American Pie Trilogy

American Pie 1

Introduction

American Pie, the first of a great trilogy which provides the basis for all teen movies since the start of this millennium, none has lived up to this. The film is an American teen film released in 1999 and directed by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz. The film is also produced by Chris Weitz but with Chris More.

Cast

Jason Biggs - Jim
Thomas Ian Nicholas - Kevin
Chris Klein - Oz
Eddie Kaye Thomas - Finch
Seann William Scott - Stiffler
Shannon Elizabeth - Nadia
Alyson Hannigan - Michele
Eugene Levy - Jims Dad
Tara Reid - Vicky

Budget = $11 million or £5.7 million

Certificate

UK - 15
Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Plot

American Pie follows the stories of four young guys (Jim, Kevin, Finch & Oz) graduating from high school and trying to reach their holy grail (losing their virginity).

The four sign a pact the morning after a disastrous party hosted by Steve Stiffler (a cocky classmate who boasts about his and his family's notorious success with women). Each guy has their own unique method of setting about achieving the task, Get laid before college:

Jim has had no success with women previously, and is constantly embarrassed by his Dad's passion for explaining sexual education however obvious it is. Jim has the first real opportunity "to score" in the film when a beautiful Czechoslovakian girl (Nadia) wants some help with History tutoring and Jim agrees to give her a lesson. The story evolves and turns out the girl wants to get changed in Jim's room before the lesson…… no problem but Jim decides (with the help of his friends) to broadcast her naked over the internet. After visiting a friend's house to see the internet, Jim returns to find Nadia naked on his bed "enjoying" his porn magazines. Nadia is at first angry that Jim has intruded on her, but then decides she wants him to get naked to join in the fun. Without ruining the best bit of the film; Jim embarrasses himself sufficiently in front of not just Nadia, but also his friends watching on the internet & every member of his year (who he accidently sent the email containing the link too). Jim decides he is useless at talking to women and so seeks the help of Michele, a self confessed Band Geek.

Oz, a sports fanatic decides against the wishes of his friends and most notably Stiffler to join the jazz choir as a way of meeting women. This proves fruitful as he manages to get a prom date with one of the girls after only a couple of sessions. However after one lacrosse game she spots him making fun of her with his friends as cancels the date. Oz decides to dedicate more of his time to singing and less to sports in a bid to win her back.

Finch a cleaver student with elaborate tendencies, such as not using school bathrooms and an unhealthy fantasy of Stiffler's mum. He pays Jessica, (best friend of Vicky) $200 to spread rumours about him amongst the females in his year. This does prove very successful with girls questioning his availability for the prom, but a not too happy Stiffler quickly puts an end to it.

Finally Kevin, his task is different to the others because he has a long term girlfriend (Vicky), but she won't have sex with him unless the time is perfect. Kevin keeps trying to entice Vicky into bed with him but she keeps declining and growing frustrated with his attitude being "it's all about sex." Kevin realizes that he will lose Vicky unless he finds ways too pleasure her which is exactly why he borrows an alumni collection of sex tips from the library.

All four boys and their methods culminate at the end of year prom, and each is determined not to fail their side of the bargain.

Soundtrack

Third Eye Blind - New Girl
Tonic - You Wanted More
Blink-182 - Mutt
Sugar Ray - Glory
Super TransAtlantic - Super down
Dishwalla - Find Your Way Back Home
Bic Runga - Good Morning Baby
Shades Apart - Stranger by the Day
Bachelor Number One - Summertime
Goldfinger - Vintage Queen
Bic Runga - Sway
Loose Nuts - Wishen
The Atomic Fireballs - Man with the Hex

This film has a brilliant soundtrack and the star names that you can see above add another dimension to the film. My favourite track here is Mutt by Blink 182 (who also appear as a cameo in the movie). The genre of all these songs is American light lyrical indie rock.

Analysis
One of my favourite films ever, there are traces of this piece of brilliance stretching far afield and will do in decades to come. This has to be the original, classic teen movie but nothing (outside of the American Pie series) has set off from where this film left off. This is a genuinely funny film, and whilst I have been hyper critical of some modern comedy films (See Superbad review) this film combines the perfect emulsion of all comic humour, be it slapstick, ironic, sarcastic and stupid.

The other elements of this film are also of the highest quality, a seemingly simple plot allows really detailed character emotional layers to be revealed. The acting is very good and it is obvious that they loved the filming. The music is outstanding as just mentioned.

The culmination of all these things combines to form "The best comedy I have ever seen."

Quotes

Here's an idea: why don't you guys locate your dicks, remove the shrink wrap, and fucking use them!

