Comedic film series plays off tired jokes in latest on-screen effort
While watching “American Reunion,” it becomes very apparent that all of the “American Pie” movies follow the same, overdone recipe: two drawn-out party scenes, a couple of touching moments and a dash of gross humor.
That “slice of pie” that originally reinvented R-rated teen comedies seems to have lost its taste over the years as the fourth installment of the franchise relies on the same comedic style that was so shocking before the turn of the century, but it leaves a familiar taste in the mouth, which can be good and bad.
As a reunion movie, many of the typical plot points can be expected: high school sweethearts who rediscover their old feelings, one guy with marriage troubles, another who is unhappy with his career choices and yet another stuck in the past. And similar to a real-life reunion, the years have not been kind, jokes are strained and it’s almost a relief when it’s over.
The movie brings almost every original cast member back for their 13-year high school reunion. Jim and Michelle (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) are at the center of attention, both of whom are worried about the absence of their love life now that they are parents.
Oz (Chris Klein) has become a TV-sports personality with a superficial model girlfriend, Mia (Katrina Bowden), but he still carries a torch for his high school sweetheart, Heather (Mena Suvari).
Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is a happily married house-husband who catches up with his old flame Vicky (Tara Reid). Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) tells stories of his adventures from traveling the world and hooks up with ugly duckling-turned-swan Selena (Dania Ramirez). And finally, there’s Stifler (Seann William Scott) who still has the immaturity of a 12-year-old while working as a temp at an investment firm.
However, none of the problems that these characters encounter are nearly as interesting as what is going on with the parents. Eugene Levy steals every scene he’s in as Jim’s nerdy father who displays some tender emotion as a grieving husband. In fact, the greatest moments in the entire movie come from Jim’s talks with his dad — that quickly turn into awkward conversations — and the final parting of Jim’s dad and Stifler’s mom.
As an “American Pie” film, “American Reunion” has its share of nudity, but it mostly comes from 18-year-old Kara (Ali Cobrin) who Jim used to babysit. Kara is determined to lose her virginity and wants to give it up to Jim.
The comedy in the movie works as both a positive and a negative. The negative comes with the movie’s overuse of “are-they-really-going-to-do-that” comic moments that overshadow any sign of an interesting plot. Directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg treat this installment much like they did with the “Harold and Kumar” franchise, favoring more intense, gross-out moments over character interaction.
However, the positive side is how the comedy does offer a sense of nostalgia. “American Reunion” does remind us all of what we loved about “American Pie,” specifically how the original offered sweetness with its raunchiness to provide a building interest in the characters. “American Reunion” doesn’t provide such sweetness at the same level, but rather just enough to prevent this installment from being tedious.
But still, you can only tell the same joke so often. Jim is probably best known for the countless times he has been caught pleasuring himself. But watching him slam his laptop on himself as his kid walks in the room comes off as plain creepy.
“American Reunion” is basically a piece of nostalgia for audiences who want to revisit some of their favorite “American Pie” characters. The promotional poster shows Jim holding only one slice of pie, hopefully hinting that this will be the last piece.