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Cast
Jim (Jason
Biggs)
Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy)
Michelle (Alyson Hannigan)
Oz (Chris Klein)
Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas)
Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas)
Directed
by Paul Weitz
Written
by Adam Herz
Rated
R for strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language, and
drinking all involving teens.
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Running
Time: 110 minutes Distributed by Universal
American Pie is a hilarious and brisk movie. The story revolves
around four horny high school buddies journey to lose their
virginity before they graduate from high school. Jim (Biggs)
is a typical high school guy, whose dad (Levy) always interrupts
him in the midst of his so-called manly pleasures. Kevin (Ian
Nicholas) just can't find it in himself to tell his girlfriend
that he loves her. Oz (Klein) is a jock lacrosse player who
begins to get in touch with his sensitive side. Finally, there
is Finch (Kaye Thomas) who has bad stomach problems and tries
to buy the reputation of someone he is not. All of the guys
interact with many different characters, such as the typical
foul mouth high school punk Stifler, the new pretty foreign
exchange student Nadia, and the memorable geeky band nerd
Michelle (Hannigan). Each of the main characters led the viewers
through a raw and funny tale of high school in the 90's.
This
has been said to be the gross-out movie of the summer, in
which it is. From the beginning to the end, the actions seen
and the crude sexual dialogue is shocking and grotesque, but
very funny. I have heard rumors of American Pie being this
year's There's Something About Mary, it's not. Both films
do have unbelievable and gross scenes, but the two movies
have totally different themes. American Pie is about high
school, something that everyone can relate to in seeing this
film. No one under 17 should see this film, so don't sneak
in underage teens. It is, however, a joy for us adults. Besides
high school, the film does focus on puberty and maturity,
a part of everyone's high school experience. American Pie
evokes memories of other high school films like Fast Times
at Ridgemont High and Porky's, but it is still a movie that's
in a league of it's own.
The acting
in American Pie is far better than by any other young actors
I have seen recently in films. Some reminders of weak young
actors are Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Wing Commander, She's All
That) and James Van der Beek (Varsity Blues). In which She's
All That and Varsity Blues were hits, and not bad films in
general, but both had weak acting. In American Pie all the
performances were believable, not like Van der Beek's weak
country accent and acting in Varsity Blues. All four of the
main actors were admirable. Jason Biggs (Jim) is a new comer
that I believe will blossom in Hollywood. Thomas Ian Nicholas
(Kevin), who was in Rookie of the Year a few years back, shows
flexibility and maturity by moving from childhood in Rookie
of the Year to teenager in American Pie. Eddie Kaye Thomas
(Finch) seems like he will be a good character driven actor
in the future. The spotlight falls on Chris Klein (Oz), who
was seen earlier this summer in the dark comedy Election.
Klein shows great range in American Pie, by going from muscle-bound
punk to a caring and understanding human being.
Paul
Weitz and Adam Herz, the creators of American Pie, also wrote
last year's Antz if you can believe that. It also does reflect
the range of imaginative storytelling these two writers have.
American
Pie is a truly fun film to watch, but I believe it is focused
on a distinct audience of 17-30 year olds, but not so much
for parents because the society has changed so much that they
will probably find it offensive.
Report
Card Grade: B 07/13/99
Beastman's
Movie Reviews
Joseph C Tucker
Copyright, 2000 Joseph C. Tucker, reprinted with kind permission.
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