Movie Review: 'American Reunion'

Teens nowadays may be all about the Apatow movies (“Knocked Up,” “Superbad”), but back in my day we turned to Jim, Kevin, Oz, Finch and the Stifmeister for our dose of raunch and shocking sexcapades.

It's been nearly ten years since we last caught up with the gang, and that's in part what makes “American Reunion,” the 4th installment in the “American Pie” series, so much fun. Now adults in their early 30’s, everyone returns to East Great Falls for the class of ‘99 high-school reunion. We get a quick little catch-up on where life has taken each of the 5 guys: Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (a rather matronly looking Alyson Hannigan) are married and have a 2-year old son. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is a househusband. Oz (Chris Klein) is a famous sports newscaster. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) has been traveling the world. “Morning co-workers and cocksuckers!’ greets office-worker Stifler (Seann William Scott) – oh yes, the boys are back!

Brimming with nostalgia, “Reunion” was like a private joke the whole theater was in on. A character whips out his iPhone to show a YouTube video of Jim dancing half naked for Nadia in his bedroom. Jim’s dad (Eugene Levy, who is easily the funniest part of the movie) tries to have a father/son heart-to heart sex talk. And how could we forget Jim's infamous sock -- which makes a lovely little cameo during the traditional sex-gone-wrong opening.

The “American Pie” movies all follow a very similar pattern, with their signature type of humor – mainly the out-of-whack gross out/sexual happenings that cause us to be simultaneously cringing and cracking up. There may not be anything new here, but these guys still play off each other so well that it was more than believable that a bunch of full-grown men would get back to their outrageous old antics after all this time. Though at some points the attempt to create a commotion played up unnecessary subplots that the movie may have been better off without. Does anyone really buy a hot 18 year-old aggressively trying to lose her virginity to Jason Biggs?


Undeniably better than “American Wedding,” “American Reunion” hit home for me more than the second and revived my love of the one that started it all. Despite all of the shenanigans going on, the references to the 90’s, rekindling of old feelings with first loves, and the message that it feels like no time has passed when true friends reunite carried “American Reunion” a long and heartfelt way.

And the reminder of the alternative use of a flute wasn’t too bad, either.

Rating: B