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"This Summer It's All About Sticking Together."
Movie sequels are always a scary proposition. If the original was good enough to deserve a sequel, then the sequel will be fighting an uphill battle to be just as entertaining. Fans have high expectations - as they should - of films that continue where their favorites left off. Studios should feel a sense of obligation to not just cash in on the original's success, but to place the best possible follow-up product on the market. Too many sequels skate by on the original's merits, and never even attempt to come close to providing quality entertainment. That said - "American Pie 2" does come as close as possible to delivering the goods.
The entire cast of the original "American Pie" returns for "American Pie 2." The story continues one year from where the first one left off. The gang has the summer off from college, and all but one are returning home to spend a few months reacquainting themselves with their high school buddies. The exception is Heather (Mena Suvari); she opts to spend most of the summer abroad. But never fear, she and Oz are still a couple, despite the long distance separation. Heather remains part of the story via phone calls to Oz - which include a few unsuccessful, interrupted, comical attempts at phone sex. Stifler (Seann William Scott) is still on the prowl, and continuing to build on his reputation as a party animal jerk. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) and Vicky (Tara Reid) face the awkward problem of having to learn how to deal with remaining friends after breaking up, and how to get past their jealousy of each other's new sex lives. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) still has an unhealthy obsession with Stifler's mom, much to the utter disgust of Stifler. And, finally, there's Jim. Jim's developed quite an inferiority complex since his disastrous Internet sex scandal with foreign exchange student, Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth). Seems he hasn't had sex since Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) attacked him on Prom Night - and he's convinced he's not very good in that department (Michelle later confirms he has due cause to believe he's bad in bed).
The characters don't stray far from the formula that made "American Pie" such a success. They've still got heart, raging hormones, and a knack for getting themselves into totally gross, embarrassing situations. Stifler's involved in an incident where he's used as a urinal; Jim gets himself into trouble via the use of super glue; and Stifler, Jim, and Finch have an encounter with two women - whom they believe to be lesbians - that is one of the funniest scenes from either the original or the sequel. Jim's dad returns in a few scenes (too few in my opinion) and continues to be the supportive father fans have come to know, love, and to depend on for delivering the funniest lines in the "American Pie" films.
Should fans of the original fork over their hard-earned cash and buy into the sequel? Watching the sequel was like catching up with old acquaintances, and for that reason alone, "American Pie 2" is worth the price of a ticket. You get the feeling that the actors enjoy their characters, and enjoyed the chance to work with one another again. The gang has slightly grown-up, but they're still as entertaining to watch as they were in 1999.
Overall Grade: B
Interested in purchasing "American Pie 2" on DVD?
Director: J.B. Rogers
Producers: Adam Herz, Chris Weitz, and Paul Weitz
Screenplay: Adam Herz
Cinematographer: Mark Irwin
Film Editor: Larry Madaras
Production Design: Richard Toyon
Casting: Joseph Middleton
Costume Design: Alexandra Welker
Jim - Jason Biggs
Michelle - Alyson Hannigan
Oz - Chris Klein
Stifler - Seann William Scott
Kevin - Thomas Ian Nicholas
Vicky - Tara Reid
Jim's Dad - Eugene Levy
Nadia - Shannon Elizabeth
Heather - Mena Suvari
Finch - Eddie Kaye Thomas
Jessica - Natasha Lyonne
Sherman - Chris Owen
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