American Pie: Reunion [DVD] [2012]

Thought the first two were awesome but thought the third noticeably drifted away from what made the first two special.

For American Pie 4, saw it last night and the viewing I was going to see was sold out abuot 45mins before the film started so got tickets for a later viewing. Even at the last viewing the screen was still busy.

I was excited to see them all back together, but I didn't know what to expect. I know Hollywood loves destroying sequels and I didn't know how they were going to create a story line out of characters that really haven't been together in forever.

Fear not. I though this movie was almost as good as the original. Two hours of non-stop cracking-up, but none of it was forced. They brought back all the characters, but in a way that didn't seem thrown together or in-genuine. It was about 2 hours long, but not once did I think this was dragging. They did a nice job explaining where everyone has been and it didn't really seem awkward.

The best part of it is, the story is about all 5 of the original guys, and their relationship with women and sex at their current juncture (31 years old). Each have their own issues (too married, have kids, hate their jobs, hate their lifestyle, etc.) and the movie is kind of about them all resolving their that over the course of a reunion weekend. It's the American Pie which is most similar too the first one. All the old couples from high-school (Oz/Heather, Kevin/Vicky, Jim/Michelle) re-hash their past feelings.

Another great thing about the film is that Stifler's character is written back in the style of American Pie 1 and 2, which I loved. His part is not over bearing like the Wedding. Kevin, Finch (and Oz) play much bigger roles than they did they did in the third.

There a couple new characters but none of them are annoying or take up too much of the story, all those parts are well cast. Jim's Dad and Stifler's Mom are hilarious on screen together. Jim's Dad is the funniest he has ever been- but again- not in an over the top way. All in all, it's a well-written, well-rounded film with some good plot twists. Tons of references too the old films. Literally, all of the obscure characters from the first two make an appearance at some point.

If you are a fan of the American Pie films (especially 1 & 2) your going to LOVE this movie.

Surely no-one goes into the cinema expecting this movie to be as good as the original, (because obviously it isn't). That said if you enjoyed the first three instalments you should still enjoy, "American Pie - Reunion."

Its caught pretty much all the original cast, (that I can think of anyway). They mostly look the same, (I won't be rude here) and the majority of the gang have settled down except for Steve, "Stiffler," who perhaps has even regressed! (He is still behaving like a high school student and perhaps in some respects hasn't sold out).

There are, (of course) some funny threads, one such involving Jim and his former neighbour, (now aged eighteen) who he used to babysit. (She takes a particular shine to him).

It doesn't waiver much from its proven formula and there's a lot of misunderstandings and wrong goings on!

Perhaps its a film for younger people now, (the cinema was full of young people) but I'm sure people who watched the original will still enjoy this part of the franchise.

This film is funny along the lines of the first two. If you love American Pie like I do, you must see this, it's great. If you didn't like the first two then stop wasting your time here, go back to your local library and get a herbal tea on the way home to your one bedroom flat and pet cat. This is a sequel rule breaker, laugh out loud funny. Well worth the wait.