American Reunion

My, my, that was certainly a nostalgic film. It took me back to a long time ago when I wasn't even supposed to see R-rated movies but somehow got around to watching American Pie. 


American Reunion is set realistically 13 years after American Pie. The class of 99' all comes back into town (and I do mean everybody) for their 13-year class reunion (didnt know that they had those) and as expected, shenanigans ensue. It's interesting to even have this movie just because of the recent state of the American Pie franchise. It had the first few films which were successful, but progressively got worse, and then it had several straight-to-DVD sequels that were actually pretty funny, but still not very good. Then, if I remember correctly, they came out with American Wedding. And I say "if I remember correctly" because I honestly dont remember the movie, it was that forgettable. And now we have American Reunion which I like to akin to the Fast Five of the teen-comedy genre. The producers said, "We need to bring EVERYBODY back, no matter what." and that is exactly what they did. And just like it worked for Fast Five, it does here too, albeit to a somewhat lesser degree. 

The whole gang is back in town

The funniest character in the films

I think the main reason that the producers were able to bring everyone back (other than money of course) is because the movie just feels right. It still has a ton of inappropriate humor, but somehow feels a lot more mature than its younger cousins. In addition, it is genuinely funny and entertaining almost the whole way through. The scenarios that they cook up this time around are some of the funniest in the series, and while none of them may be as classic as the apple-pie-in-the-kitchen-bit, they still generate a smile on your face. One scene with Jim's dad trying to escape a house party because he is high and the cops are there nearly had me in tears. This leads me to another point that I find really interesting. In a movie series about teen angst and sexual exploits, the funniest person ends up being the father figure. Sure, some may say that Stiffler is the funniest character, but I beg to differ. He is very funny, dont get me wrong, but he gets tired real quick, especially in this film. Actually, now having been in college, he reminds me of a lot of some of the frat-stars that go to DU...kinda sad. But completely accurate observations aside, Jim's dad is hilarious in this movie. Every scene he is in makes me laugh at least a little bit and most scenes he is in make me laugh a hell of a lot.

Stiffler is still as obnoxious as ever. Most of the time it is funny, but I do think
he had too much screen time in this film.

Where the film falters, at least in my opinion, is the story between Jim and Michelle. They are the couple everybody rooted for in the first films and now they seem to have entered into a sexual "rut" after the birth of their first child. For some reason, I could just not get into the story line and I really didnt care what happened. They were already married and you know that just by the nature of these movies that everything will work out in the end. I found myself FAR more interested in Oz and Heather's current relationship (Mena Suvari is looking phenomenal these days), Kevin and Vicky's current relationship, and Finch and Jessica's (newcomer to the movie but fits right in) relationship. Unfortunately since I was interested in the side plots, that means that they dont get much screen time when compared to the whole Jim and Michelle thing.

Not to be mean, but I was surprised how good Tara Reid looked
after all of the plastic surgery problems she went through.

American Reunion may not be the funniest movie of the year, that honor goes far and away to 21 Jump Street. But it is certainly the most nostalgic. It reminds us of a time when cell phones were a luxury and the world was seriously a simpler place. 1999 doesnt seem that long ago, but then again it does. If you stay until the credits, they show pictures of the kids from when they were filming the first movie and I was absolutely floored. They all looked so young. A couple of them looked like they were 14 or something. And now they are all grown up and moving onto bigger and better things, just like the characters in the movie. Funny how real life echoes the movies sometimes. Or is it the other way around?


Pros:

• Super nostalgic. It was somewhat of a trip seeing all these kids back together again reminiscing on the times they had all the way back in 99'
• The 90's soundtrack takes the nostalgia to a whole new level and is very much appreciated. Kinda made me miss those times 
• Some seriously funny scenarios throughout that are just what you would come to expect from an American Pie movie
• Jim's dad is f***ing hilarious. The party where he gets drunk and high was priceless
• I enjoyed seeing many of the old relationships come alive again, and the movie does a good job of portraying and ending them realistically
• A lot of really well done cameos from old favorite classmates

Cons:

• Jim and Michelle's story line is not very interesting, yet it is what runs the whole movie
• Stiffler is hilarious (particularly facial expressions), but gets old. I may be the only one that thinks this, but I think he had too much screen time
• The ending leaves the door open for another movie in the series. The producers need to learn that just because you are making money on these movies doesnt mean you should keep making them. End the series on a high note and let American Reunion be the last one

Rath's Review Score: 8/10