American Pie 2 Review
by Jerry Saravia (faust668 AT aol DOT com)March 7th, 2002
AMERICAN PIE 2 (2001)
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
March 6th, 2002
RATING: 2 stars and 1/2
It is tough to review a movie like "American Pie 2" because either one appreciates a teenage sex comedy or they don't. "American Pie" was a decent entertainment that went on too long, but it did have some big laughs and a genial tone that was appealing enough. But make no mistake: "American Pie" aimed for one general theme - high-school teenagers today are only interested in sex, nothing else. "American Pie 2" continues the same theme with little or no ingenuity and, at least, it is still genial and contains some big laughs.
Goofy, geeky Jim (Jason Biggs) is back, now having gone through a whole year at college. He is still preoccupied with sex and is caught doing the nasty by his parents and his girlfriend's parents! Jim goes back home for the summer, but is then instantly taken to a lake house in Michigan with his buddies. They need a job and find one painting a house where two supposed lesbians live! So there are lots of scatalogical jokes involving sex, homophobia, homosexuality, phone sex, super glue, and even CB radio! The latter joke seems strange considering we live in the era of the Internet (CB is referred to as the "prehistoric Internet" in the thrilling "Joyride"), thus the earlier film's joke of broadcasting Jim's embarrassing rendezvous with the Russian girl, Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), on the Internet was far funnier.
And that is about it. "American Pie 2" is a situational comedy in the strictest sense, depending entirely on creative sexual adventures to further the movie along. There is no plot and really no story - this is a roundabout sexual comedy all the way. The problem is that after a while, the situations and the jokes can get old when the filmmakers have nothing else to depend on. A sticky predicament involving Jim gets some big laughs. I also like the extended scene where the two lesbian chicks confront Jim and two of his buddies, and convince them to undress and kiss. There is a nice bit involving Jim's prom date, Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and how he asks her to prepare him for the inevitable meeting with his "Internet" love, Nadia. I also enjoyed the brief scenes with Tara Reid and Mena Sevauri, both of whom are too talented for this kind of material. They are so watchable that I wish they were given more screen time.
The characters are fresh and likable. Some of the situations are fun. The dialogue is sometimes clever. I can't feel but mystified, though, that "American Pie 2" exists for no reason other than to cash in on the original and provide more of the same. We are led to believe that after high school, college only offers these kids the same lusty thoughts of sexual promiscuity. When do they ever grow up?
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