Film Fanatic. Film Critic. Video Store Clerk.
Media and Communications Student currently completing an honours year.
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For those of you wondering why the hell another American Pie is being made, you're not the only one. But if you look at the American Pie cast, it's pretty obvious why we're been treated to another slice of pie. After the release of the third film (American Pie the Wedding), most of the group have disappeared off popular culture's radar. Thanks to How I Met Your Mother, Alyson Hannigan is the only one who still has a decent star following. Seann William Scott isn't doing too badly either, but the rest of the group haven't done much worth mentioning. A fourth film in the original franchise (we are steering away from the other four 'American Pie Presents:' direct to DVD sequels) now seems logical; let's get everyone back in the spotlight. So after 13 years since the first film; the real question is why wouldn't they do another film?
The sex crazed teens that we knew and loved back in 1999 are back for their 13th High school Reunion. As adults, they're still pretty much the same. Jim's still awkward, Michelle's still horny and Stifler is still, well, Stifler. That's half the beauty of the film; it doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not. Those of us that are nostalgic of the 90s (or what was left of them) get a chance to see how these characters have developed (or not developed) since we've last seen them. It has a somewhat resemblance to Adam Sandler's Grown Ups, where over the course of a weekend, the group bonds and - cue inspirational music - discover what friendship truly means.
In similar fashion to the previous films, American Pie reunion thrives on awkward scenarios, particularly involving Jim (Jason Biggs), who despite being a father is still just as hopeless as he was when he was a teen. It begs the question; how much public humiliation can one man take? In this film, it doesn't even look like he's that fazed after getting caught wearing an S&M costume at Stifler's party.
If it's a reunion you want, it's a reunion you'll get; with the film packed with all your favourite characters from the first film; Heather, Oz, Kevin, Vicky, Finch, Stifler, Nadia, Jessica, Sherman, Stifler's mum and Jim's dad. Unfortunately this 'packing' means that some characters are definitely underused. Surprisingly that comes in the form of Alyson Hannigan, who isn't seen as much as she should have. Particular attention is given to Oz and Heather (Chris Klein and Mena Suvari), who we haven't seen since American Pie 2.
It wouldn't be an American Pie film without Stifler, who appears to be the only one who hasn't changed. Like always, remains a highlight in the film. He also tops his record with possibly the funniest party he's ever thrown. There's also a little mix up in regards to the love triangle that is Stifler, Finch and Stifler's mum. The only rival to Stifler is Jim's dad, whose scenes with Stifler's mum prove quite hilarious.
There's still some heart to the series and amongst the crowd of sex-filled teen comedies, it reminds us what started it all and more importantly, why we care about these characters. Maybe it was just me, but I got the sense that this might not be the last we see of the East Great Falls class of 99'. Particular if the actors' careers are still going nowhere. For those who were fans of the series will be glad they took the 'last piece of pie'.
