Fans of the American Pie' series will undoubtedly love American Pie 3: American wedding. My feelings after seeing the third film in the series in four years, is that I am unsure if I like it or not. Perhaps I am just showing my age, then again it could be that this series has run its race, with the sex comedy' genre past its used-by date. It is my opinion that AP3', while not a great film does not mean it was a bad film. The big questions are being asked, strange and disgusting things are being eaten, and now the band camp' geek and apple pie' rooter are about to tie the knot!
In American Pie 3: American wedding, Jim and Michelle are getting married -in a hurry. Jim's grandmother is sick and wants to see Jim walk down the aisle, so they are going for it in two frantic weeks. Stifler plans to be invited, for the bridesmaids, and so he can throw Jim the ultimate bachelor party, with strippers! Finch is all for the hedonistic rituals, but not for letting Stifler steal the maid of honour, Michelle's sexy younger sister, Cadence. But while everybody else sweats and frets, Jim's Dad is cool as ever, getting ready for one of the proudest days of his son's life.
Most of the usual cast are back for a third time. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Allison Hannigan) are very much in love. Jim wants to take the next step which means getting hitched. The opening of the movie shows this ridiculously funny proposal, involving Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) just typical of these films, making Jim look totally crazy, (I am still wondering if salami was used once again for his tackle?) Both Biggs and Hannigan suit each other onscreen, sharing a good chemistry together.
Then when the other members of the gang hear there is to be wedding bells, guys like Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Stifler (Sean William Scott), cannot contain their excitement. While Kevin has a quite unusual, and for me, unsatisfying role in this film, it is Stifler that steals the limelight. Sean William Scott does many things that are very funny, disgusting, slimy and classy, all typical of the Stifler character.
One of the best scenes in the film involves Stifler at a gay bar, up against this huge gay guy. When Stifler is totally embarrassed, he comes back, having a very entertaining dance contest with the gay guy, both being very good on the dance floor. Stifler also continues his battle with Finchy' or s@%tbreak', as Stifler affectionately calls him. The changes in their characters make the film very entertaining.
I guess I would have liked to see other cast regulars back for a third time, as they would have made the film even better. Characters like Chris Ozzie' Ostreicher (Chris Klein), Heather (Mena Suvari), Jessica (Natasha Lynne) Vicki (Tara Reid) and Jim's first love, Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) all would have been entertaining to see once again. But I have been told that many of these actors did not want to return for another American pie' sequel.
With the wedding come some new characters for the series. In this film we meet Michelle's family, her Mum Mary (Debra Rush) and Dad Harold (Fred Millard). They are very strange parents, and when they first meet their future son-in-law, it is a totally embarrassing moment for Jim. Also, the scene involving two strippers organised by Stifler, is another hilarious moment in the film, as Mr. and Mrs. Flaherty are totally oblivious to what the girls actually are. We also meet Michelle's gorgeous sister Candice (new comer January Jones). The battle for her affections between Finchy and Stifler are very funny, with what Stifler does to win Candice just amazing.
The screenplay for AP3' was written once again by Adam Hertz. The comedy he wrote for the film was cleverly incorporated especially the opening, the dance scene and the stripper's sequences. The story also has some quite disgusting moments, with what Stifler has to do when he loses the wedding ring, just vulgar. Also seeing Stifler getting on with someone he thought was Cadence' in a closet was also hard for me take. I also believe the wedding scenes could have been written better, as I felt that might have done something totally crazy for it, but alas they did not.
Directing AP3' was Jesse Dylan (son of rock legend Bob Dylan). He continues on the American Pie tradition, and creates some of his own. I love the way that he directed the dance sequence, because it gave the film a touch of class. But as I have said, I wished that the movie had done a lot more with the wedding sequence at the end of the film, with the director being the first person I have to blame.
The problem I have had with all these films is the way that they abuse the great gift of sex. They make sex feel very cheap, unfulfilling and something that has to be won'. The quote that Jim's Dad says to Michelle before the wedding, about making love' is a valid one, one of the few times where love and sex is thought of to be very a sacred' ideal in the series.
Having heard a bit about the film in the Australian media, it was great to see a TV interview with Sean William Scott, which has helped me appreciate how good an actor he really is, who in real life, is nothing like Stifler. I also read that Jason Biggs said nothing he does in these films are embarrassing, considering that Jim has screwed an apple pie and super glued his member to his hand. American Pie 3: American Wedding, will keep the fans entertained for yet another year.
