Looking at EuroTrip 20 years later is the ultimate treat for fans of the wacky, offbeat, and borderline politically incorrect comedies that ruled the early 2000s. The 2004 film became a cultural sensation, and for good reason too. With its slapstick humor and catchy numbers like the famous “Scotty Doesn’t Know”, EuroTrip is as silly as it is a guilty pleasure.Â
Starring Scott Mechlowicz (Scotty), Jacob Pitts (Cooper), Travis Wester (Jamie), and the late Michelle Trachtenberg (Jenny), the film documented a not-so-typical post-high school road trip. In a nutshell, getting dumped in the most embarrassing way possible by his girlfriend spurs main character Scott to join his friends who are backpacking across Europe. He’s searching for his online pen pal who he mistook for a boy and could you blame him? Her name was Mieke (Jessica Boehrs). Years down the line, people still sing songs about Scotty… well at least one. But, it’s worth taking a closer look at how the movie itself has held up a whopping two decades down the line.
Is ‘EuroTrip’ Still Funny After 20 Years?
At first glance, EuroTrip may come off as a series of gags and skits stitched together. But, who needs plot consistency when you’ve got a cast that’s not afraid to look silly coupled with “tasteful” humiliation. But perhaps most of all, the movie is still a good watch thanks to the nostalgia factor. There’s something about comedy back in the early 2000s that was so raw and unfiltered. While being over the top, these films still managed to be relatable on some level. Eurotrip manages to capture the awkwardness and accompanying absurdity of growing up. Even better, it gives people the opportunity to find the humor in the unpredictability that often comes with life as a whole.
But, here’s the thing, in this age of political correctness and different stages of wokeness, perhaps EuroTrip is not the comedy for everyone. After a few constructive viewings, you’re bound to find a few eye-raising moments within the raunchy comedy. It’s safe to say, the it thrives heavily on crude humor, featuring themes such as vulgar nudity, homophobia and even incest. However, if you simply take EuroTrip for what it is, all the pieces just fall in place. A 2011 Ultra Culture article describes it as “a remarkably good-natured satire about American perceptions of Europe”. It doesn’t claim to be a cinematic masterpiece, but in more ways than one, it’s a a genius piece of popular culture that still inspires laughs.
Has ‘EuroTrip’ Stood the Test of Time? Let’s Ask Scotty
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If there’s one place where EuroTrip shines it’s in it’s witty and sharp shooting writing and situational humor. Writers Alec Berg, David Mandel, and Jeff Schaffer no doubt went out of their way to populate the script with memorable one-liners and over the top moments. From “mi scusi” to “this isn’t where I parked my car”, the movie literally has lines for days. Then of course there’s the epic song performed by none other than Matt Damon, “Scotty Doesn’t Know”. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a running joke through the movie, perhaps it was because it was because it was performed by an actor known for serious roles. But, the song still holds as much weight as it did back then and has cemented its place in popular culture.
Then there’s the epic cameos by the likes of Damon, Jeffrey Tambor as Scotty’s dad, Fred Armisen as the creepy Italian guy and Lucy Lawless as Madame Vandersexxx. The level of commitment they (among many others) brought to the outrageous storyline was icing on the cake. Sure, at the end of the day, EuroTrip came across like a fever dream on steroids. But it grounds itself in relatable themes like friendship, romance, and self-discovery. All in all, it cannot be overstated how memorable a viewing experience it delivered.
The Movie Is Not All Gags, There’s Some Heart Too
At first watch, EuroTrip is as gag-filled as they come. It is built on a run-of-the-mill premise, but the general silliness of the characters takes it to another level. However, it’s not all gags. It explores the dynamics within tight-knit friendship through a lens of personal growth. Through their shared experiences, the rag-tag group of friends find ways to grow individually. Scott is looking for love while Cooper is all about the thrill. Then there’s Jenny who wants to prove herself and Jamie finds unexpected romance. While the film jokes about cultural differences and is saturated in absurd situations, it has a hearty underlying theme. It’s about finding yourself and where you belong.
Looking to lean into the silliness and absurdity of EuroTrip? It’s streaming on Prime Video, watch it here.
