Sex, sex and more sex. Whilst being a convenient, attention grabbing way to open a review, sex is (according to the American Pie franchise) what is always on boys’ minds.
So, with a fully matured cast and fresh writers-cum-directors (insert American Pie innuendo here), does American Pie: Reunion live up to the boisterous glory of the first film? Or is it another dubious spin off destined for the growing pile of straight-to-dvd films the series has accumulated thus far?
Now that the boys have fully grown up, apart from the occasional bad habit, it seems like sexual preoccupation has become a thing of the past. After getting married, Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) have fully settled down with jobs and a two year old son. Oz (Chris Klein)is a successful sports TV presenter, Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is an architect and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) resurfaces as a mysterious and well-travelled bohemian.
That leaves only the infamous Stifler (Seann William Scott) still clinging on to the old high school days. When everyone returns home, Stifler is desperate to make the reunion one to remember.
The result is predictable. The plot takes a conventional route, playing it safe and not treating the audience to many twists and turns. The nods to previous films and the inclusion of some more minor characters in the series is nice, but sometimes it felt as if the writer wanted to include as many characters as possible but wasn’t sure what to do with them.
The result is occasionally characters will appear and disappear with subplots which are never fully explored. “It’s about the humour” I hear indignant American Pie fans screaming. Well fear not, because the humour is like every other American Pie film that has gone before it.
When talking about a movie which unashamedly revels in its own immaturity, it feels a little strange to use the word ‘conservative’. But,ironically, ‘conservative’ is the best word to sum up Reunion. The film doesn’t depart from the series’ tried and tested gags as it attempts to pay homage to a series which has brought raucous laughter to teenagers and (secretly) Dads everywhere.
Unfortunately though, it doesn’t quite live up to the previous installations. If you’re looking for anything new or any improvement on any of the previous movies, you’ll be disappointed with this film. If, however, you are looking for a good old fashioned bit of crude humour then this one is definitely for you.