"21 and Over" is like a 21st Century version of "Animal House" and "Porky's" - only this one comes with a bit of a social conscience, as befits the times we live in.

Miles Teller, Skylar Astin. and Justin Chon play buddies from childhood, now ending their time in college, who reunite to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of them, Jeff Chang (Chon). Astin's Casey is the stuffed shirt who's already on the fast track to a career on Wall Street after he graduates; Chon's Jeff is the stressed-out A-student whose dad is pressuring him to ace a med school interview the next day; and Teller's Miller is the Stiffler-type wise-ass who refuses to grow up, convinced that the only life worth living is one patterned after the "American Pie" movies.

Against their better judgment, Astin and Teller- take Chon out for a celebratory bender, resulting in what anyone with any knowledge of how these things customarily work out in the movies can plainly predict. Yet, beyond all the drinking, brawling, sex rituals and generalized pandemonium, "21 and Over" actually has some poignant things to say about friendship and finding that fine line between becoming a mature adult and selling out to a life devoid of fun and joy. Luckily, the screenplay by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (who also directed the film together) doesn't overdo it in the moralizing department, neatly balancing the insights with a steady stream of ultra-crass frat-boy hijinks. The movie even has some fun skewering the misogyny and sexual double standards that prevail among some of the male youth of today.

The movie is helped immeasurably by the performers who bring both humor and heart to the proceedings. They make the nonsense not only bearable but actually quite enjoyable at times.

Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) are old high school friends to JeffChang (Justin Chon). They haven't seen him for awhile, and they plan to party for his 21st birthday. Miller is a crass idiot. Casey wants to be reserved and is infatuated with beautiful Nicole (Sarah Wright). JeffChang gets pass out drunk, and the guys have to figure out where he lives.

The three guys are lesser versions of better actors elsewhere. The story is a lesser version of other drunken party animal movies. Even the guys make-out scene is a lesser version of 'American Pie 2'. In this movie, it doesn't get a laugh. A lot of this movie don't get a laugh. I do like the guys, but the movie needs better everything. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore are first time directors, and it shows.

Nicole (Sarah Wright) states the theme when she says, "Oldest friends are the weirdest friends." In this story two "odd couple" friends Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) decide to take out mutual friend Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) on his 21st birthday to the objection of Chang's father (François Chau).

Miles Teller plays a colorful character who caught the essence of John Belushi from "Animal House" as well as a few of his lines. He was refreshing to watch as the other two actors were essentially straight men for him. Chang passes out and has an important appointment the next day. His friends frantically try to locate his house, even though they were there just hours ago. The film consists of the cast of cliche characters they encounter through their drunken night as they find out things about Jeff that are contrary to what they knew of him as a friend.

The film starts out fairly decent, even up through the first bar scene. After that it starts to slide into a "been there done that, got the t-shirt" mode where the fun has worn off and you wait for something original to happen.

"21 and over" is definitely for 21 and under.

Parental Guide: F-bombs, male rear nudity/sock puppets.