*** Official "AMERICAN PIE 2" Review Thread (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

This thread is now the Official Review Thread for "American Pie 2". Please post all HTF member reviews in this thread. Any other comments, links to other reviews, or discussion items will be deleted from this thread without warning! If you need to discuss those type of issues, I have designated an Official Discussion Thread which can be found at this link .
Again, without warning, I will delete all posts that are not a HTF member review!
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Crawdaddy
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[Edited last by Robert Crawford on August 11, 2001 at 10:11 AM]

 

[Eric Stuckey]

I loved it. The wife and I thought it was better then the first one.Stickler really does still the movie ,With a summer ( so far ) full of crap movies ( i.e Tomb Raider, Planet of the Apes, 3000 miles to gracland to name a few) , This is one of the best.

 

[Kami]

The movie was hilarious!!! It was right up there with the original. Even the more "serious" scenes were generally funny. Pretty much everyone returns...sherminator, the MILF boys, and all the main characters. It has lots of classic memorable scenes just like the original Jim, Stiffler, and Michelle steal most of the movie. A lot of the other characters seem like they're just in there for a cameo. If you enjoyed the first, go see AP2 for more of the same type of sick & twisted humor.

I have to give the original movie the edge, but AP2 is very close.

(out of 4)
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-Adam
(a.k.a. kami)
My budding DVD collection

 

[Matt Stone]

I don't want to piss anyone off, because everyone seemed to like it...that saw it, but I for one, didn't. I felt that it tried to follow the same formulaic plot of Pie 1, but couldn't even pull that off correctly. The movie was cought between two types of films: a realistic teen film, and a teen sex romp...you can be one or the other, but not both. Forced sentimentality was thrown in there every now and again, and just held up what there was of a story...which wasn't much. The screenplay lacked a major plot connecting all of the subplots together. In American Pie, the main plot was...boys want to get laid, boys try to get laid, boys lose hope, boys get laid. It was a fine, straight-forward plot...and it threw in good subplots....Jim and Nadia, Oz and Heather, Kevin and Vickie...etc, but AmPie2 really just had Jim and Michelle as the main story, and all of the others seemed to be cameo rolls. I bet you can't count up 5 minutes of screen time for Klien, Elizibeth, Reid, ...and a few others.
To me, this movie was just a perputal happy ending with no real rising action, climax, or falling action. I can see the argument that the film was about friends moving on, and growing together, but as I said, if the film is trying to be a realistic teen film, then it probably shouldn't have : Spoiler:the obligitory lesbian scene, because frankly, that, and a lot of other stuff doesn't happen in real life.
That being said, there were parts of the film that I laughed at, but not nearly as hard as in the first. The gags were generally along the same line, and hell...most of them fell within the same time frame that the originals did, and that's fine...but it doesn't make ...as good... of a film. Personally I thought that Road Trip worked as a better sequal to AmPie. I liked the idea of actually being in college (since I recently went through my first year of college...), and I was kinda like...what the crap, when I saw the "See you next year" banner hanging up at the beginning of the movie.
Oh well...can't please everybody.
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[Patrick Sun]

If you liked the first installment, I think you'll enjoy AP2. I was laughing at all the grotesque jokes (especially at Stifler's expense). Stifler is totally the life of the party, and without him, the AP franchise would not exist. He's the catalyst. There are some parts that are funny, but suffer from SNL skit disease (they run too long). But I enjoyed it enough to recommend to anyone who like the 1st one.
I give it 3 stars or a grade of B.
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PatCave; HT Pix; Gear; DIY Mains; DIY CC; Sunosub I + II + III; DVDs; Link Removed

 

[DanR]

I thought this was just as good as the first movie. I totally agree with other people who are saying that Stifler steals the show. The part where Jim realizes who his true love is and also the "touching" scene with his father in the car after the glue incident make this movie more than just joke after joke of gross out humor.
My only complaint, and it is very minor, is the absolutely distracting, terrible hair job on Shannon Elizabeth. What the hell happened there? Were those different color hair extensions or something? I found it so distracting, and couldn't stop looking at it because it looked so un-natural. Combine that with the terrible accent, and they should have just cut the role, especially if she didn't take her shirt off (which is what every guy in the theater wanted to see from the role anyway). Why have Nadia if she doesn't get naked with Jim?
Regards,
Dan

 

[Scott Weinberg]