CMRS gives American Pie 3: American Wedding': 3 (Good Film)
In American Pie 3: American wedding, Jim and Michelle are getting married -in a hurry. Jim's grandmother is sick and wants to see Jim walk down the aisle, so they are going for it in two frantic weeks. Stifler plans to be invited, for the bridesmaids, and so he can throw Jim the ultimate bachelor party, with strippers! Finch is all for the hedonistic rituals, but not for letting Stifler steal the maid of honour, Michelle's sexy younger sister, Cadence. But while everybody else sweats and frets, Jim's Dad is cool as ever, getting ready for one of the proudest days of his son's life.
Most of the usual cast are back for a third time. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Allison Hannigan) are very much in love. Jim wants to take the next step which means getting hitched. The opening of the movie shows this ridiculously funny proposal, involving Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) just typical of these films, making Jim look totally crazy, (I am still wondering if salami was used once again for his tackle?) Both Biggs and Hannigan suit each other onscreen, sharing a good chemistry together.
Then when the other members of the gang hear there is to be wedding bells, guys like Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Stifler (Sean William Scott), cannot contain their excitement. While Kevin has a quite unusual, and for me, unsatisfying role in this film, it is Stifler that steals the limelight. Sean William Scott does many things that are very funny, disgusting, slimy and classy, all typical of the Stifler character.
One of the best scenes in the film involves Stifler at a gay bar, up against this huge gay guy. When Stifler is totally embarrassed, he comes back, having a very entertaining dance contest with the gay guy, both being very good on the dance floor. Stifler also continues his battle with Finchy' or s@%tbreak', as Stifler affectionately calls him. The changes in their characters make the film very entertaining.
I guess I would have liked to see other cast regulars back for a third time, as they would have made the film even better. Characters like Chris Ozzie' Ostreicher (Chris Klein), Heather (Mena Suvari), Jessica (Natasha Lynne) Vicki (Tara Reid) and Jim's first love, Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) all would have been entertaining to see once again. But I have been told that many of these actors did not want to return for another American pie' sequel.
With the wedding come some new characters for the series. In this film we meet Michelle's family, her Mum Mary (Debra Rush) and Dad Harold (Fred Millard). They are very strange parents, and when they first meet their future son-in-law, it is a totally embarrassing moment for Jim. Also, the scene involving two strippers organised by Stifler, is another hilarious moment in the film, as Mr. and Mrs. Flaherty are totally oblivious to what the girls actually are. We also meet Michelle's gorgeous sister Candice (new comer January Jones). The battle for her affections between Finchy and Stifler are very funny, with what Stifler does to win Candice just amazing.
The screenplay for AP3' was written once again by Adam Hertz. The comedy he wrote for the film was cleverly incorporated especially the opening, the dance scene and the stripper's sequences. The story also has some quite disgusting moments, with what Stifler has to do when he loses the wedding ring, just vulgar. Also seeing Stifler getting on with someone he thought was Cadence' in a closet was also hard for me take. I also believe the wedding scenes could have been written better, as I felt that might have done something totally crazy for it, but alas they did not.
Directing AP3' was Jesse Dylan (son of rock legend Bob Dylan). He continues on the American Pie tradition, and creates some of his own. I love the way that he directed the dance sequence, because it gave the film a touch of class. But as I have said, I wished that the movie had done a lot more with the wedding sequence at the end of the film, with the director being the first person I have to blame.
The problem I have had with all these films is the way that they abuse the great gift of sex. They make sex feel very cheap, unfulfilling and something that has to be won'. The quote that Jim's Dad says to Michelle before the wedding, about making love' is a valid one, one of the few times where love and sex is thought of to be very a sacred' ideal in the series.
Having heard a bit about the film in the Australian media, it was great to see a TV interview with Sean William Scott, which has helped me appreciate how good an actor he really is, who in real life, is nothing like Stifler. I also read that Jason Biggs said nothing he does in these films are embarrassing, considering that Jim has screwed an apple pie and super glued his member to his hand. American Pie 3: American Wedding, will keep the fans entertained for yet another year.
CMRS gives American Pie 3: American Wedding': 3 (Good Film)