There's a scene where a group of 17-year old guys talk about how cool it would be to get to "third base." Do teens still talk like that? Sadly, we seem to be in an era where 13-year old kids talk about sex as though it were routine for them. "So didja bang 'er yet?" Maybe that level of innocence was unintentional. Perhaps the writer is simply outta touch with teens today, so it comes off as innocence. But the sweetness is still there. As raunchy as the humor is, I think that a parent who takes his/her/their child to see this movie may be appalled by some of the stuff, but ultimately, they'll probably walk out happy with the message that the movie sends.
"American Pie" has a young cast filled with people you may have seen elsewhere, and some you may have never seen before. The leading role is played by Jason Biggs. This is his first role in a feature film, but he was in "As the World Turns" for TV. He's a very good, very natural actor. When he does his dialogue, it's like he's actually talking, not as though he's simply delivering lines. The kid from "Rookie of the Year" is in this movie, too. He's older now, and his girlfriend in the movie is the sexiest chickie there. She's played by Tara Reid (though I don't remember her in it, she was in "Cruel Intentions"... she was also in "Urban Legend," which I haven't seen). Then there's Shannon Elizabeth. She's the movie's horny foreign exchange student who you get to see a lot of. She's extremely hot, and even though there's a totally unbelievable scene that seems pulled straight out of a porno (in what LEADS to sex, not the actual sex itself), seeing her move around topless is worth it (sorry ladies, but ALL guys are pigs). Though all I know about her is that she's been in obscure movies and TV shows, Shannon Elizabeth is in this month's issue of Playboy (August 1999... thanks to my buddy A.J. for that bit of information). Others in the cast include Alyson Hannigan ("Willow" from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the TV show) as the annoying girl geek, Chris Klein (the guy running against Reese Witherspoon in "Election") as the guy trying to play the "sensitive guy" angle, Seann William Scott (though he's done some TV, this is his debut film, and he's hilarious) as their horny, vulgar friend, and a few others. The one who steals the movie is Eugene Levy as the father of the main character. Eugene Levy is an alumnus of "SCTV." He's done quite a few movies with John Candy, such as "Going Berzerk," "Splash," and "Armed and Dangerous." Like Jason Biggs, he's a very natural actor, and he plays the role so seriously, practically everything he says is hilarious. This was a great role for him.
"American Pie" was written by Adam Herz, and this is his first produced script. Though he IS a little out of touch with the way teens are today, he writes funny stuff. I laughed hysterically throughout this movie. I look forward to future work from that guy. The director was Paul Weitz, and this is his debut film as a director. He's written before though, most notably, he was one of the writers for "Antz." Together, they made a movie that's raunchy, sweet, funny, and highly entertaining.
I'm not offended
easily, so this influx of raunchy movies doesn't bother me in the least.
As a matter of fact, that's the kinda humor I like. To me, if it's funny,
it works. All the so-called raunchy movies that were released this summer
were movies I've seen and enjoyed. Out of all of 'em, I think this one was
the funniest, though. I promise you, "American Pie" will make you laugh
your ass off.