American Pie 2 Unseen Edition
Its all about sticking together.
Rating: 5/10
Running Time: 105 minutes
UK Certificate: 15
On DVD
Theres something refreshingly capitalist about the way the whole series of American Pie DVDs attempt to market themselves. This one, for instance, describes itself as unrated and unseen. Its a 15, and I watched it this afternoon.
Anyway, now Ive got that one minor quibble off my chest, what of the movie itself? Well, as youd probably expect, its just like the original one, only predominantly without either the spark or the originality. Sure, theres a superglue gag in there thats rightfully destined to go down in comedy lore, and my blokeyness necessitates mentioning the one tremendous instance of girlie nudity, but other than that its a disappointing and overly-long affair.
Its set a year on from the first one, and our favourite gang of sex-starved compadres are back home for the summer after finishing their freshers year at college. As with last time, the main focus is on ridiculously unlucky-in-love Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs), his budding relationship with flute geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and his scene-stealing cringe-inducing dad (Eugene Levy). Also doing the same stuff as last time are the likes of Seann William Scott as uber-pratt Stifler, Shannon Elizabeth as the bizarrely-accented Nadia, and Chris Klein as lank-haired dullard Oz.
So the components might largely be the same, but the laughs are hard to come by and little-known director James B. Rogers criminally moves things along at a snails pace. Its a long way from the most unenjoyable viewing experience youll ever have, but to say its a little flat would be the understatement of the year.
It's Got: Lesbians! I think. They might not be.
It Needs: To reconsider the idea that flutes are inherently funny.
DVD Extras The list of special features here reads like the contents of a teen-com Hall of Plenty, with a Baking of American Pie featurette, choice of four different audio commentaries, out-takes and deleted scenes, original casting tapes from the first film, favourite scens, classic quotes, a music vid from 3 Doors Down (thats the name of the band, not where you have to go to watch it), over thirty music highlights, a trailer, filmographies, production notes and DVD-Rom goodies. DVD Extras Rating: 8/10
Summary
This slice is a little lukewarm – stick it back in the microwave. On second thoughts, DONT do that DVDs and microwaves dont mix.