Movie Review

American Wedding

Despite having good intentions, American Wedding falls somewhat behind.

Screenwriter Adam Herz is evidently aware that without the legendary character Stifler (Seann William Scott) acting obnoxious for an hour and a half, this second sequel would be out of air. That?s not to say I didn?t laugh on numerous occasions, but I came out disappointed at the potential that could?ve been had. Being an avid fan of the franchise, American Wedding loses some of the sweetness of the first two by abusing the powers of R-rated possibilities.
One of my biggest problems with this installment was Stifler; I really enjoyed the persona previously, but here Herz has handed him a role that takes the vulgarity level from before and multiplies it. I can take foul language, but here the character spews it like a language of its own without the good-natured spark we tend to expect. Instead of being an absolute amusement, the character is an absolute asshole; and for the character I?m expected to root for, it?s challenging.

Because many of the cast members from the first two editions opted out of Wedding, we?re left with a limited number of faces to occupy screen time. In result, when Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are not on screen, we?re left with the verbal war between Stifler and everyone else; it?s a little amusing, but it only goes so far.

When I first heard that the filmmakers were dropping many of the familiar faces, I was a little ticked off and wished those actors would return. After seeing the final results, this franchise really does feel like it?s getting old; what can these characters do that they haven?t already done? In that regard, I do hold respect for the souls who opted out ? even with them, I?m not sure how much fuel this sequel could?ve burned.

In this edition of American Pie, the clan finds themselves in a bundle of excitement as Jim has popped the big question to Michelle, anxiously waiting for what should be the most important day of his life. Only thing is, at this point Stifler has not been invited to any of their get together parties or ceremonies, nor is he aware of their nuptials. This makes him angry and upset, forcing him to crash the party where Jim is to meet Alyson?s parents for the very first time.

Predictably, all hell breaks lose at Stifler?s run-in; the first moment we see the character on screen, there is without a doubt a level of anticipation to see what unfolds, but it?s the eventual execution of the scene that brings the experience down. It?s hard not to laugh at some of his behavior throughout the movie, but really, this guy is like that one person you don?t want around for good, solid reasons.

Much more than the first two films, American Wedding runs on a nothing plot; Pie 1 and 2 didn?t have much of a runway, but made use of their utensils with an ensemble cast. With Wedding, we?re running thin on a limited number of characters, restricting the amount of depth to the story; if we want to have a good time, it?s likely going to be from Stifler and only Stifler.

Here, subplots focus around the persona?s craving for a bachelor party, along with the fight between he and Finch to win over Michelle?s own sister, Cadence. Though we do have Thomas Ian Nicholas as Kevin, he might as well not even be here as his presence is utterly pointless; Chris Klein, who played Oz in the other editions, is not here, nor is the character ever mentioned which is a little awkward. And with most of the attention being on Stifler, the story doesn?t allow each character to have moments like Pie 1 and 2 allowed; it?s Stifler?s movie, and without him there?d really be no movie.

American Wedding is also slightly hurt by the new presence of director Jesse Dylan, who has previously worked on How High. Though director J.B. Rogers from American Pie 2 was not an excellent contender, Rogers held a better grasp of tone and editing than Dylan, as Wedding is rather tacky and uneven; the film also lacks the intelligence that the Weitz brothers (from the first installment) brought to the table.

What this wedding really needed was a writer/director who grasped the comedy genre well. If not the Weitz brothers, even Road Trip and Old School?s Todd Phillips would?ve been an intriguing choice (since this flick is more of a college comedy at this stage). It?s hard to dismiss American Pie writer Adam Herz from the third edition of his franchise, but even his unsure nature of where the stories can go after American Pie 2 shows with American Wedding. I could say that they could?ve dropped the entire idea altogether, but I did indeed want another big comedy to flock to this summer besides Bruce Almighty.

Though I had some disagreements with the movie, there is fun to be had, but let me warn you ? without an audience, this movie is prone to be a little uneventful. With good comedies, a packed crowd is generally mandatory for a great theater experience; but even without an audience the material should be funny on its own ? audience reactions should only give the experience an extra spark.

With American Wedding, I?m not quite sure how much I would?ve really laughed if there were only fifteen people in the crowd; with some gags, the enthusiasm in the room was contagious; with others, I gave in on my own will. Some of Stifler?s motives worked on me while others had me groaning. One instance involving a piece of "chocolate" reminded me of Tomcats, which was not a pleasant flashback; the gag did nothing but create huge foul reactions, whereas the previous installments have had heart with the sight gags ? this was simply being vulgar without a point.

When it comes down to movies like American Wedding, you attend the show to have a good time and to hopefully get some good laughs poured out of you (with the long-shot ambition of being on the floor, in tears from laughter). The American Pie sequel delivers with some good moments, and yes, most of them are revolving around Stifler, but the stench of recycled material is definitely picking up. I was never on the floor laughing, but did give in to many chuckles and a few laugh-out-loud moments.

In my eyes, there are no classic scenes to remember, as the formula is rather rehashed in its sexual debacles and embarrassment styles, with even the effort of a bachelor party showing slight fatigue in its approach; it picks up some entertainment, but it?s stuff we?ve all seen before. I came out of American Wedding having had some humor buds played with, but let down a bit at the creative-less approach of the now wearing-out trilogy.

It?s unknown whether this truly is the climax of the franchise, but after taking this trip I?m not sure I?ll be anticipating the next adventure too heavily if it does fall into place. The original American Pie was a surprise for being a well thought out teen escapade with heart, laughs, and characters to identify with.

Part two followed with not quite as much heart, but delivered with some strong moments of hilarity and an ensemble of delightful characters (with part one probably being my favorite of them all). And now with American Wedding, this is what you might call entertaining for its running time, but instantly forgettable the next day.

Lee's Grade: B-
Ranked #39 of 132 between Head of State (#38) and Elephant (#40) for 2003 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%