My Review

out of 5
Crocodile Dundee 3. The Mummy 2. Dr. Dolittle 2. Scary Movie 2. Jurassic Park 3. Rush Hour 2. This is the sequel parade that moviegoers have been treated to for the first 6 months of the year. Most of them stink, mainly because these are films whose existence can be attributed solely to one thing, and that thing is cash. The latest entry in the parade is American Pie 2, and while this one certainly also reeks of 'striking while the iron is hot', this movie earns praise while the others do not for one reason: It's damn funny.
If ever there were a phylum of cinema that is completely immune to anything the critics might have to say, it's the sequel. You could shout from the rooftops what a transparent sham a movie like Rush Hour 2 is and it won't make a lick of difference. If modern moviegoers have made one thing abundantly clear, it's that they love leftovers. Screenplays comprised entirely of predictable one-liners from last year's blockbusters regularly earn $100 million at the box office, further proving that film producers will never go hungry by underestimating their audience's lust for "the same old thing".
Which is why a sequel like American Pie 2 is such a pleasant surprise. Since there's absolutely NO WAY this movie could flop, it seems only logical that the filmmakers don't have to try as hard. But here's a movie that simply delivers the raunchy goods and does it in a sunny, infectious style. If you were a fan of the original Pie, odds are that you'll be leaving the theater with a smile on your face after watching the sequel.
The plot (if I may be so kind) is simply a framework on which to hang the sexual dalliances of our buddies from the first flick. Literally everyone is back for the second go-round, and that's a factor that helps quite a bit. Throwing Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott in Hawaii with a host of new actors would have been the false sort of sequelizing referred to above.
While it's an asset to the film that the whole crew is back, the large amount of characters seem to have left screenwriter Adam Herz at a bit of a loss; several of the characters (the girls mainly) are left with very little to do, and you're left wondering how many days were necessary to shoot the scenes involving Mena Suvari and Tara Reid. (I'm guessing two.) But when you're making a slapsticky sex comedy, it's probably pretty tough to dress it up as an even-keeled ensemble piece.
Simply put - The whole horny crew gets back together after their first year of college, and they decide to rent a beach house for the summer. That's pretty much it. Hijinks ensue. Yes, there are a few dangling plot threads left over from the first film, but those are perhaps the weakest part of the entire movie. Particularly maudlin is the reconciliation of Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Vicky (Reid). I appreciate the attempt of a semi-realistic subplot; that doesn't mean it has to be so dull.
More so than in the original, the "guys" are the main show. Jason Biggs returns as the sexually befuddled Jim, and the actor shows an uncanny knack for playing "naked and humiliated" to comic perfection. Chris Klein is back as Oz, and while he doesn't really have a lot to do, he's sweet-natured and dopey - just one of the guys. Stealing every single frame of celluloid that he appears in is Seann William Scott as the supremely raunchy Steve Stifler. This character is fast becoming a cinematic cult icon along the lines of Jay & Silent Bob, and here's why: He's so goddam funny. Scott knows how to deliver a punch line with impeccably profane timing, and has the mugging skills of a comedian twice his age. Although this young actor has chosen some pretty weak movies to showcase his skills in, I'm still a big fan. Once again, comedy vet Eugene Levy is on hand (as Jim's eternally understanding Dad) to offer some big laughs as well.
I've saved an entire paragraph for Shannon Elizabeth. Yes, the girl with the wretched accent and the mammoth breasts. Simply put, I loathe this actress. If there were ever a performer whose career existed solely due to mammary glands, Shannon's the one. I realize she's some pre-pubescent pin-up dream girl, but she manages to drag the movie to a screeching, whimpering halt whenever she appears onscreen. Elizabeth recently stated in an interview that she wouldn't be doing any more nude scenes in films because she wants to be taken seriously as an actress. After seeing her emoting skills in this movie, I give her 5 months before she's got 11 straight-to-video soft-core porno movies gracing the local video store shelves.
As I stated earlier, this is a movie that is simply critic-proof. How much you will like it depends on your feelings toward the original film or just raunchy sex humor in general. Is this movie a somewhat transparent echo of the surprisingly profitable original? Well, sure it is. But regardless of the number 2 in the title, this is a damn funny movie and one of the best sequels to show its face in quite some time.
Just the performances of Biggs, Scott and band-camp enthusiast Alyson Hanagan alone make this one worth your weekly movie allowance. Despite the few inevitable "Part 2" potholes, this one is even more of a surprise: It's a sequel that works.
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Scott
TheAngryJew's Movie Reviews at HBS.com
AOL IM: TheAngryJew29

 

[Marshall Alsup]

Wow, I finally saw a movie this summer that didn't suck. I've seen most of the big budget movies so far this summer (thats all we get around here) and have been dissapointed by all the crap so far, but American Pie 2 was like a breath of fresh air.
Last night I went to see AP2 and laughed my ass off several times. I thought this movie was even funnier than the first one! I do agree with other reviewers however, that if you didn't like the first one, you wont like this. But, if your not easily offended by some sex humor, check this flick out.
I hope Jay and Silent Bob is just as good so I can say there were 2 good movies this summer instead of only one.
SCORE: 9/10
Later,
Marshall

 

[Chuck C]

