American Pie 2 (2001) starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Mena Suvari, Chris Owen directed by James B. Rogers Movie Review

American Pie 2 (2001)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott and Eddie Kaye Thomas in American Pie 2

One Year American Reunion

After the huge success of "American Pie" it is little surprise that a sequel came rolling along. What is surprising is that "American Pie 2", despite mainly rehashing many of the gags and situations which filled the first movie is still hugely entertaining although at the same time completely predictable. Like the first movie, "American Pie 2" again focuses on the sexual trials and tribulations of a group of teenagers and the embarrassment of getting things completely wrong. Again "American Pie 2" relies on being over the top as well as rude, lewd and crude in its thirst for more outrageous laughs. In fact, "American Pie 2" brings absolutely nothing new to the series, just more of the same which made the first so enjoyable.

Having finished their first year at college, all the gang Jim (Jason Biggs), Kev (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Stifler (Seann William Scott) reunite for a summer of fun and frolics at a beach house up on the lake. Jim is still on a sexual quest and when he discovers that gorgeous foreign exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) plans to visit him, he seeks out band geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) for advice. Oz is struggling to deal with a long distance relationship as Heather (Mena Suvari) is spending the summer studying abroad and Kev is equally struggling with his emotions as Vicky (Tara Reid) returns after having broken up with him before going to college. Meanwhile Stifler hates Finch for bedding his mother, whilst all Finch can think about is being tantric, oh and bedding Stifler's mother.

Jason Biggs as Jim Levenstein in American Pie 2

The storyline to "American Pie 2" picks up nicely with the gang getting back together after a year and with a few things changing. But to be honest the plot to "American Pie 2" stays simple, and basically provides a vehicle for a range of funny scenes which link together reasonably well. How you manage to get scenes involving sexual mishaps with super glue, possible lesbians and sexual experiences with a trumpet without them feeling completely out of place and just a series of set pieces is quite impressive. That is part of the reason why "American Pie 2" and its predecessor are so good; they manage to make the daftest of scenes link up where other movies fail.

What is good is that although the characters have pretty much stayed the same; in certain cases there situations have changed, such as Oz and Heather being in a committed relationship, whilst Finch can't get Stifler's Mum out of his head after being seduced by her at the end of high school. These changes certainly help to make "American Pie 2" that slight bit different to the first and in fact saves it from being just a poor imitation.

Where "American Pie 2" wavers a bit is in the comedy stakes and again if you are not a fan of gross out comedy then you are not going to enjoy the goings on. Whilst there are plenty of new gags which crop up during "American Pie 2", there are equally a lot of gags which appeared in the first movie and have just been slightly rehashed, such as Steve Stifler yet again coming a cropper when he gets peed on from a balcony. Okay so these jokes are good but to do near enough the same thing again cheapens "American Pie 2" ever so slightly.

What is obvious is that the producers of "American Pie 2" realised how important both the character of Jim and the actor Jason Biggs are to the success of the movies and even more of the scenes and humour revolve around his character and his sexual mishaps. Whilst Biggs was definitely funny in the "American Pie" he is hilarious in "American Pie 2" and pushes the embarrassment factor to a whole new level. Thankfully there are enough scenes which don't directly involve Jim to stop it feeling like a one man show and the constant feuding between the characters of Stifler and Finch is still as funny as ever.

What this all boils down to is that if you enjoyed "American Pie" then you will no doubt enjoy "American Pie 2". It is equally on a par with the first and although at times it feels like they have relied on rehashing a few too many jokes it is still remarkably enjoyable. Again Jason Biggs is undoubtedly the star of the movie bringing a new meaning to the word humiliation, but it is the combined efforts of all the cast which makes "American Pie 2" as enjoyable as the first. But again, "American Pie 2" pursues humour in being gross out, so if you are not a fan of gags designed to make you cringe then stay clear.


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