It’s been almost a decade since the American Pie franchise first came out, and its fourth, main series film American Reunion, is just like all the rest. The original cast, which started off 13 years ago with five sex-obsessed teenagers and one well-known tasty pastry, has returned to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one weekend these five friends discover what has changed and how time and distance is never strong enough to break the bonds of true friendship.
In the years that have passed since we last saw this raunchy bunch, Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) got married, are raising a toddler and are too exhausted to get even a little intimate under the covers. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is the house husband of the group, while Oz (Chris Klein) is a sportscaster in L.A. with a wild youngster of a girlfriend. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is a daredevil explorer with a secret and Stifler (Seann William Scott) remains an annoying jerk, who is stuck in his high school days. So, they haven’t changed a bit.
The film consisted of pranks and jokes like stealing jet skis and defecating in beer coolers, cheating on current girlfriends with previous ones and lying to their best buds. But honestly, what more did you expect from an American Pie film?
There was a bittersweet feeling about seeing these actors, who have mostly vanished from the big screen since the last American Pie, come back to play their youthful roles again. The only one who seemed to be able to get right back into the swing of things was Biggs. That could be because he still has the same baby face he had 13 years ago, making it easy to believe that his 18-year-old neighbor would strip down to her skivvies trying seduce him. As expected, Scott, as the sex-crazed party animal, brought some laughs, but he became too annoying and got under your skin, making you hope someone would shut him up.
It was Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge, who play Jim’s widowed dad and Stifler’s mom that walked away with the most laughs. The scenes between Levy and Biggs show the movie’s heartfelt side, with an added twist. Levy’s nervous ramblings become too awkward, even for the audience, as he shares uncomfortable information with his son. Levy and Coolidge have awesome chemistry and their scenes together give the audience a fresh new look on how parents can be just as cool as their kids.
But don’t leave the second the credits start rolling and the lights come back on. While everyone is making their way to the door, sit back in your seat and wait, because afterward you will be wiping the tears from your eyes as you make your way out of the theatre.
Even though the laughter doesn’t always hold up, the adults in American Reunion reliving their high school days still make it worth it to take a slice.
Nicole Kohn
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