I have to admit, you know, I did the fair bit of [hesitates] masturbating when I was a little younger. I used to call it stroking the salami, yeah, you know, pounding the old pud. [pause] I never did it with baked goods, but you know your uncle Mort, he pets the one-eyed snake 5-6 times a day.

I don't want any of you boys thinking that you're gonna score. You don't score, until you score!

Running Time

96 minutes

Ratings

75% on Rotten Tomatoes

American Pie 2

Introduction

American Pie 2, the second this great trilogy holds the same cast as before and same staff. It is released in 2001.

Cast

Jason Biggs - Jim
Thomas Ian Nicholas - Kevin
Chris Klein - Oz
Eddie Kaye Thomas - Finch
Seann William Scott - Stiffler
Shannon Elizabeth - Nadia
Alyson Hannigan - Michele
Eugene Levy - Jims Dad
Tara Reid - Vicky
Chris Owen - Sherman

Budget = $30 million or £16.4 million

Certificate

UK - 15
Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Plot

This film starts where the last one left off and hits the ground running. A party is in its midst and one ends one a hilarious scene that I will not spoil for you.

The four guys (Jim, Kevin, OZ & Finch) are having a boring summer before Kevin suggests that they copy what his brother did, rent a beach house and wait for the girls to come rolling in. There is only one problem; they have to take Stiffler (Gods gift to man and Finches Nemesis) to be able to partly bankroll the trip.

Jim is seeing Michele to help him with his sexual health in preparation for the visit of Nadia, later in the summer. This involves numerous risqué trips to a band camp where Michele is based and interesting practical's with a trumpet and flute (don't ask!). Being with Michele makes Jim seriously question himself about who he would rather be with.

OZ is missing his girlfriend who is in Spain on holiday; he tries phoning her on numerous attempts and even engages in phone sex until he realizes that Stiffler has been listening in the whole time.

Kevin has never got over Vicky, and whilst she has been able to go on and have other relationships he hasn't.

Finch has expanded his eccentric side and developed an unhealthy addiction to Stiffler's mum. Stiffler becomes aware of this and serious repercussions evolve.

The five guys work through the summer and have various interesting run-ins including; two lesbians and mistaking superglue for lubricant. The film climaxes on the final party where everyone is present, 4 of the five hook up with someone, leaving one upset and dejected.

Soundtrack

Blink-182 - "Everytime I Look For You"
Green Day - "Scumbag"
Left Front Tire - "Bring You Down"
American Hi-Fi - "Vertigo"
Uncle Kracker - "Split This Room in Half"
3 Doors Down - "Be Like That" (American Pie 2 Edit)
Alien Ant Farm - "Good (For a Woman)"
Angela Ammons - "Always Getting over You"
Jettingham - "Cheating"
Flying Blind - "Smokescreen"
Fenix*TX - "Phoebe Cates"
The Exit - "Susan"
Sum 41 - "Fat Lip"
Lucia - "I Will"
Oleander - "Halo"

These are the songs on the official soundtrack but my favourite is heavily featured in the film but for some reason not featured on the soundtrack and this song is "In too deep" by Sum 41. The soundtrack is of an exceptional quality, & like in the previous film it is mainly American indie/alternative rock. The main artists are Sum 41, Green Day & The Offspring.

Analysis

It is rare that we have a sequel that lives up to the potential of the original and this film is the exception. There are so many funny moments saturated into this film, it is a must see for all fans of modern comedy films, but too be honest comedy traditionalists & people who prefer irony may not enjoy this as much.

This film is a roller coaster and goes through many different phases silly, stupid, cringe worthy and just hilariously funny. But that is why I love it.

The acting in this film is fantastic and passion they exert on this film is contagious. The soundtrack is great and for the first time ever I am tempted to buy a movie soundtrack. The plot is very similar to the first film and this is what the top critics have thrived upon when they rated it 38% on rotten tomatoes. But I love it regardless of what they tell me to think.

Quotes

Jim. Can't you keep your shirt on? You're scaring the chicks away.

My brother said by the end of the summer I'll get the big picture. And I see it. No matter what, times change, things are different. But the problem is, I don't want them to be.

I kind of super-glued myself to... uh... myself.

When a girl tells you how many guys she's slept with, multiply it by three and that's the real number. Didn't you fu#*!rs learn anything in college?

Running Time

108 minutes

Ratings

52% on Rotten Tomatoes

American Pie 3

Introduction

American Pie 3, known also as American Wedding is completion of a great trilogy which provides the basis for all teen movies since the start of this millennium. The film is an American teen film released in 2003 and directed by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz. The film is also produced by Chris Weitz but with Chris More.

