American Reunion - Review

The first theatrical release of the American Pie series in almost 10 years, American Reunion is a more-than-welcome return to form for the franchise. Not only would it serve as a seriously perfect ending if this is really the last movie, but you get to see so many memorable characters back on screen again. It’s like taking a 90’s trip down memory lane, and I totally dug it.

Last time we left these characters, Jim was getting married to Michelle, a totally perfect union if there ever was one. Oz and Heather were nowhere to be seen (scheduling conflicts? Don’t make the movie if every actor can’t participate!)Stifler (kinda) dialed down his antics in favor of pursuing Michelle’s hot sister, Cadence. Finch still yearned for Stifler’s mom, and Kevin seemed kind of lost in the mix.

Flash forward to 2012, and everyone’s all grown up. Like, really grown up. They have these pesky things called jobs and everyone but Stifler and Finch seem to be having luck in the relationship department. Jim even has a little baby now! The messages go out on Facebook, and before long all the old faces are flooding back to East Great Falls.

The concept for this newest Pie installment is admittedly pretty genius, and Harold & Kumar writing/directing team Hurwitz & Schlossberg do an astoundingly good job with characters and groundwork established by creator Adam Herz. This time around, Herz, who previously wrote all three original American Pie films, produced and supervised the script. The biggest problem I personally had with American Wedding was that the characters didn’t really feel like themselves in some scenes, and it was mostly ‘The Stifler Show,’ whereas the original two films are mostly cast-ensemble-driven. American Reunion returns to the feel of the first two movies, and has more throwbacks than you could even count on two hands. Many of the trademark jokes return, including Jim’s penis antics, Jim’s dad having unreasonably atrocious timing, etc. Somehow, thirteen years after the first American Pie, the whole cast is able to recapture the magic that made the original so perfect in the first place.

Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. I cannot express how much chemistry this cast has together and how comfortable they seem. I really believed Jim and Michelle’s relationship, and the love between all the boys. Even Heather and Oz still have that sparkling believability about them.

Jason Biggs is simply terrific in the role he was born to play. Seeing Jim’s on-screen transition from adorably awkward pre-ejaculating teen to awkward and sexually frustrated man is quite a sight, and Biggs has all the charisma and charm to carry most of this film squarely on his shoulders. Alyson Hannigan as his wife Michelle is just as kooky as always, and their relationship is one of the cutest aspects of Reunion.

The other guys are also simply spot-on, especially Chris Klein, who really stands out in this installment. It’s a shame they couldn’t bring him in for Wedding. Stifler is definitely back in full form as Seann William Scott brings his A-game. I think he actually is much more relatable in this movie because you can really feel for his situation. Eddie Kaye Thomas as Finch is awesome as always in an increasingly metrosexual way. Thank the lord that Thomas Ian Nicholas as Kevin is given much more material here than in Wedding. His unsure and frightened nature when he thinks he’s slept with Vicky (Tara Reid) is just adorable.

There are also plenty of cameos and big appearances by many of the cast we have followed since 1999, including a nicely expanded role from Eugene Levy as Jim’s Dad. I also really loved the soundtrack and non-stop barrage of 90’s throwbacks. Plenty of Third Eye Blind, some “Closing Time,” and even some Spice Girls (the line about “Wannabe” being classic rock made me laugh so hard.) The mix of old and new couldn’t possibly have been any more awesome, and kind of works as a sort of reflection on the characters themselves, who are hard at battle with old versus new.

American Reunion without a doubt has the most heart of the entire series. I loved the overarching theme that friendship trumps all and despite all of life’s tribulations, your friends are always there for you, no matter what. Although you grow up and get older, you can still have a good time at any age.

Without spoiling anything, I will say that the ending of this movie left me wanting more, but it’s also the most perfect conclusion for the series I could possibly imagine. I’d love to see another American Pie movie, but it’s going to be hard to top the heart and originality displayed here. If this really is the last slice of Pie, I’m really going to miss Jim, Stifler, Michelle, Oz, Finch, Kevin, and all the crazy folks from East Great Falls. It feels like I grew up with them and I don’t want to say goodbye. Rock on, class of ‘99ers!