I found the new movie to be both depressing and entertaining.
American Pie was released at the turn of the century, at a time when the Internet was just becoming a household necessity. It also took the teen sex comedy to another level after its 1980's counterparts (Porky's, Fast Times At Ridgemont High come to mind) had popularized the genre many years earlier. The collection of largely unknown young actors and actresses that starred in the first three films have returned for this latest offering, which has been mostly panned by critics. Although I admit that the film is weak in some spots, it is also a great tribute to the series as well as serving as a nice continuation of it.
The old gang from East Great Falls, MI reunite for their 13 year high school reunion and find that their early 30's has wrought a mixed bag of problems. Jim and Michelle (played by Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) are still married and are now mired in a sexless marriage since becoming parents. For Oz (Chris Klein), the jock turned celebrity sportscaster, his wild and hedonistic girlfriend just doesn't hold his heart the way that his high school flame Heather (Mena Suvari) used to. This is made evident as soon as the two reunite during the reunion weekend and discover that they still have deep feelings for one another.
Paul Finch and Kevin Myers are both leading nondescript lives and the ever annoying Steve Stifler (Seann William Scott), now employed as a temp, continues his constant quest for sex with practically anyone that will have him. Adding to the fun, at least for me, are cameos from Natasha Lyonne, Tara Reid and Shannon Elizabeth, who reprises her role as Nadia, the masturbating foreign exchange student from the first two films. Of course, the film would be incomplete without a John Cho appearance. Cho, you may remember, was the young man who popularized the term M.I.L.F. in American Pie.
This film follows closely on the template of the first three films and showcases once again the scene-stealing talents of Eugene Levy, who portrays Jim's father. Now a widower, he surprisingly "hooks up" with Stifler's erstwhile cougar of a mom (played again by Jennifer Coolidge). The comedy hi-jinks are still very prevalent throughout the narrative and the sexual shock value established with the famous "sex with a pie" scene is alive and well as Biggs' character unwittingly displays his actual genitals.
I have no problem with the fact that American Reunion so blatantly references the first film early and often. But its constant dialogue about current American culture and popular gadgets became distracting. Mentions of the Twilight film series as well as Facebook, iPhones, Justin Bieber and YouTube made me feel like saying, "'Ok guys, we get it. Those things didn't exist in 1999 (and Bieber was 5) and now they rule the world.'"
Through all of the comedy, sex and gross out scenarios, the American Pie series has always had a very strong emotional core. American Reunion is no different. It shows heart and has a sweet integrity, and it at least tries to give viewers a reason to care for or root for the characters. On the one hand, we want Jim to have sex with his just-turned-18 and nubile as ever neighbor who keeps throwing herself at him. On the other hand, we are so relieved that he refuses to cheat on his wife Michelle, in spite of their sexual drought. That love and class, in my opinion, makes this film special and a worthy addition to the series.
The depressing part of the film is the reality of how our life changes once the teens and early 20s are over. Being an adult is hard, especially when a person is still emotionally immature. Here, the characters have grown older, but not all of them have exactly grown up. And since life can be so fleeting, I don't mind one bit that these thirtysomethings still have that youthful tenancy to them.
Growing up isn't necessarily a good thing.
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