Review: American Wedding

Posted by: Jeremy Maron  •  August 1, 2003 @ 11:59am

Filed under: Reviews

American Wedding, the third and possibly final installment of the American Pie series, is just as raunchy and even more hilarious than its two predecessors. Although the focus in American Wedding is on an event that could be considered the largest step into maturity (marriage), the crew that made apple pie an erotic element of classical conditioning and caused many male viewers to squirm whenever they see crazy glue, manages to take the holiest of unions and turn it into the ulitmate raunchfest. I really enjoyed American Wedding, but I also enjoyed American Pie and American Pie 2. However, 2 of the people that were at the screening with me who had NOT enjoyed the first 2, thoroughly enjoyed this one -- something to think about.

To TRULY appreciate American Wedding right from the beginning, it is helpful to be familiar with the characters. But even if you're not, it does not take long to learn what it is about these characters that has created a cult-like following. The opening sequence is side-splitting, combining everything that has made the films so great thus far, and it does include Eugene Levy in his recurring role as a bumbling, yet well-meaning father. However, it does not take long for Jim Leverstein (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) to become engaged on the screen. Soon afterwards, it is revealed that Michelle does not want Jim's old buddy, Stifler (Seann William Scott), to be invited to the wedding. However, Stifler does find out about the occasion and the entire rest of the movie is pretty much Stifler being an ass. But this is good! Stifler is clearly the funniest character of the bunch, and placing his foul mouth and insane libido in the midst of a celebration full of loving families is genius.

There's not much more to tell. Yes, there is sexual humor, yes there is a gross-out scene (actually a couple), and yes there is gratuitous nudity. But come on, American Wedding is so much fun, it doesn't even matter that it's not stellar filmmaking... and if a film major like me can forgive it, can't you??