I've been thinking about this move all day, and I love it do death...Stifler is grea, but Jim is the man. After seeing AP1 5 times at the theater, I may have to start another run with the sequel. I'm definitely gonna see it again tomorrow.
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Chuck
Chuckster's HT Equipment List

 

[Michael*K]

Not as funny as the first film BUT...Eugene Levy still rocks! The guy's hilarious!

out of four.
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--Mike
Amazon Hot 100 DVD's

 

[LarryDavenport]

For the most part I liked it but I agree that many of the actors seemed to be there just for cameos (Chris Klein, Mina Suvari, & Mollie Cheek were barely in it). I was expecting more of a story line for Klein/Suvari.
Once again Jason Biggs, Allison Hannigan, and the guy who plays Stifler rocked!
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If Jayson Biggs is the next Dustin Hoffman, Chris Klein is the new Troy Donahue. - ljd
[Edited last by LarryDavenport on August 15, 2001 at 05:58 PM]

 

[Rob Willey]

I was a little worried at first that this movie was going to follow exactly in the footsteps of the first like Danny at the end of The Shining, including Kevin's call to his wiser older brother played by Casey Affleck.
But after a slow start, this one got going and had some real belly laughs. It stands alone as a genuinely funny movie. I especially liked the scene with "the lesbians."

Like most, I wish they had done more with some of the characters, especially the girls. Natasha Lyonne is such a good actor, it's a shame they don't give her more to do.
Recommended.
Rob
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"That suits me down to the ground."

 

[JohnS]

I aslo thought that this was just as good as the first one.
I thought it was funnier and little bit more gross. lIke everyone else, Stifler was the movie, right along there with Jim's dad. But I did feel, overall that the first one is better.
This movie surely didn't disappoint me. Right along with Rush Hour 2, this August is turning out to be fairly decent.
American Pie 2=B+
American Pie=A-
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[Brian_J]

This was just average in my opinion. I loved the first one and believe its a modern classic but while this one had its funny moments it also had way to many uncomfortable moments where the jokes fell flat.
Brian
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Zed's Dead Baby...

 

[Nate Anderson]

I for one loved the second one as much as the first. Some really great scenes, especially the scenes between Jim and Michelle and the lesbian scene.
I also love that Finch spent the entire movie obsessed with Stifler's Mom.
Did anyone else feel happy for Finch when Stifler's Mom finally showed up?
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"What if he honks in the car?"
"I'm giving you a no honk guaruntee."

 

[Tino]

To be fair, let me preface this review by stating that I thought the original American Pie was one of the worst comedies I have ever seen. Devoid of any intelligence, wit, humor or redeeming qualities of any kind.
So take this for what you will.
That said, the first one is Citizen Kane compared to American Pie 2. I was dragged to see this by a friend, so I obviously had disposition to disliking it already. However, I was not prepared for how monumentally unfunny this film was. It is by far the worst "comedy" I have seen in years and one of the worst films ever made.
I did not laugh ONCE at the sophomoric hijinx of these completely unappealing characters. It really felt as though everyone was there to collect a paycheck and no effort was made to come up with a story or humor in any way. It was a complete and utter mess from start to finish. One unfunny situation after another. It was amazing how BAD this "film" was.
I realize that comedy is subjective, but is this really the future of comedy? A very sad state of affairs if it is.
I give it ZERO STARS0

and that is being generous! UGH!
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Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.

 

[John Thomas]

American Pie 2: 6/10 .
After taking in the first scene, I thought "Man, that was better in the commercial..". That scene set the tone for the rest of the movie as scene after scene just felt a bit mechanical. There were times when the movie showed promise as being one of those 'friend' flicks which was interrupted by Stifler (Seann William Scott) and his over-the-top antics.
Jim (Jason Biggs) being the focal point of the movie, had great scenes, particularly the trombone session and did well with what he had. Eugene Levy, a personal favorite, was underused as Jim's dad but also made the most of what he had to work with. What could've been trimmed down to make more time for them was the absolutely worthless Oz-Heather (Chris Klein/Mena Suvari) relationship. It really serves no purpose other than to keep these two from the original movie involved in "the ol' gang's" ways.
I gave the movie a 6; this translates to "A good, fun film but I more than likely wouldn't see it again". If anything, I felt that some more scenes (about 30 mins worth) would've made this a much, much better film if used for cohesiveness (and a few more laughs while we're at it ) Well worth going to see with a few friends at the matinee.
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My Top 10 of 2000 My Top 10 of 2001

 

[Tom Meyer]

I saw it last night and would give it

The only times I laughed out of pure hilarity were due to Stifler & Alyson Hannigan. In my opinion, they should have included her more. How can you beat lines like:
Spoiler:
"I just stuck a trumpet up your ass"
or
"No more fucking me in the ass!"

then again, I have a thing for redheads so she could read the phonebook & I'd dig it.