American Pie: Reunion

Include the straight to DVD sequels and this film is number eight in the series, do the smart thing and ignore them like most people and we’re on the fourth. Risky move to revisit a franchise that we thought had a clear cut ending back in 2003 but when you’ve somehow managed to twist the arm of every vital cast member and can reunite the gang one last time, well why the hell not?

Don’t expect anything drastically new from this slice of nostalgia, it’s almost a shame that they didn’t manage to get the cast together sooner for this one, as some of the ‘we’re so cool’ references are a little too behind the times and this film, much like Jim in the first films can certainly be accused of trying too hard to impress. There are gags aplenty, mainly recycled ones and most of the time you’re sitting there thinking this would have been fine as a TV special, did it warrant a big screen cinema release?

It is funny, does contain many laugh out loud moments as well as OMG did they just do that scenes and many cast members make the needed trip for the reunion,(including the MILF lads!) but it’s not particularly great. The characters are all back for their 13th High School Reunion, the class of 1999 are ready to catch-up and party. However despite the added facial hair and blatant plastic surgery to some members of the group, fundamentally it’s all the same.

Your first love never leaves you so they say and Kevin (Eddie Kaye Thomas), despite now being married clearly still holds his candle over Vicky (Tara Reid). Oz (Chris Klein) and choir chick Heather (Mena Suvari )have some unfinished business, despite him being famous and fresh from being voted off Dancing with the Stars – oh dear, yes the writers went there in their attempt to create a believable reality, along with giving him a younger girlfriend who is a drugged up model whilst Heather went off to pursue her medical dreams and is now dating a dishy surgeon.

Finch (Thomas Ian Nicholas) hasn’t been seducing anyone’s mothers that we know of, he’s been off traveling the globe, creating exciting adventures and Stiffler (Sean William Scott) well nothing’s changed, he’s still the horny eighteen year old boy lives with his mum, thinks that poo jokes are funnier than Billy Connolly and has no career or spine to speak of, and no he’s not forgiven Finch for the whole Mrs Robinson thing but he may have got some revenge this time around.

Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) and Jim (Jason Biggs) may now be married and have a child but that hasn’t stopped their freaky behaviour and sexual practices it’s just slowed it down a little as the two are dealing with a few martial issues which are all about to get a lot worse, thanks to a crush that the next door neighbour Jim used to babysit has on him, which causes utter mayhem throughout the film.

Can we get a big aww for Jim’s dad (Eugene Levy) please, the man who gave his wayward virgin son so much advice over the years well sadly Jim’s mum has passed away and he now finds himself rocking the solo scene, even resorting to online dating and the shoe is on the other foot as Jim offers his dad some solace and hooks him up with one member of the cast that many (including Finch) will be happy to see making a return. Some of the funniest and oddly most touching scenes are the ones focussing on this slightly unhinged father/son relationship.

The gangs back, the parties are still wild, the gags are recycled and they’ve all grown up (a little) but some things will never change, including my love of this set of dysfunctional friends, it’s not the best comedy ever but it holds interest, throws in some new characters and plays to its strengths.

The tagline reads ‘Save the Best Piece Till Last’, I’d argue that it’s not the best one by far and there is a hint of another sequel at the end too, so we’ll see. However one thing is for sure, Marvel aren’t the only ones who can do a great after credits scene, ensure you stay in your seats for that slice of unexpected action.

By Amy Gathercole