American Pie: The Wedding

After finishing college Jim (Biggs) sees the next natural step in his relationship with Michelle (Hannigan) is to get married. After a rather public proposal, the two start to plan their dream wedding. With the help of Finch (Thomas) and Kevin (Nicholas), Jim hopes to get everything right for Michelle but when Stifler (William Scott) finds out that he is not included, he takes matters into his own hands by getting close to Michelle's parents and her extremely attractive younger sister Cadence (Jones).

Most of the gang return for a third slice of American Pie and the jokes are as sordid and childish as ever.

Even though a lot of the cast are missing (Chris Klein as Oz, Shannon Elizabeth as Nadia, Mena Suvari as Heather and Tara Reid as Vicky), the key and best characters have returned for more fun with toilet, sexual humour. Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan are as good as ever as the hapless Jim and the nymphomaniac Michelle. They have excellent screen chemistry and have really grown into the roles. They are so well suited that you just can't help smiling as you watch the two characters at the altar exchanging their vows. Seann William Scott and Eddie Kaye Thomas continue their mutual dislike of one another as Stifler and Finch. Fighting for the attention of Cadence, played by January Jones, Stifler and Finch go through a hysterical reversal of roles. Just imagine Stifler trying to be intelligent and you'll get the picture. Thomas Ian Nicholas's Kevin is still as uninteresting as ever, as the role is still seriously underwritten. Eugene Levy as Jim's Dad steals the show again with some classic one-liners and his usual brand of advice.

The humour is as gross as ever and the comedic set pieces match the tone set by the previous movies. You know what to expect and the American Pie team deliver the goods, been the best exponents of the teen gross out comedy genre. But what sets these movies apart from the multitude of facsimiles that followed the original is the underlying themes that run through each film. The first covered sexual discovery and the second relationships, the third covers marriage, responsibility and finally growing up and again it does it really well. Credit has to go to the writer of all three movies, Adam Hertz who has injected these elements of Jim's life in between his usual disastrous escapades.

American Pie: The Wedding is as funny as the previous two films and a great conclusion to a very well written and acted series (Unless we get a fourth outing of course). While I would have liked to have seen a bigger bachelor party and had a better explanation why so many of the characters where missing in the plot, the remaining cast members more than made up the ensemble sort comings. Just put it this way, you will never eat a chocolate truffle again.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, the transfer as with most modern films, is crystal clear and sounds superb. The colours are vibrant, especially during the wedding scene and the surround sound comes into its own during the 'Nightclub Dance-battle' scene.
This is also the Un-rated, extended version that is riddled with extra or extended scenes. Most are expanded character interaction but the highlight is the extra scenes in the Bachelor Party, which makes an already funny scene even more hysterical.

BONUS MATERIAL

Audio Commentary from director Jesse Dylan and star Seann William Scott
This is a very funny commentary from both the director and star. Director Jesse Dylan tries to talk about the more technical side of the filmmaking process but the constant gags and interruption for Seann William Scott turn this commentary into a fun, amusing insight into the movie.

Audio commentary from stars Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas & Thomas Ian Nicholas
The best commentaries are one with groups of cast members and this is no exception. You can tell the four young stars have become firm friends over the last three movies, as there is a real sense of fun and mockery in their conversation, which you would only get among good mates. Some of Eddie Kaye Thomas's (Finch) put downs and one-liners are priceless and Jason Biggs is a genuinely funny guy.

Deleted Scenes (22.09)
Twelve deleted scenes introduced by writer/producer Adam Herz and star Seann William Scott. Each of them gets an explanation why it was cut but you can honestly see why for yourself. The extended Blow-up Doll scene is a highlight however.

Outtakes (6.06)
Bloopers from filming which mainly feature Jason Biggs as Jim and Seann William Scott as Stifler. It makes you think that William Scott can't help but laugh during every take.

Stifler Speak (7.15 mins)
Writer Adam Herz and Seann William Scott talk about everyone's favourite foul-mouthed Jock, Steve Stifler. William Scott shows us behind-the-scenes footage of him improvising many of Stifler's lines and Herz explains his joy at creating and writing the character. Seann William Scott's first casting video is also included and the rest of the cast talk about living with Stifler.

Enter the Dominatrix: Inside the Bachelor Party (9.47 mins)
Ex-Playboy Playmate Nikki Ziering introduces a spicier behind-the-scenes featurette. From the writers coming up with all the crazy ideas to the actual filming, Nikki takes you on a tour of the set and all the props used in the outrageous scene. There is also a Finch cam, as Eddie Kaye Thomas walks around the set eyeing the girls and laughing at his friends.

Grooming the Groom (6.34 mins)
Star Jason Biggs discusses Jim's region, as the hapless Groom gives himself a special haircut for his wedding night. We also go behind-the-scenes of the "Pube tornado".

Cheesy Wedding Video (2.59 mins)
Behind-the-scenes of the wedding but filmed in a way to look like a stereotypical wedding video, right down to the awful backing music.

Nikki's Hollywood Journal (9.54 mins)
The beautiful and funny Nikki Ziering's video diary about how she prepared for the LA premiere of the movie. It includes trips to the gym, skin doctor, dress shop and of course hair and make-up.

OVERALL
With an extended version of the movie and some excellent bonus material, this is a must for all American Pie fans. The commentaries are very funny and the featurettes are a superb insight into the making of the film. Writer Adam Herz is the star of the show, as he speaks passionately about his creations and the sense of fun runs through every part of this DVD.

DVD

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2003