American Pie 2 (2001)
Also known as "American Pie 2 Unseen Edition"
It's all about sticking together.
Starring: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Natasha Lyonne, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Chris Owen, Eugene Levy, Molly Cheek, Denise Faye, Lisa Arturo, Casey Affleck, Kevin Cooney, Jennifer Coolidge
Director: James B. Rogers
Running Time: 105 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Comedy, Romance
On DVD There's something refreshingly capitalist about the way the whole series of 'American Pie' DVDs attempt to market themselves. This one, for instance, describes itself as "unrated" and "unseen". It's a 15, and I watched it this afternoon.
Anyway, now I've got that one minor quibble off my chest, what of the movie itself? Well, as you'd probably expect, it's just like the original one, only predominantly without either the spark or the originality. Sure, there's a superglue gag in there that's rightfully destined to go down in comedy lore, and my blokeyness necessitates mentioning the one tremendous instance of girlie nudity, but other than that it's a disappointing and overly-long affair.
It's set a year on from the first one, and our favourite gang of sex-starved compadres are back home for the summer after finishing their fresher's year at college. As with last time, the main focus is on ridiculously unlucky-in-love Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs), his budding relationship with flute geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and his scene-stealing cringe-inducing dad (Eugene Levy). Also doing the same stuff as last time are the likes of Seann William Scott as uber-pratt Stifler, Shannon Elizabeth as the bizarrely-accented Nadia, and Chris Klein as lank-haired dullard Oz.
So the components might largely be the same, but the laughs are hard to come by and little-known director James B. Rogers criminally moves things along at a snail's pace. It's a long way from the most unenjoyable viewing experience you'll ever have, but to say it's a little flat would be the understatement of the year.
DVD Extras: The list of special features here reads like the contents of a teen-com Hall of Plenty, with a 'Baking of American Pie' featurette, choice of four different audio commentaries, out-takes and deleted scenes, original casting tapes from the first film, favourite scens, classic quotes, a music vid from 3 Doors Down (that's the name of the band, not where you have to go to watch it), over thirty music highlights, a trailer, filmographies, production notes and DVD-Rom goodies.
It's Got: Lesbians! I think. They might not be.
It Needs: To reconsider the idea that flutes are inherently funny.
Alternatives: American Pie, American Pie: The Wedding, Road Trip, Freddy Got Fingered, Not Another Teen Movie, Ten Things I Hate About You
Summary: This slice is a little lukewarm - stick it back in the microwave. On second thoughts, DON'T do that - DVDs and microwaves don't mix.
Review by Gary Panton
External Links
American Pie 2 at the IMDB
