American Pie: Band Camp [DVD] [2005] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

When a movie comes out strait to video there is usually a reason, and this was one of those. This was not the fourth instalment in the American Pie series, but more of a spin-off. It's unfortunate that a triology like American Pie has this trying to ride on it's coat tails.

Here we see the younger brother of American Pie's Steve Stiffler, Matt Stiffler, who is following in his older brother's footsteps. His bad behavior at school has resulted in a discipline action: go to band camp this summer or be expelled. Whoa to the innocents at band camp who are there to feel the wrath of Matt's evil nature. Matt plots to make the best of his band camp experience by filming a Girls Gone Wild type video to sell and make him rich. Naturally, Stiffler meets a wonderful girl amidst the quirky, somewhat awkward characters who he tries to clean up his act to have her actually like him. But he gives into his wants by pulling pranks (the ipecac syrip on the band instruments), is discovered, and emerges from band camp having learned his lessons.

This started off with an alright premiss, but it quickly fell flat. The American Pie movies set the bar, but we already knew what was going to happen thanks to the other three movies. The lead, Matt, was actually a dead ringer for the guy who played Stiffler in the original Pie movies, even though he has darker hair and features. But, the first Stiffler did it before. And where are the sex games that Michelle kept talking about that all the band camp geeks do!?! That's why we rented this movie to begin with!

Meh, it's alright, but don't take it too seriously.

Pay no mind to the reviewers who haven't actually seen this movie and are criticizing because the original cast isn't in this, because it's actually a worthy addition to the series.

It has more HEART than any on the movies in the series and UNLIKE AMERICAN WEDDING (which was more of a sequel to JACKASS than AMERICAN PIE), remembered that American Pie was a popular series because of the SEX and not the gross out jokes. Although it did manage to get some of those gross out jokes in there.

Really, the only thing that keeps this movie down is the fact that they weren't given a very big budget. For the amount of money that they had to make this, I think they did a very good job and the mostly original cast managed to be funny, relatable, appealing and should be commended for delivering a worthy addition to the series.

The movie revolves around Stiffler's brother Matt, played by Tad Hilgenbrink, who is trying to live up to his brothers reputation by making a peeping Tom video while being forced to go to Band Camp as a punishment for tormenting the Band.

The Band's leader, Elyse, played by Arielle Kebbel, was also a nice addition to the American Pie women. She's fun to watch with her innocent smile and budding sexuality.

The women are attractive too. Although they had small parts, Rachel Veltri and Carla Alaponte are stunners.

The story is sort of typical, but surprisingly had a lot of nice twists that weren't typical. Some nice surprises and a nice wrinkle of an ending.

After American Wedding spent nearly its entire 103 minutes doing gross out jokes that were more typical of JACKASS than the original American Pie, it was really refreshing to see Band Camp return the series to its true form and explore the hilarious side of teen sex with all its immaturities and vulnerablilities.

Band Camp is a worthy edition to my DVD collection.

This movie rocked. I just loved it. AP:BC was a nice addition to all three AP films. Yes, a spin-off more than a sequel, but, it still let us know that it had to do witht the others. It told us in references about Jim and Michelle, and, of course, ol' Steve. Also, Eugene Levy as Jim's dad and the Sherminator as the school counselor reprise their roles. Tad Hilgenbrink (if I spelled that right) did annoy me at first. I thought to myself that this guy is going to embarrass himself trying to act like Sean William Scott's character of his older brother. But, ya know what, after like only 10 minutes into the film, Tad as Matt Stiffler grew on me. I really enjoyed him. Also, I enjoyed the other co-stars as well. I think that the characters of Elyse and her goth friend and fellow bandie were/are great additions to the female AP characters. And, I thought the same for Matt and his posse of 3. I remember seeing commercials to AP:BC and telling myself that even though I want to see it, it'll probably be mediocre at the most. So, I rented from Blockbuster. When I got home, my sister and I watched it and we both enjoyed it and laughed quite frequently. As soon as it ended, I took it back to Blockbuster that same very day. No, not becuase it sucked, but, because I wanted to buy it on DVD immediately for myself. I remembered noticing that the weekly Best Buy add showed AP:BC and the AP:Trilogy for just 15.99 a piece. So, I took my Best Buy gift card that I got for Christmas, and I purchased both right away. The raunchier, unrated versions to be exacts. And, boy, am I pleased. Now I have all 4 to the AP collection. I just hope that since this new installment was so great, that they don't make a 5 and screw it up. So, leave the AP:Qaudrilogy alone. Oh, and I don't plan on telling you guys the plot, becuase I want you to see this film for yourselves so that you, too, will know just how great of an addition this film is. Also, don't let the kiddies watch or ppl who are easily offended and disgusted by this sorta comedy genre, and you'll be able enjoy.

