Two star

THIS is the latest in a long line of teen movies which have crept their way back into fashion over the last couple of years, thanks to American Pie.

But there are a few clues which should all point to the fact that this really is a very poor relation of its predecessors.

Number one. It has Jack Black (of Shallow Hal fame) in it. Not a good start.

Number two. Jason Biggs (Jim from AP I&II) reprises his nice-but-incredibly stupid guy role. Which is fine twice but starts to wear a little thin the third time.

Number three. It has Neil Diamond playing himself. It's been done before with Tom Jones (Mars Attacks) and it's been done better.

Biggs plays Darren, best friend of Wayne and JD, who can at best be described as dumb in the extreme.

When Darren hitches up with Judith, a cold-hearted manipulative psychologist, his friends set out to convince him to dump her.

So they kidnap (?) her and try to persuade Darren to marry his long-lost love - before she becomes a nun.

The humour is juvenile, sometimes bordering on uncomfortable, and there's a sense of relief when it's over.

DVD extras include outtakes, trailer and director's commentary.

If you're bored, take a look. If you've got something better to do, don't.

SC