Role Models: I Loves Me Some Stifler

Premise: Paul Rudd freaks out after getting dumped, and ends up getting himself and his coworker (Seann William Scott) arrested after his presentation at a high school goes awry.  His girlfriend/attorney (Elizabeth Banks) manages to get them community service instead of a jail sentence, and they join "Sturdy Wings," a big brother knock-off run by Jane Lynch.  They match McLovin with Rudd and a hyper little black kid with Stifler.  Hilarity ensues.  

Comments: 

1. Though it certainly fits the mold, this is not an Apatow-related production.  Rather, it is a project from the comedy troupe that brought you The State, Viva Variety, Stella, Reno 911, and Wet Hot American Summer (which also featured Rudd and Banks).  It's directed by David Wain (Stella) and costars a bunch of them: Ken Marino, Kerry Kinney, A.D. Miles, and Matt Walsh.  

2.  Worth a watch, even just for Jane Lynch's antics (see also, the Christopher Guest collection, 40-Year Old Virgin) .  Her character is an ex-drug addict who's all too eager to talk about her sordid past.   For better or worse, she's cornered the market in hilariously creepy middle-aged sex-obsessed women.  Stay through the credits and watch her suggestively play with a hot dog. 

3.  This movie starts off as a standard (two pair) buddy film, but spends an awful lot of time hanging around live-action medieval role playing tournaments, where adults and children posing as dwarves and warriors and magicians "play fight" with plastic swords and shields.  A lot of the funniest moments arise from these goofy events.  

4.  I don't care what anyone says, Sean William Scott is great.  He's consistent, he knows how to execute toilet humor, and his delivery and facial expressions are funny regardless of the writing.  It's no accident that he's the only one from the American Pie franchise to really have any success [I'm looking at you, Chris Klein].  

Recommendation:  If you liked any of those Apatow-related films about manchildren, you'll like this (but you won't love it).