Cast

Jason Biggs - Jim
Alyson Hannigan - Michele
Eugene Levy - Jims Dad
Seann William Scott - Stiffler
Eddie Kaye Thomas - Finch
Thomas Ian Nicholas - Kevin
January Jones - Cadence Flaherty
Molly Cheek - Jim's Mom
Deborah Rush - Mary Flaherty
Fred Willard - Harold Flaherty

Budget = $55 million or £27.6 million

Certificate

UK - 15
Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Plot

This film luckily is different from the last two because it follows the Wedding of Jim to Michele and the inevitable roller coaster ride involved.

The film starts & the comedy begins. Jim and Michele are in a restaurant engaging in an undercover sexual act before Jim's Dad enters asks Jim why he hasn't engaged yet and to the embarrassment of everybody at the restaurant removes the tablecloth to reveal Michele. Jim turns the situation around by proposing their and then.

Jim and his family set about organizing the wedding he firsts meets Michele's parents at a formal party, he is seen to be caught in an embarrassing position with a dog and Steve Stiffler.

Stiffler has been excluded from the Wedding invitations list by Jim and Michele because of his impoliteness and immaturity. However he embarks on a personal crusade to get invited.

Stiffler and Finch go head to head to get with Michele's sister Cadence, but Stiffler tries his luck with an intellectual approach where as Finch tries the bad boy tack. This is an ongoing feature in the film and causes Stiffler no end of trouble at the end of the film.

Mean while there are numerous hilarious scenarios which arise from the upcoming wedding such as; the wedding cake getting infected after a shaving accident, a dance off for pride, a badly timed bachelor party, and some interesting tasting chocolate truffles. Oh yes, if you thought all the best scenes were in the first two films you are wrong.

Soundtrack

1. Times Like These - Foo Fighters
2. Anthem - Good Charlotte
3. Forget Everything - New Found Glory
4. The Hell Song - Sum 41
5. Swing Swing - The All-American Rejects
6. I Don't Give - Avril Lavigne
7. Laid - Matt Nathanson
8. The Art Of Losing - American Hi-Fi
9. Fever For The Flava - Hot Action Cop
10. Give Up The Grudge - GOB
11. Bouncing Off The Walls - Sugarcult
12. Come Back Around - Feeder
13. Any Other Girl - NU
14. Beloved - The Working Title
15. Calling You - Blue October
16. Honey & The Moon - Joseph Arthur
17. Into The Mystic - The Wallflowers

Like in the previous two films the soundtrack here is superb. Times Like this is a huge tune for the film and they stick with the same Indie/Alternative rock genre. I really did not think that they could improve the soundtrack from the previous film but it seems they have done the impossible with even more star tracks than I thought was possible for a film.

Analysis

The tricky third movie; for those who though the second was too similar to the first and only survived because of the hysteria involved with the first this was a breath of fresh air. The screen writers took their time too develop an individually different script (unlike in the second where they more or less copied the first) and it shows.
The actors retain the same contagious humour but some of the jokes and gags are too laboured for my personal taste and too cheesy without the variation seen in previous too.

I liked this film, but too me it is missing something & I personally think it isn't enough layers in the old characters missing (e.g. OZ, Nadia, Vicky, Sherman) and too many new people introduced.

Quotes

Alright, Stifler. Um, this... this is a little, uh, difficult to explain. Look, you're... you're okay. You're okay. I... I... I mean, uh... I mean, I like you.

Love isn't just a feeling. It's shaving your balls.

My dick looks like a corn dog and I've got cake all over my balls.

Wow, Steve Stifler just gave a rose to a girl and meant it. It's like, monkeys learning to use tools for the first time.

You hooked up with one other girl for what, ten seconds and you passed up sex with Nadia, fucking stupid. You're like a blind man picking out his favorite porno.

Love life, get paid, then get laid. That is the basic philosophy of... The Finch-meister!

Running Time

96 minutes

Ratings

57 % on Rotten Tomatoes

~~~~~Overall Analysis of the Trilogy~~~~~~

OK this is possibly the greatest comedy trilogy ever, possibly the best trilogy since the original Star Wars in my opinion (please don't tell me that anybody prefers Lord of the Rings or Matrix collections!!!).

Slight criticisms for this trilogy include; big plot similarities in first two films, a revamp in the cast for the third film, and humor and comedy that only really appeals to a niche age group, although I have found loads of exceptions including my parents!!!

There is so much to laugh about here & I have honestly found nothing close to any of these three at making me laugh.

I highly recommend you check these films out.


Thanks for reading!!! Please leave a comment and rate & I will return the favour.

P.s. Please check out my Ciao Café Topic of the month review.