DVD Review: American Pie 2
Written by: Kage Alan

Film Rating: B+
DVD Special Features: A-

          Once upon a time, there was a little known writer from Grand Rapids, Michigan who wrote a screenplay called "American Pie" and sold it to Hollywood. The entire city was so excited that one of their own hit the big time that they all flocked to the theaters to see it, which probably accounts for 75% of the money the film made. It didn't necessarily mean it was a good movie, but it did make money and that's what the studio cared about. In fact, they cared about it so much that they've now released four different versions of the very same film. It's so refreshing to know we can choose between watching the Standard, Widescreen, Ultimate Edition Standard or Ultimate Edition Widescreen edition of some teenager humping an apple pie.

Well, it's been two years since the birth of this non-classic and we're now blessed with a sequel that is available in an "R" rated version and an "Unrated" version. I, of course, chose the "Unrated" version. As with all horror sequels, the teenage comedy sequel has rules as well. It can best be summed up as the word "more"; more exposed flesh, more sex, more foul language, more embarrassing situations and, if done any better, more laughs. While I was looking forward to seeing "American Pie 2" about as much as I would "Scream 8: Out of Breath Because I'm Too Old To Run", I must shamefully admit that I...um...laughed...out loud...a lot.

The original cast returns to find yet more ways to make fools of themselves in their never-ending quest to get laid during the summer after their freshman year of college. That's about all there is for plot and while the "making fools of themselves" is the film's strongest source for humor, the "getting laid" part is where AP2 goes exceedingly overboard in the poorest sense. Unless your lifelong dream is to have sex anywhere anytime, refer to your friends as every vulgar word in the English language and watch a minor mirror that very same behavior, then chances are you won't be impressed either. A little can go a long way, but too much is a real turnoff. Fortunately, these shortcomings are limited to only a few characters.

On the positive side, many of the other characters appear to have grown up a bit. Keanu Reeves look-alike and just-as-cardboard-acting Oz (Chris Klein) has remained faithful to his girlfriend even during the months that she's overseas surrounded by obviously ugly European men, Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) learns to accept that his ex-girlfriend has moved on and that he should too, Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) attempts to repress all of his sexual energy until the right time and place, namely when his friend's mother shows up at their rented summer house, and Jim (Jason Biggs) discovers his inner geek and the difference between what his hormones want and who his heart desires.

Biggs has the standout role in AP2 and the writer is wise to stick with his character's story. It's unfortunate that Sean William Scott is given such a foul and shallow role to work with again. Come to think of it, all of his roles have been rather shallow. If his previous work in "Evolution" and "Dude, Where's My Car?" is any indication of where his career is headed, Sean better pray he discovers a fountain of youth because Jim Carrey he's not. The rest of the supporting cast does their best to move things along and provide fodder for our laughter, especially Eugene Levy, and they do it well. It's worth noting too that the best gags and moments haven't been shown in the film trailers, not by a long shot. You'll never keep superglue on the bedside table or look at your friend's rear end the same way again while in the presence of suspected lesbians.

I have no complaints about the video or audio quality on the DVD. Everything is nice and clean on that front, but I do have a few complaints regarding the disc and the packaging. Even though you can use the "forward" button on the remote control, Universal insists on putting their little commercials before your eyes when you hit the "Play Movie" section on the main menu. I want to watch the film, which is why I pushed that button, NOT their commercial. I'd hoped that DVD would rid us of that kind of self-promotion, but I guess I was wrong. The other problem I have is with the packaging. This isn't the first disc by a studio to boast "Over 10 Hours Of Entertainment" (or however many hours the other discs mention) based on the number of audio commentaries. They take the running time of the film and multiply that by the number of commentaries, then add the original running time again, and suddenly you have a whole lot of minutes to brag about.

And while we're on the subject of extras, my gripes aside, this disc is packed! First up is the 22 minute "Making of American Pie 2" featuring lots of behind-the-scenes mayhem and interviews with cast and crew. It's not really much of a studio piece and does center more around the cast and the amount of fun they had making the movie. It's not all that informative, but it's very easy to get caught up in all the excitement and that's where it works best. There a section of outtakes and flubs, which is quite funny at times, a 10 minute collection of deleted scenes, a trailer featuring an introduction by Jason Biggs, a collection of candid behind-the-scenes moments with the cast, original casting sessions from the first film with six members of the cast, a music video by 3 Doors Down, production notes, cast and crew information and 4 (yes, count them) audio commentaries. There's one with Director J.B. Rogers, another with Writer Adam Herz, another with cast members Jason Biggs, Mena Suva and Thomas Ian Nicholas and a final commentary by cast member Eddie Kaye Thomas.

I didn't listen to each commentary in its entirety, but moved back and forth from one to the other. The director and writer had quite a bit to say as did the group of three actors. The final commentary with Eddie Kaye Thomas is a little more sparse when he's not on camera, but he does try his best to keep up the conversation and has some very flattering things to say about his co-stars. I really ought to listen to the complete Director's commentary since I wasn't able to pick out what the unrated material was that didn't appear in the theatrical cut. The rest of the special features are kind of silly and unnecessary. They include "Viewers Top 10 Scenes", but anybody who owns both films can watch those scenes, "Classic Movie Lines," which takes you to that scene in the film, "Music Highlights," which seems basically unnecessary since I'm sure viewers would own the soundtrack if they liked what they already heard well enough and finally some Studio paraphernalia.

In a standard sequel world, "American Pie 2" should be a shoddy attempt to repeat the first film ad nausea and fail miserably. For some reason, this one works and is far more entertaining than it has any business being. It's even better than the first, but that's not saying much since the first isn't that hard to beat. While not without its flaws, AP2 is entertaining nonetheless, so be sure to watch for a spike in DVD rentals in Grand Rapids.

Kage holds degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels. kage@modamag.com

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