The Dark Klein Returns

The original American Pie movies were always a winning mix of warm, good natured teen comedy drama and crude, low brow humour. After a misguided detour into Direct To DVD territory the main cast have returned to the nest with American Reunion, the first ‘proper’ Pie movie since 2003’s Wedding chapter. This allows for some nostalgic riffing on ancient franchise in-jokes and gags as well as exploring where the characters are now in their lives and how they still relate to each other.

The cast are still chaming and have lost little of their appeal although it’s more than apparent that Tara Reid has been sidelined some what (understandable for an air-headed crack addict, right?) and that Chris Lein is, and always will be, a terrible, terrible actor. There’s some strong, well-defined comedic set-pieces although the laugh rate is a little more sporadic this time out. Eugene Levy an Seann William Scott still have the masterful ability to steal any scene they’re in and it’s those two that provide the biggest laughs with their awkward single parent and good-natured douche-bag routine respectively. Still, this might be a good place to let the class of ‘99 to live their lives in peace.