Dude, Where's My Car?

reviewed by Lynn Barker

Can you say "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure"? How about "Wayne's World"? How about "Road Trip"? The trouble with "Dude, Where's My Car?" is that you've been there, seen that and in a much better version. First thing you see on screen is a title telling you that this film is "based on a true story". Some guy actually lives like this? Hey, he wrote for "South Park"É'nuff said.

Stoners JESSE (Ashton Kutcher) and CHESTER (Seann William Scott) evidently party to the max and wake up the next morning without Jesse's car or a clue what went down the night before. They have a fridge full of pudding cups and, since their anniversary presents for their twin girlfriends WILMA (Marla Sokoloff) and WANDA (Jennifer Garner) were in the car, they start their bummed-out day searching for it.

Trying to retrace their steps, the two slacker dudes visit their guru/dealer, NELSON, who talks backwards like Yoda, and his pot-smoking dog. Later, they learn that one of them actually must have scored with super-babe CHRISTIE. What follows is a hodge-podge of disjointed plot points that includes a pissed-off transsexual stripper who wants her suitcase full of money and two sets of aliens and a bunch of nerdy UFO cultists all sure that the guys have their "continuum transfunctioner". Action (all contrived to get the guys in slapstick situations) continues with Jesse and Chester finally finding the alien device, learning that it's going to go off and blow up the universe and having to decide which of the two groups of aliens they should give it to. And, oh yeah, they won the pudding cups with a hole-in-one in miniature golfÉ.don't ask.

Get ready for a shocker. I didn't totally hate this movie. Kutcher ("That 70's Show") and Scott ("American Pie") have good comedic timing and give their best in their roles. These characters are beyond goofy but, like Bill and Ted or Wayne and Garth, they've got good hearts. There are a few non-lame chuckles that are actually fresh, if always out of left field. However, much of the film feels like a rehash. Mike Meyer's "Wayne" was always reacting to a hottie with the trademark "Schwing". These guys say "Shibby" every five minutes. If you like this style of wacky, nonsense humor, "Dude" may appeal to you. If you want to stay home and save your money, rent "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989) or "Wayne's World" (1992).

Rated: PG-13

Directed by: Danny Leiner
Screenplay by: Philip Stark
Starring: Ashton Kutcher as Jesse
Sean William Scott as Chester
Jennifer Garner as Wanda
Marla Sokoloff as Wilma
David Herman as Nelson
Kristy Swanson as Christie Boner

Official Website: www.dudewheresmycar.com