American Reunion

I can't explain quite how ecstatic I was to see this movie. The first three were probably as a group my favorite trilogy of movies. It all just kept getting funnier and funnier! 

When I heard the plans were coming out for American Reunion, I assumed (WRONG) that it was going to be one of those straight to video movies that American Pie did,  like "Naked Mile" or "Book of Love" with none of the original characters (Except Eugene Levy). So you can imagine my excitement when I hear that YES, it IS a REUNION!!! Everyone will be there!! I never found anyone to go see it at the theater with, which means obviously I have no friends, or no friends with taste. I hope it's the latter but who knows. Now, I have finally gotten around to watching this movie, and  I have for you, my thoughts.

I loved this movie. LOVED it. It could be because it was a great movie, or it could be because I love the characters and the themes and loved seeing their new endeavors. Either way, I was entertained. 

Of course it began in true American Pie fashion, embarrassing the hell out of Jim. Only this time, it was in front of his adorable son. It was definitely just as cringe worthy as all of the other opening Pie scenes.

One of the aspects that I love about the American Pie series is that in each movie, there are consistencies while still churning out a different story line every time. One of the biggest ongoing trends is the "bromance" that exists between Jim, Oz, Finch, Kevin, and even Stifler. They seem to know everything about each other and they have that relationship that makes girls (well, this girl anyway) smile and swoon for. I love seeing guys that love their friends. This film was no different than the first three in that aspect. The guys are still very much a tight knit crew, although the girls were a different story. I was sad to see some of the changes with certain men and their girlfriends in the movie, but such is life, and it made for an interesting thing to see. Another consistency is that Jims dad is awkward. Painfully, wonderfully, adorably awkward. There will always, always be a conversation between the two of them that will just make you want to close your eyes and wish it away, fiction though it may be. Some might not like this repetitive nature in films, but Pie has a way of making each movie just a twinge different, each movie moving a little forward through life's strangeness. 

Throughout the movie, you have all the insane madness leading up to the main event: the reunion. New hookups, old flings, skeletons in the closet, this movie brings it all back. If it's been awhile since you've seen the first three movies, you'll really feel nostalgic watching this movie as we're reminded of everything from Jim's humiliating premature ejaculation caught on film (remember Blink 182?) to Vicky and Kevin's sufficiently awkward first time. Yikes.

The main theme of the movie doesn't change from the rest of the movies, and that is basically this: Life is crazy, life can suck, nobody is better than anyone else. Your friends will always rock if they're really your friends. There are plenty of cliche, "I don't know who I am" and "be whoever you want to be" moments in this movie, but it's made up for by a strategically placed fart or unexpected punch in the face. Hey, if you're "not work jack shit" or you "have nothing to lose", why NOT take a dump in a cooler full of beer?

Enjoy ;)