If you liked the previous American Pie movies, and thought Stifler stole every scene in which he uttered vulgarity, then you'll probably love this movie. I laughed over and over, despite the ridiculousness of some scenes and the contrived setup of sending a Stifler to band camp. About that...

Matt Stifler (Tad Hilgenbrink), the original's younger brother, got into too much trouble on the eve of his senior year with a giant prank played against the outgoing senior class, and the guidance counselor (The Sherminator from the originals) sentences him to a summer at band camp. His female arch nemesis Elyse (Arielle Kebbel) just happens to be the band leader at this camp.

The predictable ensues - trouble, strife, understanding, camaraderie, triumph - leading to the final battle between the Stifler/Elyse band and the local rich kid band. Along the way Matt uses some recently purchased spy gear to record "Bandies Gone Wild," video proof of all the wild rumors of band camp (i.e. "This one time, at band camp...").

The best part about this movie is the two leads. First and foremost, Tad Hilgenbrink is PERFECT. I checked IMDB while watching the movie to see if he was actually related to Sean William Scott. I'm still convinced he's a second cousin or something. Arielle Kebbel is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the over-achieving role. Despite the fact that none of the originals returned, Eugene Levy stuck around for the paycheck.

Unless you've never heard of the American Pie series - if so, welcome to Earth - this should come as no surprise. It's racy, crude, filled with sex and nudity, and exactly what's expected.

Jason Elin

The gang we've all come to know from the American Pie trilogy has left to pursue their lives. With one door closing, another opens. Stifler is still at it in the 4th installment, though it aint the Stifler you think it is. Instead of Steve, we have Matt Stifler, the younger brother who is all grown up now and heading into his summer break of his junior year of high school. The school is having is having a ceremony for the seniors as a last goodbye. The school band is there to play, but Stifler has other ideas. Stifler's little prank goes a little haywire which causes him to get into some trouble. His penalty?... To go to band camp and learn to be a team player. Trying to turn a negative into a positive, Matt decides to buy spy gear and spy on his new found camp goers to catch them doing some dirty acts with one another. Just Stifler being a Stifler.

I really liked Band Camp and think it was a decent installment to the series. Sure it's got a lower budget and a no name cast, but it does feel like a Pie movie. Actually, it could've been called Band Camp without the American Pie name and it probably wouldn't get nearly the heat it gets. While American Wedding tried and failed (in my opinion) to make Steve seem kind of likeable in the end, Band Camp does give you hope for Matt. In the beginning, Matt is a total jerk who doesn't want nothing more than to be like his older brother Steve. Through the movie though, you can see him beginning to become less of a jerk and more of an okay friend to hopefully one day an ok guy. It was nice to see him begin to stick up to his friends, while at the same time still being `himself'. He still liked to play the pranks and he still liked to get the girls, but he stopped with worrying about what some people thought about him.

As for the jokes and nudity, there is an abundance. I laughed at a lot of the scenes, even the dumb ones. I couldn't help it. Maybe it's cause I didn't take the movie serious when going into it. I actually thought it was going to be really bad, but was definitely surprised. Everything from the oboe scene to the special sunscreen I liked. And there were plenty of boob shots thanks to the spy cams. And for you girls, Matt loves to show off his butt.

Also there are even some nice scenes for you love doves out there. It was kind a funny to see one of the nerdy guys who became Matt's first friend at camp trying to get with the bad girl of the group. And there was one scene that I liked that had two people on a dock. It was sweet. Yeah I said it. Do something.

In the end I would say it's a worthy addition to the Pie family. It's American Pie guys, it's not supposed to be real. Even the first three movies were fake as heck also. Give it a try if you haven't.

P.S. - Arielle Kebbel is so so so yummy.