The Build Up to American Reunion

For years the original American Pie series has had a special place in my heart, because even though they weren't well received by critics, they have still managed to secure themselves in modern pop culture (for example, what teenager today doesn't know what the word 'milf' means?). I find the films extremely entertaining and I still laugh every time I watch them. So here's a quick overview of where it all started (I'm mostly going to talk about the original three movies, the ones that were released in the cinema). I am not going to go into depth about film (i.e. cast and story) because it would take forever for me to do that with all seven films. This post does contain very mild spoilers.

Our Journey begins 13 years ago...

American Pie (1999)

This is where it all started, written by Adam Hertz and was a directorial debut for brothers Paul and Chris Weitz. The film followers a group of students in their final year of high school, on a mission to get themselves laid  before they leave. The goal of getting laid at prom being the main goal. Like I said, I'm not going to go in depth with the story, but the film goes on with each of the characters trying their best to achieve their goal whilst inevitably encountering awkward and embarrassing situations. With memorable characters and scenes that are now embedded into the minds of thousands of teenagers, 'American Pie may not have been a critical success, but it was most certainly a box office success. The film took in a gross worldwide revenue pf $235,483,004, $132,922,000 of which was from international tickets. The success of this movie spawned two immediate sequels over the next few years and a series of direct to video releases.

American Pie 2 (2001)

The sequel to the loved 'American Pie' continues the story of the same four friends as they now adjust to life at college, believing that their luck will change now that they are older and more mature. As their summer break comes up they decide to rent a beach house and have a party. Throughout the movie they encounter more hilarious situations, most of which top those of the first movie. For example, the scene when Jim's masturbating and he uses glue instead of lube, is possibly the best scene across the whole franchise! The film got mixed reviews, this time because it lacked the originality of the first movie, which is to be expected with it being a sequel, but it is still the best received film of the series.

American Wedding (2003)

This sequel was the final of the series to make it to the big screen for what would turn out to be 9 years! It ties up the story of Jim and Michelle, going from meeting in the first movie, to dating at the end of the second movie, to finally getting married in this installment. Story wise, this varied the most from the theme of the original movie. The story itself doesn't revolve around the main characters obsessing with getting themselves laid, but they obsess with helping Jim give Michelle the wedding she wants. Their journey takes them from dance offs in a gay bar, to strippers dressed as french maids and police women duck taping someone to a chair. Naturally the gang faces many challenges on the way to organising the perfect wedding, some more ridiculous than others, and for once we even see a little bit of characters development (many will disagree, but I don't think characters development has been strong in any character apart from Jim). One main notable point about this film is the absence of particular characters from the previous two movies, most the absence of   'Oz' who had to be written out due to scheduling conflicts. The other characters were written out because the writers didn't believe that they couldn't make an interesting  enough story that could include such a large cast of characters including the new editions.

Now we make to the stuff that didn't make it to the big screen...

American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005)

This first installment of a new series of American Pie movies follows the characters of Matt Stifler, the younger brother of Steve Stfler from the original series. The story follwers the younger Stifler as he gets himself into trouble and is made to attend band camp, where he plans to reveal all the dark naughty secrets of the campers, but in the process discovers more about himself and becomes more attached to his fellow campers. This is my personal favourite from the spin off series. I don't even know why, I guess it's just because it sticks in my head the most due to a number of memorable scenes (i.e. the scene with the oboe).

American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006) 

This is the second installment of the spin off series and it includes a new cast, including a new Stifler (two new Stiflers), and follows the story of the younger Stifler being given free pass by his girlfriend to go out and explore his sexual needs. Him and his friends journey to visit possibly my favourite Stifer from the spin off, Dwight Stifler, played by Steve Talley. The films is filled with raunchy drinking parties, and the famous naked mile run which the film is named after. It's a funny enough film, not the strongest of the series, but it has some laughs, and each of the main characters goes away with his own awkward sexual encounter, one of which is exceptionally hilarious.

A horrible point to mention is that back in 2007, a 22 year old man called David Reid, from Manchester died when copying the binge drinking game called "last man standing" depicted in the movie.

American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)

This installment follows the story of the young Eric Stfler, now going to college to join his older cousin Dwight, and it follows him and his new friends campaigning to complete a set amount of tasks in order to become 'betas'. Inevitably the house has a rival house called the 'geek' house and the two come to blows at the end in the famous (banned) 'Greek Olympiad'. It is funny, but ridiculous at the same time. I'm really not a fan of this one, it kind of feels like a low point because it just doesn't feel like 'American Pie', they could easily have made it its own film, but instead they slapped a Stifler on it, and released it as part of a well-liked franchise.

American Pie Presents: The Book Of Love (2009)

To date this is the final installment of the American Pie spin off series. With a completely new cast, the film was set 11 years after the events of 'American Pie', the whole film ties in a lot of aspects of the previous films, and in my opinion, is an improvement on its predecessor. It is still not a fantastic film, but it brings back some of those magical elements of the original films and takes it in a new direction. The end of the movie suggests that it was the kick start the series again. So far their is no word on whether or not this series will be continued.

One thing all of the movies have in common, is the appearance of Eugene Levy, better known as Jim's dad Noah Levenstein. He is the main factor that binds all of the movies and has acted as a mentor and councilor to the main characters all the way through.It becomes clear as the movies go on that he isn't the sexually naive father figure that we are introduced to int he first movie back in 1999. 

And finally we are here, the end product of many years anticipation...

American Reunion (2012)

Also known as 'American Pie 4' and 'American Pie: The Reunion', obviously I cannot review the film yet because I won't be seeing it until early next week. So what can we expect? Well we expect some of the former glory of the original movies with the return of the original cast, now much older, but none the wiser. If the films good enough, it may act as a revival of the series, giving the writers a chance to explore new areas involving troubles in the adult life. It could also revive the spin off series, since the final installment leaves it open to many possible story lines.

I really hope 'American Reunion' does justice to the franchise, it is the first of the series to make it to the big screen since 2003. Theoretically it should do really well, because not only will fans of the original films want to go and see it, but it will attract attention from the new generation of teenagers who maybe aren't as attuned to the series as the rest of us.

Well I hope you enjoyed this quick catch up on the 'American Pie' series, it's hard to believe that a film, named after a song released that summer, went on to become something to large and culturally accepted (and on that note, the soundtrack to these movies across the board is amazing! There is even a cameo from Blink 182 in the first movie!). Thank you American Pie, we love you.

Look forward to my next to 'build up' installments where I explore the original 'Spiderman' trilogy and the history of the 'Batman' franchise in preparation for 'The Amazing Spiderman' and 'The Dark Knight Rises'.