AMERICAN PIE 2
(R)
MOVIE: ** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
“American Pie 2,” while delivering on the sex, nudity and raunchiness, barely holds up against its predecessor. This is because, like many sequels, it was hard to pull things into focus to replay the same freshness of the original.
In “American Pie 2,” the kids are back from a year in college and have to get summer jobs. The decision is to move in together and, to keep their coolness factor alive, they plan to throw the greatest party of the summer.
In the special features of this release, the filmmakers point out that their answer to making a goal of having sex before graduation, this movie’s goal is to throw the biggest party of the year. This is exactly the mindset that makes “American Pie 2” a sloppy second to the first film which had so much heart.
Even though the idea of a teenage boy having sex seems like simple hedonism, it’s a right of passage that all guys go through. It’s a milestone in life, as important as learning to drive and moving out or getting a job. It may be a great, edgy source of jokes, but it’s an event that can change you for the rest of your life.
On the other hand, a party is just a party. This makes “American Pie 2” less about a right of passage and more about just being crazy. Sure, the party element lends itself to plenty of wild elements, but the passion behind the story just isn’t there. In fact, the only thing that hits home on an emotional level is the development of Jim’s relationship with band geek Michelle, and that’s woefully secondary to the greater story of planning for the party.
Sure, there are some very funny gags, but “American Pie 2” just doesn’t have the story and character charm behind it that the original film did. Such is the way of sequels in Hollywood.
The newly released Blu-ray includes all the bonus features from previous releases: deleted scenes, outtakes, four commentary tracks, a making-of featurette and a look at the cast and crew’s good times on the set. The only new features is a look at the new film “American Reunion.”
Additional features include an enclosed DVD as well as access to the pocketBLU app and BD-Live.