Judy Thorburn's Movie Reviews
American Reunion | Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Kline, Mina Suvari, Tara Reid | Review
- Details
- Category: Judy Thorburn
- Published on 14 April 2012
- Written by Judy Thorburn
Judy Thorburn
American Reunion
The third big screen followup to 1999's original American Pie brings together the entire original cast with filmmakers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (of Harold and Kumar fame) pushing the envelope with as much disgusting language and behavior that they can get away with. Just when I thought it couldn't get any filthier, this sex comedy takes crude, lewd, rude, raunchy and so forth (fill in the blanks) to another low level.
Rather than a decent story, the focus is on potty mouth dialogue and shocking visuals that had me cringing with embarrassment such as the inclusion of masturbation (at the get go), full frontal male nudity, a character defecating in a cooler filled with beer, and more than a few very graphic jokes about oral sex.
The set up is the class of 1999's 13th reunion that brings the crew of old buddies back to their home town of East Falls Michigan to reconnect and rekindle some fun times from their high school days. You would think by now, the main characters would have grown into mature, responsible adults. Not in this piece of the American Pie. Each still have their own personal issues to deal with.
Jim and Michelle (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) are married and the parents of a two year old, but they can't seem to find time to rock each other's world in the bedroom. Handsome hunk, Oz (Chris Klein) is a TV sports anchorman in LA where he lives with Mia, a ditzy model (30 Rock’s Katrina Bowden) who only wants to party. Most recently, Oz has gained notoriety and a fan base as a contestant on a Dancing with the Stars type reality show called, Celebrity Dance Off, hosted by none other than Neil Patrick Harris in a brief cameo role. Oz's ex, Heather (Mena Suvari) is involved with a surgeon (Jay Harrington), but still carries a torch for her high school flame. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) is a happily married, work at home architect who enjoys watching reality TV shows with his pretty wife. But when his former girlfriend, Vicki (Tara Reid), shows up, he has trouble dealing with old feelings that resurface.
Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) tells everyone he has been traveling all over the world experiencing different cultures, and soon hooks up with Selena (Dania Ramirez) a former ugly duckling from high school turned hot bartender. Then there is wild and crazy Stiffler (Seann William Scott) is still an immature, obnoxious “dick”, obsessed with sex. Not yet settled down with a significant other or in a profession, Stiffler works as a temp in a financial corporation where he has to deal with his mean East Indian born boss (Vik Sahay).
As the story unfolds over a weekend, it bounces back and forth from one subplot to another allowing the characters to indulge in outrageous behavior and situations that are meant to garner laughs.
This time around, Jim finds himself the object of attention of Kara (Ali Cobrin), a voluptuous, pretty 18 year old that he used to baby sit for. For some unknown reason, she targets Jim to be her “first”, and her attempt to seduce him in his car leads to a compromising situation followed by a totally ridiculous sequence in which he tries to sneak her bare breasted, drunk body into her bedroom while her parents are home.
Returning as parents are comedy veterans Jennifer Coolidge as Stiffler's horny mom and Eugene Levy as Jim's now widowed father who offer a glimpse into the problems of middle age dating. They are so much better than the material they are given. Rebecca De Mornay, looking fabulous, shows up the end, but I won't indulge what character she plays as I don't want to ruin the surprise for those who are adamant about seeing this film.
I don't think they left anyone out from the original cast. Yup, the gang's all there including brief cameo appearances by Natasha Leone, John Cho, and Shannon Elizabeth.
Other than a chance to revisit the same characters from American Pie as well as giving the actors much needed work and a paycheck, their isn't anything worthwhile for audiences to dish out their hard earned bucks.
Enough is enough, already. The American Pie franchise has been overplayed to the hilt and is tired and worn out. I am hoping this installment is the last, so I can bid bye bye to American Pie.
The film is rated R for profanity, sexual situations and nudity. As far as I am concerned, in this case, the R stands for repulsive.