Starring: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Chris Klein, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy
Directed by: J. B. Rogers

American Pie 2 is a worthy sequel to the original.

While it may not be as great as the first, nor as original, AP2 still packs many belly laughs into its runtime. This time around, Jim (Biggs), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Oz (Klein) and Stifler (Scott) are back from their first year at college. They are all ready to party the summer away, but Stifler's party house is busted by the cops. So instead, the guys rent a summer cottage where they plan a huge get-together. That's basically the entire plot. The first movie had a destination, story wise. Everything converged on prom night. That's where their pact with each other would make it or break it. This time, there really is no point. It just meanders about, showing us the various misadventures of the guys. I suppose one could argue that Jim's anticipation for Nadia's (Elizabeth) arrival is the only real focal point, but that's really more of a subplot. Don't get me wrong, however. The high jinks that the guys get into are hilarious. I was laughing too loud for some people's tastes. There are some long stretches of dullness, though, as well as some missed punch lines, but nothing that the rest of the movie won't cure.

While the story is significantly weaker than the first, it's the presence of all our favourite characters that makes AP2 enjoyable. They're all here: Jim, Stifler, Finch, Jim's dad� Heck, even Stifler's little brother and the MILF guys make an appearance. (For the record, I think the MILF guys should get their own movie, some sort of crazy road film, perhaps titled The Wacky and Zany Adventures of the MILF Guys on Safari�but that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.) This group of actors is very believable as friends. I actually feel that they do in fact hang around together. I believe that Eugene Levy is really Jim's dad. The genius of the characters is that everybody knows people like those on the screen. That makes them more identifiable to the audience and more familiar. When the audience has that type of connection to the characters, it automatically makes them like the movie. Sure, some people might be put off by the lewdness and raunchiness, but chances are that if you want to see this movie, all the grossness won't bother you anyway. And if it does, well� too bad. Just relax. It's summer. Enjoy the film.

DroopyMcC
Jack