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I grew up with the American Pie movies. Even though I didn't get half the jokes back then when I was kid watching this crude gold, I still laughed. As soon as I hit my teen years, I finally understood the jokes and loved these films more and more. So, bottom line, I'm an American Pie fanboy - that is, only first three. Yes, like many, I never bothered watching the direct-to-DVD sequels. I never want to watch them. When I saw the trailer for American Reunion, I shit my pants. I was so excited. It's been 9 years since the last true sequel, American Wedding, and Reunion would finally bring the old gang together for the last time. Surprisingly enough, this actually felt like an actual conclusion to the franchise, and not a way to respark it and make more sequels. Like the tagline states it, Save the Best Piece for Last, the filmmakers are actually pushing this to be last American Pie movie, but I can't say it's the best entry in the series.
Over a decade has passed and the old gang - Jim (Jason Biggs), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and of course Stifler (Seann William Scott) - return to East Great Falls, Michigan, for their high school reunion. Their plan is to relive their high school years during the course of the weekend, as they get drunk and party hard. Jim, however, is having sex issues with his wife Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), Kevin meets again with his first love Vicky (Tara Reid), and the same thing applies with Oz, who still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Heather (Mena Suvari). Finch has moved on from Stifler's mom (Jennifer Coolidge), and finds a spark with a former classmate, Selena (Dania Ramirez). Stifler, meanwhile, is up to his old tricks as usual.
Directed and scripted by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (the creators of Harold and Kumar), American Reunion plays the humour more on nostalgia rather raunch. This definitely added a sweet side to the film. As most fans will have missed the old gang, it's nice to see all the references to the first three films. Since I'm a fan of American Pie, I got all the nostalgic jokes and references, and I think audiences who have seen the previous films will actually get more out of this. To be honest, I think any newcomers to the franchise will be lost, as Hurwitz and Schlossberg really push for a nostalgic angle. However, the film still reaches for the gross out side of things, but I still think American Pie 2 really delivered on this kind of comedy. Still, Reunion has enough poo and nudity to satisfy American Pie fans. A certain sub-plot involving Jim and a girl he used to babysit (who is now a teenager and thoroughly attractive) is sure to crack audiences up, and allows for some terrific 'awkward moments' we remember from past films.
On the emotional side of things, the film has its ups and downs. With Stifler, it does work. He's still trying to live in the past during his teen years and doesn't realise he's an adult now. It works well as fans have loved this character from the first film, and there actually is some development for him. However, Kevin, Finch, and Oz have far less successful storylines. The dramatic side for their characters just don't work in this. When the film tries to play on the drama, it doesn't hold you for long. That being said, the marriage issues for Jim and Michelle worked for me. These are two characters we know and love, and as fans, we want their relationship to work out. Another issue I had with the scripting department were the cameos - some of characters from the past films (Sherman, Nadia, etc.) make very brief appearances, and I would've liked to see more of them. However, the reunion of the MILF guys (John Cho and Justin Isfeld) is definitely one of the high lights of the film.
It's great to see the old cast back together. Since this wasn't possible in American Wedding, it definitely adds a lot to this sequel. Jason Biggs still brings that naturalistic and goofy performance of Jim that he did so well in the previous films - he owns the role. Also, I couldn't get enough of Alyson Hannigan. She's so beautiful and plays her nympho character just as well as she did back in the old days. Biggs and Hannigan's chemistry is still intact, and they work together perfectly. As for the rest of the main cast, everyone gives solid performances and bring the laughs like they're meant to. Seann William Scott is still bringing that insanity and horny characteristic to Stifler - he's amazing in the role, and always will be. I also thought Dania Ramirez was a welcome addition to the cast. But the actor who stole the show was Eugene Levy as Jim's Dad. He was hilarious, and shares some pretty hysterical moments with Jennifer Coolidge.
To capture that old nostalgic feel of the 90s, the film also has a nice soundtrack with all kinds of hits from that era. There are also tracks that fans will remember from the previous films (Sway by Bic Runga). Hurwitz and Schlossberg keep the pace brisk, and there's always an upbeat vibe and energy to the film. There are many scenes that beautiful timed by the directors, and the character Stifler gives these moments an awkward and urgent tone that makes it reminiscent of certain scenes we've seen the past American Pie. Speaking of reminiscent, I thought the party scenes also had a nostalgic feel to them. Seeing Stifler drunk and partying is definitely a reminder of the old days.
American Reunion definitely makes up for American Wedding, which was definitely a mediocre entry in the series. It's satisfying, and the great thing is it plays on nostalgia, which makes it seem more like a way to conclude the series rather than a way to respark it. The ending doesn't hint at a sequel, but there's a truly hilarious post-credits scene that will generate belly laughs from the audience. While I don't think Reunion is my favourite entry in the franchise (I still like American Pie 2 slightly more), it didn't disappoint me terribly, and if this was a way to finish the franchise, then Hurwitz and Schlossberg have done a fantastic job.
8/10
