In 1999, the world got a taste of American Pie. Jason Biggs will forever be stamped in our minds not only as the younger version of Adam Sandler but as the horny boy who had sex with an apple pie and became an Internet sensation.
American Pie creator Adam Herz contributed to pop culture and cinema a brand of mainstream teen comedy that crushed the barriers of censorship, modesty, and subtlety-- he nosedived into a shameless sex comedy in all its teenage awkwardness. He laid it out point-blank to your face: American Pie is a sexy, hormonally charged gross fun, meant to turn your eyes away awkwardly, make your jaw drop and make you feel uncomfortable, while keeping a steady stream of humor, inducing the occasional riotous outburst.
I was a teenager myself in 1999 when American Pie landed on my face in all its gross and sticky, humorous situations. It may not be the best comedy ever but its success is that it's unforgettable. The cast will eternally be associated with the movie: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alyson Hannigan and her "one time, at band camp..." line, Natasha Lyonne, Eugene Levy, Eddie Kaye Thomas-- and Sean William Scott will forever be Stifler in our minds and Jennifer Coolidge as Stifler's mom.
Thirteen years later, and after two sequels and a series of direct-to-video spin-offs, comes the fourth theatrical release: American Pie: Reunion. Married couple Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Flannigan) are already with a son, and the rest have their own adult lives-- except for Stifler, who hasn't moved on from high school. The men take a trip back to their hometown in Michigan for their thirteenth high school reunion and, of course, find themselves once again in sticky situations in all its R-18 dirty and sexual humor.
Directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold & Kumar) and also penned by them along with Herz, American Pie: Reunion feels like catching up with old friends, completing that nostalgic feeling with 1990's music. The movie is a stroll down memory lane, yet keeping the American Pie humor intact. The movie brings fresh, sexy, and gross humor, while reviving some favorite lines and moments from the first movie-- some bordering a bit on corny comeback, but most are thankfully not forced. The tricky part for any sequel of a big movie is how you will reintroduce the beloved characters, and Reunion has managed to squeeze them into the picture in unpredictable moments so that you will delight in their appearance.
The movie is fast-paced, only with a light conflict and storyline since its goal, anyway, is to make the main guys shine: Jim, Kevin, Oz, Finch, and Stifler (Sean William Scott is effectively hilarious and offensive) and bring forth its trademark of juvenile and sexual humor. The movie house was never quiet during the entire screening-- we were all skipping between chuckles and hysterical laughter, cries of pure disgust and laughter, and sentimental aawwsss.
American Pie: Reunion, produced by Jason Biggs and Sean William Scott, has managed to resuscitate what has made the original American Pie an unforgettably disgusting and generally funny experience, incorporating twists that will delight those who've seen the original American Pie. A reunion indeed.
You might want to grab a slice of nostalgic comedy while its still warm in selected cinemas beginning May 2, 2012.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Rated R-18 for crude and sexual content, nudity and language.
Rated R-18 for crude and sexual content, nudity and language.
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