AMERICAN PIE
A film review by Christopher Null
Copyright 1999 Christopher Null
filmcritic.com
This is certainly the year for comedy, with SOUTH PARK, AUSTIN POWERS 2, and now AMERICAN PIE making the last month alone nothing short of a gut buster.
With all the sophistication of PORKY'S 2, AMERICAN PIE is a teen sex comedy (and was originally titled as such) that leaves taste and sophistication at the door and goes straight for the comedic jugular. The highest-of-concepts plot is simple: Four high school virgins vow to lose their virginity by the end of school, and the prom is only three weeks away. Plots and schemes are hatched out the yin-yang.
What these guys will do for sex is... well, is what any guy will do for sex, of course. But these guys are really funny about it. Antics include paying off a girl to spread rumors of one's endowment. A secret book of advanced technique. Joining the choir to meet chicks. Hooking up a net-cam to catch the exchange student undressing. And of course, a practice session with the titular pie.
AMERICAN PIE isn't so shocking as SOUTH PARK, which has mercilessly stolen its thunder, but it's got moments of such sheer hilarity you can't help but feel drained (from laughter) after leaving this pic. Sure, it isn't going to appeal to everyone, but if you've grown tired of the histrionics on shows like `Dawson's Creek,' this movie is a breath of fresh air.
Take it from me; I left the theater hungry. So to speak.
RATING: ***1/2
|------------------------------|
\ ***** Perfection \
\ **** Good, memorable film \
\ *** Average, hits and misses \
\ ** Sub-par on many levels \
\ * Unquestionably awful \
|------------------------------|
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Paul Weitz Producer: Chris Moore, Craig Perry, Chris Weitz, Warren Zide Writer: Adam Herz Starring: Jason Biggs, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Chris Klein, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Coolidge, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Natasha Lyonne, Eugene Levy, Tara Reid
http://www.universalpictures.com/americanpie/
Christopher Null - null@filmcritic.com - http://www.filmcritic.com Author - Network Administrator's Reference, 1999, ISBN 0-07-882588-1 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078825881/filmcriticcom
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