National Lampoon's Going the Distance

If you have watched as many Canadian movies I have over the years, you have probably learned to avoid them, at least if they are ones that have received funding from the government. However, when I learned that this one was aimed at a wider-than-usual audience than usual (instead of being just made for the filmmaker, his friends, and the art-loving government), plus the fact that I was able to see it for free (no way I am spending money on a Canadian government-funded movie!), I decided to give it a chance. There are some positive things I can say about this Canadian movie. The scenery is breathtaking at times. This movie not only has a pleasant backdrop, it makes the movie seem more fresh. The production values, though low budget, are a step up from most Canadian films. Also, the characters are (for the most part), a more likable bunch of characters than what you usually get for a youth-oriented comedy. This probably also explains why the movie seems less crude than the usual youth-oriented comedies you see. But overall, the movie didn't work. The main reason for that is pretty simple - the movie isn't very funny. Most of the gags are predictable and tired, with no imagination to them despite the enthusiastic cast that performs them. Another fault of the movie is that the main character (for reasons that I won't spoil) becomes somewhat less sympathetic in the last quarter of the movie. Still, this movie is a step up for Canadian film-making. Let's hope it inspires other Canadian filmmakers (as well as the Canadian government) to make movies with an AUDIENCE in mind, instead of the usual arty crap that NOBODY wants to see (either in Canada or elsewhere). (P.S. - This movie actually played on prime time television in Canada with all the nudity, language, and sex-related material intact, and NOBODY complained! The American TV censors could learn something from this.)

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S GOING THE DISTANCE delivers what you'd expect from a NL movie, that being sex, drugs, horny teens and a predictable plot. That said, it is not a bad movie but it's not exactley good. The part where the farmers daughter performs a explicit act on Dime at the dinner table and then moves on over to the girl is hilarious, the scene with Dime clicking pictures of the girl bathing * in a lake (wtf was her name?) and then falling into the water and continuing to take pictures of her is not. And if you've ever wanted to see Jason Preistly pull a condom out of his mouth, then this is the movie for you. I rate it a 5 because I'm stuck in the middle when it comes to this one. There's plenty to like and dislike. That said, I can't tell you to watch it but I can't tell you not to either. I hope this isn't confusing. It's your call on this one.

Wow, who'd thought it. An underground film that has a pop star in it is an advertisement to lameness. Fortunately, this one is the exception. The story and the casting here are very similar to "American Pie", but better written. Despite some predictable scenes like the two old girls in the bar, the film is most of the time surprising and we don't know what's gonna happen next. These boys face lots of situations that are possible (and funny), like the naughty girl daughter of the farmer. That scene was hilarious, a la Scary Movie. Thumbs up for Shawn Roberts and Mayko Nguyen who really do their best to get in this film's mood. And congratulations for the writer - I really found the plot very entertaining.

Just what a true "hoser" would expect from the great white north, eh? This movie is absolutely hilarious from start to finish as a group of young adults make their way across Canada from Tofino to Montreal, then back to Toronto while overcoming different problems along the way. Included in this movie are many "insider" jokes that likely only a Canadian would get, but that might be what makes this movie work for those cold, igloo living, hockey playing Canucks up north. With time, I would fully expect this to be a Canadian Movie classic, right up there with Strange Brew (1983) and Porky's (1982). GOD BLESS THE SUPER SEXE ALL YOU CAN EAT LUNCH BUFFET!!! (for those that have been there, you know the truth!) I fully recommend this movie with a case of Labatt Blue and a bag of salt and vinegar chips. A full 10 out of 10.

Is it really the way comedies should follow. I can't believe that watching such trash, and I mean real trash is enjoyable. People who watch this and laugh their ass off are surely low on a ICQ, surely they will laugh if you make a flick about two people shitting at each other. You can put this piece of $^%^$^&%$&^ along with the another flick White Coats. Same humor, same idiotic situations. Still there is one thing funny about this movie, the makers of it trying to be at the end of it very firm about love aspect(yeah, right). I can't believe I've wasted almost 90 minutes on this picture. May God himself forgive you when you are burning in hell.

i loved this movie. it wasn't the best thing i have ever seen but it was pretty damn good. i mean it had all the things a NL movie should have. I'm not gonna say it was grate because of the sex, and * scenes although they were a plus. this movie was all in all enjoyable. i gave it an 8 out of 10 because of its cheesy predictable plot. and the fact that they didn't have sum 41 in the much music awards scene really turned me off a little. OK and BTW sorry to get off topic but how would you know that sum 41 is "fake punk" i bet you wouldn't know punk if vicious himself crawled out of his grave and beat you over the head with a shovel.

This movie has lots of laughs. Great characters, you really DO want to see them hook up and have sex. Great * scenes at the farmer's house, Jason Priestly had a great cameo and "Tyler" was pretty funny while being distinctly more intelligent and less obnoxious than "Stiffler" from American Pie. Joanne Kelly's upper lip is strange...but she is hot. This movie has just enough tits and sex although there could be more and it wouldn't hurt the film. Great Canadian Rockies footage and Tofino. The West Coast hippy parents were funny. Go see this movie, especially if you are from the West Coast and if you like movies like American Pie. I'm looking forward to seeing these actors in some more great Canadian films. Hopefully we'll see more funny films filmed in Canada like this one. 8/10.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone but if you like movies like American Pie (and I mean all of them 2 and 3 were pretty hurtin) then you'd definitely like this movie. I think this movie is as good as the American Pie sequels and they both rate a 6.3 so I think this movie deserves better then a 5.2. I rated it a 7 but that's probably due in part to the fact that this is a Candian film. I don't think it is a bad thing for the Canadian film industry to be making commercial films like this one. Every film that comes out of canada doesn't have to be an art film. Even though I love Canadian art films. Only a diverse Canadian film industry can grow. So go watch it and expect a lot of dick and fart jokes.

First I would like to point out that it's GOB not Sum 41. Also I thought the cameos from Avril, GOB, the MUCH Music dude, and Swollen Members was pretty cool to see. As the topic states I think this is like a Canadian version of American Pie. Only better. It seemed to go farther than AP was willing to go. The storyline was cheesy and predictable but it's a teen comedy. It's main purpose is to make people laugh. Which I did. Hopes this helps with anyone's decision on whether or not to watch it. P.S. Not every movie needs to be totally artsy or indie to be watchable.

After having watched American Pie: Bandcamp, this is a rather refreshing take on the teen-movie road-trip genre. Sure, I spotted parallels to Harold & Kumar, Roadtrip, etc., but this movie was different. Maybe it was because the acting was fresh or because the dialogue was real, but this movie carries some--albeit crude--personality. The biggest feat was the lack of gimmicks; sorry kiddies, no stoned cheetahs, voyeur robots, or drawn-out cameos. There's enough human behavior to get you buzzed by the philosophy of it all, but not so much as to not have a good time. On the other extreme, the film is tasteful, not raunchy, and has great sense of adult humor. It's like a diluted high school version of Sideways.