Introductoin
Released in December 2001, Not Another Teen Move is a comedic send up of the late 90s and early 2000s teen romatic teen comedies. Directed by Joel Gallen in his feature film debut, the movie aims for every cliche and plot device used in high school flicks, parodying and blending pratfalls. It is a hallmark of early 2000s spoof cinema, one of the most prominent examples of the time.
The film builds off the teen classics suchas She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, American Pie, Cruel Intentions, and Varsity Blues, while mocking older staples like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. The film serves as both a nostalgia trip and a satirical commentary as long as the audience is familiar with the pop culture references.
Synopsis
The movie sets its scene in John Hughes High School, a fictional institution named after one of the most influential filmmakers of teenager movies during the 80s. The main story features Jake Wyler, the school’s star quarterback and a stereotypical, popular jock, who accepts a bet to turn the school’s biggest outcast into a prom queen. This storyline comes directly from the 1999 hit movie She’s All That, one of the most well-known teen romances from the 90s.
The “ugly” girl in question is Janey Briggs, a “crafty” girl who used to wear overalls and a pony tail with thick glasses. While she’s styled in an over-the-top unappealing way, Jake’s love interest is a classic beauty. Throughout the movie, we see Jake courting “Janey” and confronting a series of ridiculous, miscommunication based, and interference from other rival groups.
The film has woven with the main story a parody of various other teenager movie premises. For example, the film has a “token” Black character who only exists to serve stereotypes about race and delivers race-based commentary. The same applies to the foreign-exchange student, as well as an over the top guidance counselor. Seemingly, the film mocks high school “dramatic” events that are held in a considerable hyperbole such as football games and the prom.
The climax of the story happens at the prom, intertwining romantic reveals, love declarations, public love-claiming, all strained through a single chaotic lens. Just like any good parody, the end is a mess of all possible clichés. There is, of course, a final stampede of emotion as everyone hits their peak of over-the-top sobbing while Jake rushes to keep Janey from leaving and everyone partner shifts without de-partnering.
The cast is made up of notable parody actors, veterans in the comedy industry, and twinkling hopefuls.
Captain America stans would recognize Chris Evans as Jake Wyler. Before the fame, he filled the shoes as a stereotypical high school sweetheart.
Chyler Leigh as Janey Briggs reacquired her role of the Duck with the transformation into the prom queen.
And Jake’s cheerleader ex, Priscilla, is played by Jaime Pressly.
Eric Jungmann as Ricky Lipman portrayed Janey’s nerdy love struck friend.
Deon Richmond as Malik, the self aware “token” Black guy.
Eric Christian Olsen is the frumpy rival quarterback Austin.
And last but not least, Randy Quaid as Mr. Briggs, Janey’s outlandish father.
The culmination of the decades worth of teen films in the script, filled with in-jokes from a multitude of films all written by different screenwriters, single-handedly crafted by Joel Gallen, a director known for his video production of relive shows and later stand-up specials.Style and Humor
Not Another Teen Movie uses crude methods of physical humor, sexual references, and quotes from other movies to build its humor. The joke relies on the spectator’s experience and memory of the original material. The makeover scene where Janey becomes a beauty queen ‘transforming’ Janey is a hilarious take on She’s All That, and the detention scene is a parody of The Breakfast Club to the point where it is recited word for word, only to take a turn towards the ridiculous.
Unlike other films, the humor in this one is more self-referential. It includes Malik, who for example, keeps on telling other characters that there is a limit to his role in the plot, which is to a make a few remarks on race. This is because that is all “token” Black characters were often given to do in teen comedies.
Themes and Targets
This action comedy, like other movies, mainly aims at entertaining the audience. However, it also provides a narration on the repetitive nature of high school films and their templates. It shows the way women are reduced to mere love interests, how minorities are turned into tokens, and how the emotional conflict in teen movies is often over the top.
It pokes fun at the high school life shown in Hollywood movies, like the over-exaggerating high school campus size, outlandish week-long romances, and high school dropouts in their thirties pretending to be teens.
Critical Reception
Not Another Teen Movie received mixed and negative reviews, as critics called it ‘juvenile’ and ‘unstable’ due to its over-reliance on gross-out humor. Others pointed to the repetitive references as shallow and little more than a checklist made up of better films prior to its release.
Unlike critics’ views, the audience, especially teenagers and spoof fans, appreciated the unwarranted ridiculousness. Over time, it developed a cult following, particularly from those nostalgic for late 90s teen comedies. For many, the film acts as a time capsule of early 2000s humor – bold, unapologetic, and unrefined.
Cultural Impact
Parodying teen movies, ‘Not Another Teen Movie’ was released during the same time as ‘Scary Movie’ and ‘Superhero Movie’ which are a part of a wave of spoof films that emerged in the late 90s and early 2000s. Even though the spoof genre is not as popular as it used to be, the film remains a key part in which it showcased a certain era in cinema, mocking recent films as well as decades old masterpieces.
It also inadvertently brought about the career of Chris Evans, who would later on become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. His role here is often revisited in interviews as a laughable reminder of his career choices.
Conclusion
Like many movies, Not Another Teen Movie has its strengths and weaknesses. The film is definitely focused on using and poking fun at every possible clichéd were from other teen movies. For older viewers who grew up watching the movies that the film takes a jab at, the film offers a chaotic, self-aware romp down memory lane that is more than happy to be silly.
Watch free movies on Fmovies