The story is timeless; this could have taken place when Doyle graduated in '76 -- or any year, really, since the effects of high school linger throughout adult life and nerds are forever.

Isn't especially hilarious, but it has a warm sense of humor instead of a string of gross-out jokes. It'll be a cable mainstay.

Has some smart flashes, and a few of the young performers resemble real people and not the usual prefab teen idols.

For a teen film to resonate, it has to feel honest, and I Love You, Beth Cooper simply comes off as too paint-by-numbers to achieve any level of emotional authenticity.

There's a sense that a much better movie is trying to get out but it never attains escape velocity.

Of the two co-stars, what I can say is that I'm looking forward to their next films.

The problem with I Love You, Beth Cooper is that aside from Denis' speech at the start, everything else seems familiar.

Panettiere, I'm sad to report, is a dud as the title character, a supposed wild thang who never rises above the level of runty, obnoxious mall chick, down to the roll-on tan.

The movie feels like something parents want their kids to see. Harold and Kumar wouldn't want anything to do with Beth Cooper or Denis Cooverman. You're probably not going to like them much either.

Since that gifted, attractive performer is Hayden Panettiere, who has already won a wide following for "Heroes," it's a wonder that the studio hasn't been more heavily promoting her appearance in this decent, genial youth comedy. After all, she does play, ah, Beth Cooper.

This leaden teen comedy is meant to be lively, but it's curiously bland.

Isn't a terrible addition to the teen coming-of-age party movie catalog. It just feels dated.

Not a remake -- it just feels like one.

Moves along, taking two steps backward into crassness for every clever or just plain sweet moment it offers. Although many of the movie's problems seem to be rooted in the script, Columbus has such a heavy touch that he sabotages nearly every scene.