T👁️’s review published on Letterboxd:
(NOTE: This is a review of the extended, and unrated version, and not the original cut, because the original cut isn't even close to being as funny)
There's almost too many 'coming-of-age' and 'teen-sex comedy' clichés present but that's practically unnoticeable being that there's a butt-tonne of unexpected originality, truly great comedic performances, genuinely likable characters, and a charming already nostalgic vibe that felt like John Hughes being sensually raped by Tim & Eric.
The purposefully amateur editing is truly inspired, and the fact that they just left in a few bloopers at random was comically refreshing and made for a distinctly enjoyable experience. James Marsden gives a severely underrated and criminally overlooked comedic performance as Rex, the closeted homosexual douchebag. There isn't a scene that he's in where I wasn't laughing my ass off (all the memorable lines are uttered by him). Seth Green also gives a comically proficient and awkwardly hilarious performance as the sarcastic Amish car mechanic, Ezekiel (yeah, it's pretty stupid). The rest of the cast is fine, and there wasn't a character I found either annoying or pointless, which I can't say for the majority of these movies.
It's got several flaws, things that annoyed me (I just really hate Fall Out Boy, so when they made an appearance I kinda wanted to run a scalpel across my jugular, and furthermore, theirs), and it's not a movie I'd primarily watch not with friends. That being said, I still sorta love it's typical teen movie moments because I know that within years, when I watch it again, it's all just gonna serve as a fond memory. It's (soon to be) dated, and clichéd moments of cringing romance and typical sentimentality will only make it a more nostalgic experience during those future viewings.
'Sex Drive' works and exceeds within the confines of its genre because it accomplishes what 'EuroTrip', 'Private School', and 'Road Trip' failed to achieve: Consistent laughs, likable and distinguished characters, well-timed comedy (95% of the time), and finally a knowing that what it's doing isn't anything special. It panders to the demographic while maintaining a surprising amount of originality a genuineness. Overall, the film's self-awareness was what I respected most, and the fact that it greatly (I can't stress "greatly" enough) exceeded my expectations was nothing more than purely satisfying.