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There is much inspiration in this witty, off-kilter young-adult comedy -- from the bright, primary colors of the sets to the relentlessly clever, non-stop dialogue, to the basic philosophy that drives the "dish dogs" from one watery sink to the next. Similar in intent to contemporaries Road Trip and American Pie (with which it shares the actress Shannon Elizabeth), Dish Dogs is the best of the three films because it is smart. There are not a lot of youth comedies in theaters or on cable these days that boast a plot that climaxes with an internalized philosophic epiphany instead of an externalized vulgar action, and for that, Dish Dogs gets major credit. Sean Astin is a wonder in the lead role, and Lillard, who nearly stole Scream, continues to be an eminently watchable young actor. Bright and zany without unnecessary raunch, Dish Dogs eventually runs out of energy, as director Robert Kubilos takes a little too much time trying to wrap up the loose ends. But until then it bubbles over with brainy fun.