Road trips are a part of everyone’s youth. They help build self discovery and walk us through leaving of the nest. They help youth define who they are while discovering their independence. Other types of road trips are possible, but the ones that happen during youth can’t be relived. No matter how hard you try. After all, people can make mistakes during them, and they can only learn their lessons once. Thankfully, film can help bring back the memories of those days. Road trip movies are a dime a dozen, but no matter how bad they are they can usually evoke a smile or two and bring viewers back to a more innocent age. Nimrods does just that.

Tommy (Mason Thames) and his two friends Fred (Kylr Coffman) and Chad (Ryan Foust) may not exactly fit in at their school, but they hope to transcend that through their music. After all, together they are collectively known as Analog Dogs, a punk band they formed. They just need to somehow find their big break. When Green Day comes to town for a local meet and greet the day before their concert, Tommy and his friends manage to give the band their demo tape.

Tommy’s brother takes advantage of Green Day’s arrival. And he pranks his little brother into believing Green Day wants Analog Dogs to open for them during their big New Years Eve concert. The only problem is the concert is across the country in Los Angeles. Not letting that stop them, Tommy and his band pack up in a stolen vehicle and try to get to LA in time for their first big gig.

Nimrods doesn’t really offer anything unique. There is a little drama, a little comedy, and a fair bit of hijinks. Exactly what you would expect in a road trip film. However, that doesn’t stop the film from having heart. The characters find a way to burrow their way into your hearts, and you want to see them succeed. The trio of Thames, Coffman, and Foust do a great job of holding their own, but they do have help from a range of more household names such as Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Fred Armisen, Sean Gunn and an absolutely hilarious Bobby Lee. And of course they are helped out tremendously by the band Green Day.

If you are a fan of Green Day, you are probably really going to enjoy the movie. After all, many of their greatest hits score the film from start to finish. They even helped write the film, inspired partly by a band called Waterdogs that opened for them before hitting it big. Even if you are not a fan of them however, this film does a great job of telling the story of three kids looking to make their way in the world. It will make you smile and laugh at times, while making you remembering your own youth.