Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Natasha Lyonne and Tara Reid
Story rating: 3 1/2 discs (out of 4)
American Pie is the darndest thing. Both warmhearted and foul-mouthed, this hybrid of South Park and Andy Hardy uses its crudeness to entice teenage audiences to see a movie that is as fundamentally sweet and sincere as anything Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland ever put out. A card-carrying contemporary youth comedy, American Pie does have its gross-out credentials in what you might call apple-pie order. Front and center are jokes about voyeurism, diarrhea, premature ejaculation, the drinking of beer with a semen chaser and, in the film’s signature moment, masturbation à la homemade pie. More than that, American Pie is unusual in its ability to mix bodily function humor with a genuine sense of decency. Though its characters obsess endlessly about sex, to the point of wondering if The Little Mermaid‘s Ariel would make a good partner, the film finally comes down emphatically in favor of treating people with consideration and acting from the heart as the keys to happiness.
Features rating: 2 discs (out of 4)
Though the movie stays on the high note it hits right away, the extras on the DVD have peaks and valleys. The commentary track features the directing/producing team of Paul and Chris Weitz, writer Adam Herz and several of the movie’s male actors. Amusing, if not informative, it’s good fun to listen to as they discuss the embarrassing moments in great detail and marvel at Eugene Levy‘s improvisational skills, but ultimately it sounds more like a conversation between a bunch of guys hanging out than anything else. It’s too bad none of the female stars were included. The outtake section is a little disappointing. You’d think you were in for the funniest collection of goofs ever, but they’re actually pretty dull stuff. In fact, you’re better off popping your disc in your DVD-ROM drive for the behind-the-scenes footage, which is unfortunately reserved only for those with computers and DVD-ROM drives.
Bottom line: Teen films have always been obsessed with shedding the weighty shackles of virginity. Some have managed todeal with this humorously, sensitively, and poignantly all at once–Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Porky’s–but few succeed. Those that do, however, enter the pantheon of truly great teen films. American Pie can be added to that list.
Special features list:
Digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video
Widescreen and full screen presentation
Audio: English 5.1 (Dolby Digital) and 2-channel (Dolby Surround)
Languages: English, Spanish, French
American Pie 2: sneak peak and theatrical trailer
American Pie deleted scenes
Outtakes
Theatrical poster concepts
Spotlight on location
Theatrical trailer
Feature commentary with director Paul Weitz, producer Chris Weitz, writer Adam Herz, and cast members Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott
Photograph montage with director and producer commentary
Tonic’s “You Wanted More” music video
Tonic live performance
Cast and filmmakers filmographies
Production notes
Music highlights
Classic quotes
DVD-ROM: from script to scene
DVD-ROM: Finch’s Rock the Potty game
DVD-ROM: American Pie Web site
