American Pie 2 (2001)

Director:

J.B. Rogers

Writers (WGA):

Adam Herz (characters)
David H. Steinberg (story) ...

Release Date:

10 August 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

This Summer It's All About Sticking Together.

Plot:

The continuing bawdy adventures of a group of friends reuniting after their first year of college.

Plot Keywords:

College | Party | Beach | Friend | Beach House

Awards:

7 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Jason Biggs	...	Jim Levenstein
Shannon Elizabeth	...	Nadia
Alyson Hannigan	...	Michelle Flaherty
Chris Klein	...	Oz
Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Kevin Myers
Natasha Lyonne	...	Jessica
Tara Reid	...	Vicky
Seann William Scott	...	Stifler
Mena Suvari	...	Heather
Eddie Kaye Thomas	...	Finch
Chris Owen	...	Chuck Sherman
Eugene Levy	...	Jim's Dad
Molly Cheek	...	Jim's Mom
Denise Faye	...	Danielle
Lisa Arturo	...	Amber

Also Known As:

Secret Disguise (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, crude humor, language and drinking.

Runtime:

108 min | UK:105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:M (TV rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Manitoba) (unrated version) | Malaysia:18PL | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Iceland:12 | Ireland:18 | Israel:16 | Italy:T | Mexico:B15 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #38445) (original rating) | USA:Unrated (unrated video version) | Singapore:R(A) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Grand Haven, Michigan, USA

Company:

LivePlanet

Trivia:

Cameo: [Adam Herz]in the scene with Kevin's brother (Casey Affleck) in the hallway as the two businessman talking to his right.

Goofs:

Continuity: At Stifler's party, when the Jim, Finch, Kevin, and Oz are sitting at the table, they are playing cards. There is a pile of cards in the middle of the table, but when the cops come inside to bust up the party, the camera flashes back to the table and the cards are gone.

Quotes:

Jim: That counted.
Stifler: That totally counted.
Danielle: That's the way to kiss you're mother.
Stifler: [to Finch] DON'T YOU SAY ANYTHING.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Office: Michael's Birthday (#2.19)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

El Cumbanchero

Decent sequel

I saw the movie in theaters and laughed out loud. Now, I rented the DVD. I can't say I got as many laughs as the first time, though, and I started to notice more flaws. At first I thought this movie was better than the original. Now I'm not sure. They both have great redeeming qualities that pretty much balance the scale.

The two films movie at a similar rhythm. In the original, we opened with Jim's Dad walking in on him while masturbating. In the sequel, he walks in on him while he's having sex, only it's taken to the next level with the girlfriend's parents walking in as well. And we have the keg party, with a Steadicam shot following Stiffler around, who yet again gets into a mishap with bodily fluids. And of course, in homage of the famous Nadia scene from the original, we have the guys walking in on two lesbians.

The laughs are still there, and there are some genuinely funny moments. I don't want to give them away, though the previews and some of the other reviewers probably already did.

The cast still got it. Eugene Levy steals the show yet again as Jim's Dad. I do have to say, Stiffler's character got a little too obnoxious at times. It's often funny to hear his foul-mouthed insults, but by the hundredth time you hear him use the word "f**kface" it gets kinda old.

I'm always going to hold the "American Pie" movies several notches above the standard gross-out teen comedies, because they have zest and originality. Not to mention they're done in a professional manner. The gags are as intelligent as they are crude, and delivered with exquisite timing. And to top it off, it's a heartfelt film that is not literally all about getting laid. I thought the original had more heart to it, but the sequel also has its heart in the right place.

The music is great. The soundtrack is full of really cool songs, including "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm. And be sure to check out the unrated DVD special edition. The commentary is cool and--unlike with the first "American Pie" unrated edition--there is some bonus footage worth checking out. The lesbian scene is extended significantly. In the theatrical version, there was only a brief nudity, but you get to see much more in this version.

I'm still not sure if I would consider this movie better than the first, but it is one sequel that lives up to the original--and that's saying a lot!

My score: 7 (out of 10)