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American Pie: Reunion Review

May 12, 2012

The boys are back. Thirteen years after they first popped their cherries back in 1999, they're back to doing what they're good at (getting drunk, naked and stupid) in American Pie: Reunion. Is it as good as the first slice, or is this piece of pie just a little bit stale?

Over ten years since the franchise first graced our screens, American Pie: Reunion (or American Reunion to most) sees the return of all the original characters thirteen years after their high school graduation. I recently revisited the series (the ones that were out at the cinema, at least) to prepare myself for the return of Stifler (Seann William Scott), Jim (Jason Biggs) and, of course, Stifler’s mum (Jennifer Coolidge) in some of their most renowned roles. Actually, for a few of the more forgettable characters (sorry Kevin), their appearance in the American Pie films are their most successful roles to date. As the series got increasingly crude, and with it the jokes less funny and the girls more plastic; I pretty much knew what to expect in this, hopefully, final film from writer Adam Herz

Thirteen years after one of the most iconic group of teenage girls and boys lost their virginity, the friends return to East Great Halls for their high school reunion. American Pie: Reunion is the fourth in the cinematic series, seeing the return of Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Heather (Mena Suvari) and even Oz (Chris Klein) who somehow managed to get out of attending American Wedding. Over the years that have passed relationships have drifted apart, certain careers have blossomed and children have been brought into the world: Jim and Michelle have a baby, Kevin is a house husband and Oz is a TV sports personality. Are the boys just as close as they used to be, and will old flames ignite lost feelings? If nothing else, at least Jim’s dad’s eyebrows are certain to be entertaining at the least.

Fans of the former American Pie films will no doubt enjoy this latest portion as American Pie: Reunion contains everything that has made the other movies so popular: nudity, toilet humour and complete stupidity. This formula that worked so well the first, and even second time around, is tiresome and just embarrassing. Even though there are some sweet moments, mainly the scenes involving Eugene Levy (Jim’s dad), they are quickly undermined by the most of the actors wooden acting; Tara Reid and Suvari especially.

The same jokes, the same stereotypes and indeed the same soundtrack, American Pie Reunion succeeds in delivering some serious nineties nostalgia; but that’s all. Hopefully this will be the last of the adventures of Jim and company, as not only is the rehashed story now stale; the cast have also proved that they’re no more impressive than they were back in the original trilogy. Although it was nice to check in with the characters to see where they are in life, I’d prefer to reminisce at how good the first American Pie film is and not be reminded at how desperate the producers seem to be to make money.