Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)

Directed by: Danny Leiner | 83 minutes | comedy, fantasy, science fiction | Actors: Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Marla Sokoloff, Kristy Swanson, David Herman, Hal Sparks, Charlie O’Connell, John Toles-Bey, Christian Middelthon, David Bannick, Turtle, Bob Clendenin, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kevin Christy, Kristoffer Ryan Winters, Bill Chott, Michael Bower, ‘Stuttering’ John Melendez, Teressa Tunney, Linda Porter, Freda Foh Shen, Mitzi Martin, Nichole Hiltz, Linda Kim, Mia Trudeau, Kim Marie Johnson, Keone Young, Christopher Darga, Marc Lynn, Pat Finn, Cleo King, Cinco Paul

Either you love ‘Dude, Where’s My Car’ or you don’t like it at all. There is no in-between with this kind of corny comedies. If you can appreciate ‘Road Trip’ (2000), ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ (2001) and the ‘American Pie’ movies, then you’re in the right place. If not, then this film is not for you, the title should speak for itself.

It’s the ultimate dude movie: strippers, alien chicks, alien dudes, space nerds, twinks, ostriches, pudding, twins, a transsexual and a lost car. Not to mention Yoda figure Nelson, his equally stoned dog, an angry Mr. Pizzacoli, the madman in the cage, that coveted Continuum Transfunctioner and a girl named Christie Boner. Everyone seems to want something from Jesse (Ashton Kutcher) and Chester (Seann William Scott) today, unfortunately they can’t remember what they were up to last night. “Sense memory simulated perception altered consciences memory retrieval,” Chester then suggests. Yes, they look stupid but they also watch Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Well, you never know when such knowledge can come in handy.

Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott know what to do with crazy roles. Kutcher rose to fame as the handsome but less gifted Kelso from ‘That ’70s Show’ (1998-2006). He also plays hidden camera pranks on celebrities in the MTV program ‘Punk’d’ (2003). Seann William Scott will always be recognized as crazy Stifler from the ‘American Pie’ movies. In ‘Final Destination’ (2000), ‘Road Trip’ (2000) and ‘Evolution’ (2001) he plays silly, comical characters. In most movies, the physical jokes are at his expense. You can’t find a prettier duo with better comic timing and click for the roles of Jesse and Chester. Some compare them to Bill and Ted from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), Wayne and Garth of Beavis and Butthead.

The story of ‘Dude, Where’s My Car’ was once a concept for a ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ movie. Jennifer “Alias” Garner and Marla Sokoloff play the boys Wanda and Wilma’s friends. They may well pass for twins. Charlie O’Connell (brother of) is twink Tommy who likes to crush Jesse and Chester. There are also cameos from Andy Dick, Kristy Swanson and model Fabio. The music is as appropriate as it is cool. ‘Dude, Where’s My Car’ is a great find-your-car adventure that almost culminates in an intergalactic crisis. You laugh your ass off at the Chinese fast food drive-through, and then at the tailor for their new tattoos, and then at Zoltan’s space cult, and then….? The biggest joke is the Renault five that Jesse and Chester are all about. A topper within the genre of bland teenage humor. Shibby!