American Reunion (15)

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Director: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg

Cast: Jason Biggs (Jim), Sean William Scott (Stifler), Alyson Hannigan (Michelle), Chris Klein (Oz), Thomas Ian Nicholas (Kevin), Tara Reid (Vicky), Mena Suvari (Heather), Eddie Kaye Thomas (Finch)

Plot: The high school friends reunite for a reunion arranged by John, one of the MILF duo. They all meet up to re-live their high school days even though their lives have changed. Oz is a sports presenter with a narcissistic girlfriend, Jim is married to Michelle with a son but experiencing problems in the bedroom and Kevin is happily married and working from home while Finch is a world traveller supposedly. Stifler is the most unchanged of the guys, working as a temp and just wanting his old high school life back. They all find themselves getting into the same old mischief they used to get themselves into but with older heads on their shoulders and realise that even after all this time, their friendship has stood the test of time.

Trailer:

When I saw the poster for the newest and potentially last instalment of American Pie - Reunion, I was so glad to see all the cast back in the game! The first two films are the epitome of my teenage years and were the first films that I watched that had the laughs and the sex that made us all cringe and cry with laughter at the same time. So needless to say, I made my way to the cinema the same weekend it was released and I was impressed.

Firstly the opening scene did not disappoint. You see good old Jim and Michelle not failing to entertain us with their self-penetration antics! I love the song choice of R Kelly - Bump and Grind to set the mood for Jim before his son interrupts with seriously painful repercussions! I felt all the guy's pain in the audience!

This set the bar for the rest of the film. I was pleasantly surprised that throughout I was kept on my toes and laughing. The film is based around the idea of the school reunion set up by John (John Cho) who was one of the original MILF guys who had a thing for Stifler's Mom. I love the fact that even the secondary actor's are from the original cast and even their story lines are taken into consideration, as MILF guy number one was nowhere to be seen as a fight between them was implied.

Jim's Dad is always the highlight of the film with his cringe Father-Son chats but as he is now a widower he is more dependent on Jim but he has to juggle a sexually frustrated wife, a lonely Father and reuniting with his old school friends.

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The reunion reminds the guys how much they have all changed and a piece of them wants to go back to their old days. They feel old entering their town and have to face the facts that growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be. They go to a beach party for Jim's neighbour who has a massive crush on him and he is forced to take her home drunk which leads the boys to have a night just like the old days.

This night also brings up Kevin's old feelings for Vicky and makes Oz re-think his relationship with his girlfriend as he sees Heather again. Stifler is still up to his old tricks and is always the life and soul of the party, even if the group tend to make him the outsider.

For me, the best part of the film is Stifler's sophisticated party that was meant to make everyone reminisce about the old days but just shows them how old they all are 13 years on from high school. I like the fact that Stifler's Mom is still hot but this time she has her sights set on Jim's Dad, so some happiness has come from the party.

The film ties up loose ends and reconnects a lot of old story lines which is what makes it a perfect end to the reign of American Pie. You see Stifler stand up for himself and finally be accepted by the group, Jim and Michelle reconnect where it all began, Oz get his girl and Finch come clean and own up to his typical 9-5 life. Most of all, the cherry on top, is when Stifler gets his own back on Finch and the MILF duo reunite!

The film shows you how good friendships will always last and even though you change and things can never be like they were at high school, you can still keep the original bond and be friends until the end.

My view: A good end (if it is even the end, I feel this should be the end as it is tied up nicely) to a brilliant set of teenage comedy films. The characters still have their great chemistry which is what the film thrives on. I would have liked a little bit more involvement from Vicky as she is just left single and not much else is said! I just hope there are no more spin-offs like American Pie - Band Camp as the original cast are what makes these films so successful and entertaining. Leave it to the professionals!

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Rating: 6/10