Release Date: April 6, 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Directors: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Film Pulse Score: 6/10
When I heard they were making a fourth American Pie, my instant reaction was “Dear god, why does Hollywood have to keep revisiting characters and sacrificing originality with older ideas?” Ok, maybe those weren’t my exact words and I just wrote that here in my review, but it was pretty damn close. American Reunion’s trailer didn’t make me too excited, I just thought most of the cast hadn’t had the career that they wanted and figured they could use the extra cash. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised (not surprised enough to grant it higher than a 6) at what was presented on screen.
American Reunion starts off re-introducing us to characters that we haven’t seen in 9 years and what their lives have turned into. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are married and have a toddler, Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is basically a housewife, Oz (Chris Klein) is a successful sports host with girlfriend problems, Stifler (Seann William Scott) is still a douche but in an office, and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), well, Finch is a supposed badass mofo which didn’t surprise me at all.
After the introductions and catch-ups the movie proceeds to the Reunion part of the title and everyone is brought back to their hometown to meet and greet and see who’s up to what. There are some funny moments but it feels like a movie designed for the audiences who grew up with the American family. The plot didn’t really matter, the problems didn’t really matter, it was all just an enjoyable experience to see these actors and characters on the big screen portraying roles that jump started them back in the day.
I was most surprised (I’m not sure why) that the jokes and gags that were brought to the table were of the same caliber as the first three American movies. It seems that the actors playing the parts had grown up but the writers who were in charge of the script had not. It felt like the crew had been the victim of real life arrested development (not the same as the show) and forgotten to grow up with their counterparts.
While sitting in the theater, I realized that some movies are supposed to be fun and not require you to be an active moviegoer, but rather, sit back and enjoy the images that are whizzing by on the big screen. American Reunion is definitely one of those flicks that doesn’t ask for too much of your attention and does not leave you asking for more because it is just the right amount of pie you’re looking for.
