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Movie Review: American Reunion

Betsy Cizek

The American Pie series is an American classic and the new American Reunion completely satisfies the palate as far as measuring up to its predecessors. When evaluating any sequel you have to ask yourself, how does it compare? Is it as funny, as raunchy, as shocking? Without doubt, and have no fear, American Reunion serves up the pie! The uncanny ability of writer and directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (known for their work in the Harold and Kumar series) to take a funny scene and continue to build laugh upon laugh will leave your sides splitting.

The cast is back for their 13-year-reunion, now in their 30s, life is different. Our beloved Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) and Michelle Levenstein (Alyson Hannigan) are still together, with a two-year-old son. Experiencing what many new parents do, the ever popular lost sexual intimacy. In an early scene both Michelle and Jim try to get their sexual needs fulfilled (individually if you will), and are both caught in the act. The tone is set, what makes this so funny is the realatability to everyday life, only amplified.

Everyone starts gathering in East Great Falls. There is Oz (Chris Klein) the former lacrosse star now a successful sportscaster that has appeared on a fictitious celebrity dance show equivalent to Dancing with the Stars. The competition will offer a surprise guest, the director’s favorite, Neil Patrick Harris as the show’s commentator. Klein did his homework for his dancing number; he had some surprisingly great moves with just the right twist of silly. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) shows up, a work at home architect, now married and the stereotypical, house husband, feeling a little nostalgic about his past love Vicky (Tara Reid).

Steve Stiffler (Seann William Scott) is the same obnoxious guy we remember from years past. The Stiffmiester, is still looking for the party, longing for the glory days of high school. To his demise, his mother has forced him to take a temp position where his boss is the nerd with all the power. If you loved Stiff in the past, you will love him even more now! He has some soon to be new classic lines in this film. In one scene he wears a shirt that Stiffler wanna-be’s will soon be sporting, stating simply…Orgasm Donor!

Everyone starts to wonder where Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is when all of a sudden he pulls up in dramatic Finch fashion on a motorcycle, talking all about his wild adventures since they last were together. Everyone always wondered what would become of Paul Finch, his living an exotic life of travel and communing with natives seems apropos, but is this all it’s cracked up to be?

Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eddie Kaye Thomas in “American Reunion.” © 2012 – Universal Pictures.

Many fan favorites pop up in this comedy. An honorable mention goes to Eugene Levy as Jim’s dad. Mr. Levenstein has to learn how to step out in the world again after the passing of his wife. The brilliance of his perfect timing and dry sense in conveying emotion will leave you wiping the tears from your eyes.

Stiffler’s mom is back (Jennifer Coolidge), absolutely as you remember her, with a bigger comedic role that won’t soon be forgotten. Also returning, more beautiful than ever, are Heather (Mena Suvari) and Vicky (Tara Reid). No American Pie reunion would be complete without the MILF Guys and the Shermanator, who make the cast complete.

I’m sure for many like myself, I would never think it possible to top the ever so famous “Pie” scene. Wrong, there is another scene with Jim in the kitchen that I would dare say even tops that! Jim lets it all hang out in this comedy; you might even say that he could not have shown more of himself.

You will not be disappointed. For all fans, this is a must see! If you are unfamiliar with the American Pie franchise, you will only appreciate American Reunion if you have a certain penchant for vulgar, crude, and at times really gross kind of hilarity. Beware very strong sexual content, nudity, and language. Awesome surprise near the end, that could be best described as Stiffler’s revenge!

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Betsy Cizek

Betsy resides in Michigan. She is presently writing a novel and pursuing a Freelance writing career. It’s important to her that her writing combines sensitivity, honesty and a hint of sarcasm to create a relatable experience with the reader. Having a passion for film and an all around American pie opinion, she aspires to have the sensibility for what the average Joe might enjoy.
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