Review: American Reunion (2012)

by

05, April 2012Reviews

Cast: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott
Director: John Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Country: USA
Genre: Comedy
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Note: American Reunion goes on wide release in North America on April 6th.

I was a freshman in high school when the first American Pie came out, and needless to say it took the world by storm. In a short amount of time it became THE movie to see. The jokes, the quotes, it consumed my school as it did everybody else’s. It was fun, it was contagious, and it wasn’t long before it had its grasp on me… in more ways than the common person. Simply put, I grew up with the franchise. So it is only natural that the feeling I got after seeing American Reunion was that of ‘warm and fuzzy’.

It’s high school reunion time in East Green Falls, Michigan. It’s said ritual that brings the gang together, ranging from the main to the supporting. Jim and Michelle (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) are married but suffer from the sexless blues. They visit Jim’s wise but lonely dad (Eugene Levy) and in the meantime catch up with all the guys. You remember them! Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicolas), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and of course the Stifmeister (Seann William Scott). While reminiscing about the good times, realizations of their present-day situations hit them hard, and it’s not encouraging. Everything becomes a clustered mess, and it’s up to the gang to set things right before the big night.

…in comedies when it’s evident that the entire ensemble is acting for the joy of being there rather than actually acting, it can be a movie’s most infectious feature.

The movie’s biggest attraction, without a doubt, is the filmmakers’ proficiency in getting back everyone, and I do mean everyone: a huge move, no doubt. I mean, this was something they couldn’t even do the last round (DTVs not regarded). It’s no secret that not everybody from the original cast has gone on to big fame, or at least not the good kind. Failed reality shows, rehab, and horrible showcases of acting have sort of created this unofficial ‘curse of the Pie’ vibe over the years. Understandably, this was one of the things that kept me on alert at first, but I’m overjoyed to report the bringing together of the failed and the well not only works, but it’s a great success.

It might not be the most professional of moves, but in comedies when it’s evident that the entire ensemble is acting for the joy of being there rather than actually acting, it can be a movie’s most infectious feature. For this particular franchise, just showing up is half the fun. If you were like me and progressed with these characters from high school on, it’s a neat thing seeing them together again. I won’t spoil who else shows up for the party; seeing who does will be an ‘old-school’ drinking game unto itself.

Bringing in new eyes was a smart move. I would say their best accomplishment was being able to do something the past movies always had trouble doing well: displaying everyone’s stories steadily and consistently.

The party’s in full gear, but who’s orchestrating it is different. Adam Herz, the writer of all the main films, takes a back seat this time (but stays on as an executive producer). Instead we get the raw and fresh writing/directing talents of Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (their last effort was writing the already underrated A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas). Bringing in new eyes was a smart move. I would say their best accomplishment was being able to do something the past movies always had trouble doing well: displaying everyone’s stories steadily and consistently. Sure, most of them fall to the cliché’s trap, but the fact that we get everyone’s plight in proper amounts counts.

The franchise has always had its most devoted fans, but it also has those who have never cared for it. The last go around, American Wedding was a near full-blown disaster, and left a bad taste in a lot of mouths. For that group, they might be out of luck, although I would like to meet the people around my age group that doesn’t have a soft spot for these knuckleheads. Think of Reunion as the result of taking the best and worst elements of the past adventures, amplifying the good and deleting/suppressing the bad, mixing it all together in a bowl, baking it up and coming out with a ‘best-of’ pie.

73/100 ~ GOOD. Think of Reunion as the result of taking the best and worst elements of the past adventures, amplifying the good and deleting/suppressing the bad, mixing it all together in a bowl, baking it up and coming out with a ‘best-of’ pie.

Jaime Burchardt
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My head's been consumed the art of movies & its creation ever since I was old enough to know what the word 'consumed' meant. The only way to reduce the pressure buildup is to write, edit, and direct. Chocolate milk also helps.
  • http://twitter.com/roe2dep Karen Stevens

    You give me some hope about seeing American Reunion.  

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    Just by you saying that, my work is done : ) ….for now….

  • http://twitter.com/qrkizd qrkizd

    i wasn’t planning on seeing this (only recall seeing maybe 1 of the first few films) but now i’m curious! 

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    If you do see it, I hope you have a good time!