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Not Another Teen Movie
By Hollis Griffin,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Teenage Wasteland -- strictly for older teens.
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Not Another Teen Movie
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Based on 7 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
A parody of movies marketed to teens, NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE depicts what happens when popular jock Jake Wyler (Chris Evans) bets his friends that he can turn any girl into the prom queen merely by associating with him -- even nerdy artist Janey Briggs (Chyler Leigh). The movie borrows liberally both from '80s teen classics like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty in Pink and popular '90s teen flicks like 10 Things I Hate About You, Can't Hardly Wait, and Jawbreaker to wildly lampoon the narratives, characters, and settings that have become the hallmarks of the teen genre. At the same time, it places sex in the foreground -- but not the blushing, naïve pursuits in the name of lust and love so common to teen flicks. Rather, it opts for intergenerational lesbian sex, mother-son and sister-brother incest, and plenty of additional sexually explicit references.
Is It Any Good?
Not Another Teen Movie is both raunchy and excessive. The storyline is interspersed with a few truly funny references to the racial politics of teen comedies like Bring It On (where the white cheerleaders stole the dances moves from a cheerleading squad at a predominantly African-American high school). Also included are terrific cameos by Paul Gleason (who played the principal in The Breakfast Club), Mr. T, and '80s teen flick staple Molly Ringwald.
But the moments of inspiration are few and far between, and they're often drowned out by the nonstop raunch. And even the funny bits are best enjoyed by those old enough and mature enough to recognize that the sexual elements here are intended to be excessive.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the film is trying to make a particular point about teenage sexuality in the midst of all its spoofiness. Is there any kind of message to take away here?
How does the film establish Janey as "the nice ugly girl" vs. Priscilla as "the pretty bitch"? Why is the female foreign exchange student portrayed as a naïve sexpot? Does the film have any positive female characters?
How is seeking sex established as being appropriate for the male characters but inappropriate for the female characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 1, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: July 26, 2002
- Cast: Chris Evans , Chyler Leigh , Jaime Pressly , Lacey Chabert
- Director: Joel Gallen
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Indigenous actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 101 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong crude sexual content and humor, language, and some drug content
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
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