retty much everything has been done before in teen sex comedies – and the creators of “Sex Drive” know it. To counteract the expected clichés, they have reversed the roles of a few of the stereotypical characters and intensified the vulgar events in some spots, but, sadly, it’s not enough to boost this story, these characters, and these gags into territory with which audiences aren’t entirely familiar. More often than not, it’s still funny, but all remnants of originality have been essentially forfeited.

Ian (Josh Zuckerman) is the typical, awkward, too-nice guy, desperate to lose his virginity before going off to college. Felicia (Amanda Crew) is his best friend since childhood, whom he secretly hopes will become more than that. And Lance (Clark Duke) is the roguish bad boy all the ladies seem to love. When these three misfits embark on a reckless road trip to Tennessee, with a plan for Ian to sleep with a sexy and mysterious girl he met on the internet, the trio will inevitably encounter all manner of chaos from an outrageous array of eccentric acquaintances.

The characters introduced throughout “Sex Drive” are the epitome of trite designs – there’s the nerdy protagonist focused only on bagging a babe, the pretty girl best friend dangling right before his eyes unnoticed, and the suave ladies’ man who can coach him on how to get the girl. There’s even the ruthless older brother, Rex (played by James Marsden and channeling Stifler from “American Pie”), who antagonizes and embarrasses young Ian at every turn. The big difference with “Sex Drive” is that the actors chosen for each role don’t match the preconceived appearances for these types of characters. Ian doesn’t look geeky enough, Lance doesn’t look macho enough, Felicia isn’t as laid back as she ought to be, and even Rex doesn’t always come across as intentionally wicked. This contrast of looks with character traits provides both a unique take on the genre and a harder grab for believability. When the short, pudgy (though confident) kid with glasses is the one that can woo any girl with ease, one has to wonder if this intentional stereotype reversal is confusing, refreshing, or inspiring. At least Seth Green is there as backup with his always uproarious, sarcastic Amish mechanic.

Additionally, the R rating is a welcome sight, as it allows the comedy to reach more risqué and adult heights (and perhaps appeal to a bigger audience), but the gross-out humor here tends to backfire more often than not – provoking disgust from the viewer in ever bigger doses as each gag outdoes the last in an inverse proportion of laughs to vulgarity. For every bizarre, unexplored, and ultimately hilarious predicament introduced (Mexican donut costumes, Amish shindigs, abstinence pledges), there is an equally overused and rehashed concept (rebellious road trips, crazy hitchhikers, extreme male nudity). “Sex Drive” does have its inventive moments, but with all the repetitious jokes scattered throughout, this is a picture likely to be forgotten amid the heap of other comparable releases.

– Joel Massie