Review: American Reunion

They're back and at it again. If you haven't had your fill of over-boozed, over-sexed, scatological fraternological make-you-squirm-in-your-seat humor, the American Pie crew will take care of you. The franchise that began with American Pie, continued with American Pie 2, American Wedding, American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile now returns for a 13th-year American Reunion.

Actually, American Reunion is a worthy comedy, from the writer-director team of Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg who wrote all three Harold and Kumar movies. Not that a film like this could be said to have a moral, but you could say there seems to be an underlying message that "The family who plays together stays together." As series protagonist Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) and wife Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), though happily married, find their sex life waning, they decide to spice things up in one of the most unlikeliest places imaginable: on a trip to their high-school reunion.

This reunion gathers together all the old crew including Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Stifler (Seann William Scott) as well as Vicky (Tara Reid), Heather (Mena Suvari), Stifler's Mom (Jennifer Coolidge), and Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy). Newcomers to the series will enjoy it, but American Reunion is packed with inside jokes that reward fans of the previous films. There are also a few memorable cameos from the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and John Cho. While Stifler gets most of the meaty material, Levy is the most experienced comedic actor, and his scenes are the best in the movie.

In the days leading up to the reunion, Jim and Michelle just want to spend a night together recreating their first time. But Stifler keeps getting the group into wilder, hairier situations. Complicating matters is the girl next door Jim used to babysit, Kara (Ali Cobrin), who is now old enough to act out her childhood fantasies. Jim spends most of the movie trying to get out of sticky situations caused by Kara (or apologizing and trying to explain them). Naturally, by the end everything is wrapped up and ready for a future installment.

American Reunion isn't necessarily as good as its kindred comedies from the 70s and 80s like Porky's or Animal House, though at times it seems to draw more inspiration from John Hughes. It is good for genuine laughs and is the funniest film opening this weekend.