Blu-ray Review: American Pie 2 - Page 2

It’s a bit of a stretch. In the first movie only Oz is really friends with Stifler. The other guys hang around with him only because of their mutual friend, with Stifler barely tolerating them. It’s strange he would decide to spend an entire summer with them, especially considering his hatred for Finch. But their animosity toward each other does set up some funny situations between him and the other guys. In the midst of their party planning Jim learns his old crush Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) plans to visit him at the end of summer. Not wanting to repeat Nadia’s disappointment from the previous year, Jim decides he needs some lessons in love. More specifically, he needs lessons in lovemaking. He enlists the help of Michelle, the only girl he has actually had sex with.

There are several funny set pieces in this movie. The interaction with two chicks that live in the house the boys are painting, as well as an unfortunate encounter between Jim and a tube of Super Glue, stand out in particular. What’s missing from the movie is some of the charm. Part of that is because lightning doesn’t usually strike twice. This film was less surprising because it doesn’t even attempt to expand on the first one. It also isn’t as easily relateable. The situations they all faced in high school were realistic. Renting a beach house for the summer is a merely plot device. Some of the best scenes are again between Jim and his dad (Eugene Levy), whose role has been reduced due to the boys leaving town.

Overall the movie is still pretty funny. It suffers from some things being a little too over-the-top in their quest for laughs, but most of it works pretty well. One of the biggest weaknesses is Kevin. The character never does anything funny. His pining after Vicky is just annoying and goes nowhere. As a straight man, he never really has anything clever to say in reaction to the shenanigans of his friends. He pretty much just goes along with everything. It’s clear this film is less focused on relationships than the first movie. Oz and Heather offer very little of interest (though their constantly foiled attempts at phone sex are cute). The Jim/Nadia/Michelle situation is pretty predictable, though the chemistry between Biggs and Hannigan is sweet and natural.

Article Author: Sherry Lipp

Sherry writes mostly music and DVD reviews, and on occasion she gets to do an interview. She plays the guitar, loves to read, watch movies, and write. Sherry also is a gluten free food blogger, and enjoys coming up with grain and sugar free recipes.

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