EDUCATION HAS DUBIOUS REWARDS IN MISGUIDED `TRIPPIN' '.

Byline: Lawrence Van Gelder The New York Times

Wrapped like candy in a sure-fire come-on of bouncing bosoms and firm young female bodies, ``Trippin','' which opened Wednesday, is a sermon aimed primarily at teen-age black male high school students.

The message: Get real. Get a diploma. Try to go to college.

And the payoff for this effort?

Why, you get to have all the sex you want with the prom queen.

``Trippin' '' is a juvenile comedy with its heart in the right place and its airy head incapable of applying logic to its script.

Directed by David Raynr and written by Gary Hardwick, ``Trippin' '' tells the story of Greg Reed (Deon Richmond), a high school senior who gives the film its title by spending most of his time daydreaming, particularly about sex.

For those who focus unwaveringly on this latter-day clone of Walter Mitty, the point of ``Trippin' '' is clear. Education is essential to success. But ``Trippin','' pandering to audience and auditors, lacks the courage to pursue its logic to the bleak underside of its sermon. So Greg's two worthless best friends, who never crack a book, are rewarded, too.

At the outset of the film, Greg's family, which includes his hard-working father, mother, younger brother and grandfather, are concerned that he shows little inclination to buckle down to his studies and face life.

But Greg, who loafs his way through an after-school job in a local rib joint, is more concerned with the impending senior prom and the seemingly unattainable Cinny Hawkins (Maia Campbell), who just happens to be the most intelligent, most beautiful girl in the school - and, what's more, already has a boyfriend.

One of Greg's best friends is June (Donald Adeosun Faison), who spends part of his time inviting girls to the prom so he can bed them first. He spends the other part so successfully in petty crime that he is being scouted for the big-time by Kenyatta (Stoney Jackson), a limo-riding alumnus of the high school and prison.

The other pal is Fish (Guy Torry), who seems interested in nothing besides his VCR and setting speed records for talk.

It is only when Greg decides that the route to Cinny's body runs through textbooks that he begins to apply himself to his studies and the possibility of higher education.

The atmosphere is generally sunny, even when June's flirtation with Kenyatta turns violent. The cast, including Michael Warren as Shapic, a teacher who tries to talk sense to his students, is appealing. But the message is mixed.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Trippin' '' (R; coarse language, sexual fantasies and foreplay, and various types of violence).

The stars: Deon Richmond, Donald Adeosun Faison, Maia Campbell, Guy Torry, Aloma Wright, Harold Sylvester, Stoney Jackson and Michael Warren.

Behind the scenes: Directed by David Raynr. Written by Gary Hardwick. produced by Marc Abraham and Caitlin Scanlon. Released by Rogue Pictures.

Running time: One hour, 40 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two stars.