'Sex Drive' is secretly sweet as 'Pie'

"Sex Drive" is a warmed-over slice of "American Pie," but these days, there's something to be said for a decent plate of leftovers.

The movie isn't fresh, but understands what it's copying well enough to to it well - it's vulgar and secretly sweet in the manner of "Pie," and built around the idea that sexual bravado usually masks anxiety.

There are teen guys (a few) who strive for abstinence and achieve it, and then there are those who have abstinence thrust upon them - guys like Ian (Josh Zuckerman channeling Jason Biggs).

He's in love with a good friend (Amanda Crew) who's in love with his best friend (Clark Duke), and so he trolls the Internet looking for hook-ups.

The title derives from his plan to drive from Chicago to Knoxville to meet an on-line prospect, a cheerleader named Miss Tasty, who promises to relieve him of his virginity.

He steals his brother's muscle car, picks up his two pals, and soon "Sex Drive" is on the road for slapstick misadventure - Amish girls gone wild, Larry Craig-ish encounters in public restrooms, weirdo yahoo hitchhikers, etc. Having a girl in the mix is a welcome wrinkle.

Director Sean Anders is smart to make sure the focus isn't on the outrageous, but the characters in the midst of the chaos. He gets sincere performances from Zuckerman and Crew, and a funny one from Duke. He's doughy and unhandsome, but so full of self-confidence that he succeeds with all sorts of women, a running joke in "Sex Drive."

Seth Green is dry and funny in a supporting role and James Marsden has a loud turn as Ian's Stiffler-esque older brother, a macho type whose out-of-fashion homophobia would be offensive if it weren't soon clear where it's headed. *

Produced by Leslie Morgensten, Bob Levy and John Morris, directed by Sean Anders, written by Sean Anders and John Morris, music by Stephen Trask, distributed by Summit Entertainment.