|
|
|
A DVD Review of...
  
Images (C) Universal |
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jason Biggs, Chris Klien, Thomas Ian Nichols, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid
Synopsis: Sequel to the 1999 teen comedy hit. After a year apart - attending different schools, meeting different people - th gys rent a beach house and vow to make this the best summer ever. As it turns out, whether that will happen or not has a lot to do with the girls. Between the wild parties, outrageous revelations, and yes a trip to band camp, they discover that times change and people change, but in the end its all about sticking together..
Film Review: I never really got into the first AP film as much as most people my age, consequently I've similar feelings about the sequel which is basically more of the same. "American Pie 2" is late Summer harmless fun with the return of some likable characters and everything you'd expect from the first movie: several great comedy sequences, light "Dawson's Creek" style relationship drama (though with less soppy introspection), themes of friendship, etc. and so on.
All the actors from the first return with each giving solid performances, not really a weak one amongst the bunch though Klein, Elizabeth and Reid are underwritten this time around whilst one hoped for more scenes with Natasha Lyonne, Eugene Levy and Eddie Kaye Thomas. The gags this time aren't as unique or clever but do get the laughs including a 'golden shower' scene, Stifler and Jim having to make out to watch some lesbians, a great scene at band camp with Jim performing, and a superglue gag which could've gone better.
The superior story and production values this time round are offset by a more staged and predictable tone overall. The first film starred a bunch of unknowns doing a small and light teen comedy - they knew they were a "Porkys" ripoff and played up on it. This time however it feels like the first film's success has sunk in and as such this time its a more Hollywood-feel and sensibility overall. Basically ifyou like the first one you'll like the second one - its a sequel neither inferior or superior to its originator though I doubt it'll have as lasting an impact as the first did. - Garth Franklin
"American Pie 2: Collector's Edition"
Unrated Widescreen Version
DVD Details In Brief (Region 1)
Rating: Unrated
Runtime: 100mins
Versions: 16:9 Enhanced Widescreen, 4:3 Letterboxed
Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Language & Sub-Titles: English
Commentaries: Track by Director James B. Rogers, Writer Adam Herz and various cast members
Documentaries: "Making Of" Featurette
Clips: Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Trailers, Casting Auditions, Jason Biggs introduction
Other: "Classic Quotes", DVD-Rom
Region 1 vs. Region 4: No Region 4 Available. |
 |
DVD Review: Coming in four different versions, here I'm reviewing the widescreen (full screen is rather pointless) and the unrated version. The differences between it and the R-rated theatrical release are minimal - there's like several second extensions of things like the Jim-Stilfer kiss but nothing that really pushes that R rating. Video and Audio wise the disc is excellent - colors are surprisingly rich, edges and clarity are perfect, and no grain or artifacts are visible. The sound isn't as good because this is a comedy so use of surround is minimal and whilst the music drones in and out as different songs come into play, speech is fine - all over it has a professional film look and sound. There's not one or two but FOUR commentary tracks which really should've been one or two. Indeed the first two are somewhat disappointing, Rogers is too descriptive of what happened in the film and on set rather than talking about the why and how, writer Herz is the same though does talk about structure and dialogue more which is helpful. The actors one (Biggs, Nicholas & Suvari) is more lively with the guys chatting quite a bit about their experience, Thomas has its moments, but is otherwise quiet and nothing of note.
"The Baking of American Pie" is a standard 24-minute making of featurette with interviews and set footage. "Good Times with the Cast & Crew" is seven minutes of behind the scenes video footage of the cast and crew goofing off, and it proves more enjoyable than the surprisingly sporadically funny gag reel. There's 12 minutes of deleted scenes including more scenes relating to the Kevin-Vicky storyline, a girl admiring Finch doing tai chi, and a segment with the guys returning to high school to check out the old hallways and Kev reminiscing (this bit has been shown in the trailers). Rather unusual is the original casting tapes from the first film for several major actors, its fascinating to see them in this rough home video format without the Hollywood makeup polish (Klein looks disarmingly young) with Jason and Alyson easily scoring the best tests. Finally in this part of the Special Features section is the 3 Doors Down "Be Like That" music video (forgettable pop set in the woods).
Onto the second page and a scruffy Seann William Scott intros "Your Favorite Piece of Pie" section which includes clips of the various key gag sequences of both AP movies listed in an order voted on by an MSN poll - funnily enough the second film scores five of the top six slots with the lesbians scene as number one. "Classic Quotes" has short five second clips from the film of about 20 memorable quotes, "Music Highlights" is basically the chapters selection menu with titles of the songs used for each scene rather than the goofy chapter names, rounding it all off is production notes, biographies and the trailer with a decent intro by Biggs ("the trailer you are about to see deals head on with issues like self gratification, self lubrication and self adhesion"). DVD-Rom contains commercials, stills, clips, games, a music 'Stifler's Mix' feature, better bios and an interesting user interface. Oddly enough there's also the first and somewhat so-so trailer for "The Bourne Identity" on this. There's nothing extra in here to make one want to rush out to grab the DVD, the extras more complimenting the existing film rather than expanding on it, nevertheless its quite well layed out and worth getting for any fan. - Garth Franklin
 .
|
|
|
|
|
|
