Blu-Ray Review:AMERICAN PIE 2

★★★☆☆

If there’s anything that gives me a sense of palpable dread, it’s when a sequel is announced to capitalise on a surprise hit. You know the story by now, low-budgeted film strikes a chord with audiences, becomes a big hit, makes about 10 times its original budget and a sequel is rushed into production where it becomes just another franchise and just another cog in the Hollywood machine. By their inherent nature, sequels to big hit films just aren’t going to have the impact that the originals did. To put it like a smug prick journalist, the pie isn’t as fresh this time round. Having said all that,  American Pie 2 does a lot to sidestep many of the beartraps that other sequels fall prey to.

Having all lost their V-cards in the previous film, American Pie 2 doesn’t really know what to do with Jim (Jason Biggs), Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas). Oh- add fan-favourite foul mouthed jock Stifler (Seann William-Scott) to that list as well. What it comes up with is now the gang want to throw the party to end all parties at a lakehouse. There’s added time pressure for Jim as super-hot Czech girl Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) is returning and Jim wants to have had a least a few more sexual encounters before taking on his fantasy girl. Whilst not known for its intricate plot, at least the first film had a sense of where the characters needed to be at the end of the film. At least there was some kind of unwavering goal hanging over proceedings. In this film, the plot is just an excuse to give the audience more of the same. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just a bit unimaginative and lacks the bite the first film had.

Whereas American Pie kept the balance between the interweaving stories of the four lads, American Pie 2 decides to go straight-up conventional and just have the plot play out as normal. With this approach, the more prominent characters like Stifler and Jim are focused on to the detriment of Finch and especially the Keanu Reeves- like Oz, who only gets a subdued phone-sex thread to run with which kind of fizzles out. Certain characters like Finch and Stifler have also had their wackiness levels upped and seem more unrealistic. Instead of the mochaccino drinking, faux sophisticate Finch we had in the first film, we have a pretentious bellend in his stead.

The one thing that stood out to me about this film is that it seems preoccupied with sticking to the formula, or more precisely, creating an American Pie formula. Whilst this is understandable for a sequel, the elements it chooses to make series hallmarks are quite baffling. We have another Stifler gross-out moment at a party involving bodily fluids, we have Jim embarrassing himself in front of a large audience ,we have a “sexy” happening where we see the public at large react to it (in the first one it was Jim and Nadia’s webcam shenanigans, in this one it’s a lesbian tease show broadcast over walkie-talkies and loudspeakers) and we have another encounter between Finch and Stifler’s mom. I’m not saying that these are unfunny (well, except the whole Jim pretending to be “special” gag, which left rather a nasty taste and isn’t nearly as funny as the film think it is.), I’m just saying that it’s a shame you can predict the comedy set-pieces this time round. Still though- the scene where Jim mistakes a tube of superglue for a tube of lubricant is damn funny and a great showcase of how gifted Jason Biggs is at awkward physical comedy. The following scene in the hospital with Jim’s dad (again played by Eugene Levy) is also very well done.

American Pie 2 is a worthy sequel, but only just. It’s funny, raunchy and gives fans of the series exactly what they want. The only trouble is that it doesn’t share the raw insight or the genuine heart that the first one had. Maybe it’s because I was surprised at how deep the first film is (shut up- it is!), but I found American Pie 2 is just a big ol’ slice of average. In terms of sequels, it’s not bad. Whether or not American Pie needed a sequel (or indeed sequels) is another matter. Pretty good.

Reviewer: Ben Browne
(Re-)Release Date UK: 19th March 2012
Directed By: J.B. Rogers
Cast: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth

Buy American Pie 1 – 3 Box Set (with Digital Copies) On Blu-ray