'American Reunion': Everything Old Is Enjoyable Again

The gang's all here in "American Reunion," the latest in what turned out to be a very profitable franchise. Who knew that the four high school guys on a quest to lose their virginity could still bring us back to watch them after more than a decade?

The characters have now moved on of course: Oz is now an NFL sportscaster who lives in California with his gorgeous, party-girl girlfriend; Kevin is now married and works from home as an architect; Finch arrives on a motorcycle with exotic tales of his travels abroad; and Jim and Michelle, who tied the knot in American Wedding, are still married and in love, but have fallen into a sexual rut since the birth of their son. This is evident in American Pie's now trademark hilarious introduction, where plenty of embarrassment is shown for our enjoyment.

The only one who hasn't seemed to have grown up is Stiffler. Age hasn't changed him or made him successful apparently; he's stuck in a temp job with the boss from Hell.

All of them leap at the chance to get together at their high school reunion. (The odd timing is explained away in one sentence and never mentioned again.) Calamity reliable ensues, as Jim has to deal with constant humiliations, one of which is the unwanted attentions of the now grown-up 18-year-old girl next door he used to babysit.

American Reunion keeps the laughs and gross-out gags coming, as the guys face the fact that they've grown up and today's teenagers are now foreign to them. After all, in an age of Facebook and sexting, Jim's infamous video with Nadia almost seems sweet and innocent. While the usual cliches are present, kudos to Reunion for compassionately examining the rut that married couples can fall into without making the wife the usual emasculating shrew. It's to the movie's credit that these characters can still hold your attention after all this time.

That said, there are some cliches it doesn't get past: I highly doubt that successful sportscasters really pine for their hometowns or ex-girlfriends that much, and I also doubt that all 18-year-olds are that idiotic. Anyone who wants something other than a strictly monogamist relationship is painted as despicable. That said, Reunion keeps the laughs coming, and it makes the in-jokes and cameos and all the recurring and side characters that much more fun. (Jim's dad is a riot as always, and Stiffler's mom proves she still has a few tricks up her sleeve.) It's nothing spectacular, but it's still fun seeing the guys I grew up with again.

REVIEW RATING: B-