996 comedy Layin’ Low starring Jeremy Piven and Edie Falco.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 1889

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/