Let's cut to the chase. Is "American Pie 2" as good as "American Pie?" In a word, no. But it's still consistently hilarious and as one of the best movies of the summer, it won't disappoint fans of the original or anyone looking for some good laughs.
Picking up a year after the events in the first film, everyone has gone off to college and finished freshman year. Jim (Jason Biggs) is about to engage in his second sexual experience with a girl looking for end-of-the-school-year sex, no strings attached. So, right off the bat we know that the movie is nothing like real college, but that's OK.
In the middle of the deed, Jim's dad (the always wonderful Eugene Levy) walks in. He gives him a little talk about the birds and the bees, and then Jim's mom and the girl's parents present themselves. This has all been shown in the previews, but for once the entire movie hasn't been given away in the trailer.
Back home, and after more frank sex talk with his dad, Jim meets up with the guys, Stifler (Seann William Scott), Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas). They share college stories, most of which discuss who got some female action and who didn't.
But things are not the same. They're in college now and they all want to have another summer to remember, but have no idea how that's going to happen. As he did in the first one, Kevin consults his older brother (Casey Affleck) for advice. He tells Kevin that he went through the same thing with his friends and that they rented a house on Lake Michigan for the summer and had the best time of their lives. It all ended with one huge bash.
And with that, Jim, Stifler, Oz, Kevin and Finch are off to a house on the lake for the summer. They get a job painting houses and plan on a summer of girls, alcohol and debauchery, not necessarily in that order, before throwing a party to end all parties.
Of course, the girls from the original are back as well. Heather (Mena Suvari) is spending the summer studying abroad, but will be back for the party. Vicky (Tara Reid) and Jessica (Natasha Lyonne) are around and spend some time hanging out with the guys.
Jim has his hands full in the female department. He finds out that Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) will be visiting at the end of the summer, and quickly panics. He employs Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), who is at band camp nearby, to help him prepare for Nadia and teach him how to become a stud under the covers. Jim needs a lot of practice.
Other characters returning from the original include Sherman (Chris Owens), Stifler's brother (Eli Marienthal) and Stifler's mom (Jennifer Coolidge), though there is no sign of Stifler's dad, who was rumored to make an appearance.
It would be cruel to give away more details about the summer shenanigans engaged in by the boys. Give credit to writer Adam Herz, who also penned the first one, for coming up with situations that are creative and feel fresh. Nothing feels forced or desperate. Herz doesn't take the easy way out and write a stale gross-out comedy. His script is generally on par with the original's.
Stifler is featured prominently this time, and that was a very smart move. Due to the fact that his role is bigger, he is even funnier in the sequel. He's more profane, perverted and obnoxious, and gets the movie's biggest laughs.
The rest of the cast is fine, not really any better or worse than in the first one. They are all playing the same characters after all.
Think of "American Pie 2" as getting a Christmas present, and you already know what it is because you looked in your mom's closet and found it. When you open it up, you're not surprised, but you get exactly what you were expecting and wanting, so you're happy anyway. As far as sequels go, this is a good one, more than worthy of its predecessor.
Grade: B+
"American Pie 2" opens everywhere on Fri., Aug. 10. Click here for showtimes.
