HEFE'S REVIEW OF:
AMERICAN WEDDING (2003)

OPENING THOUGHTS

    I know what you are thinking, this obviously isn't a film in the American Pie franchise because it isn't called American Pie 3, but that's how they fool you, it really is. I know it confusing because movies that actually aren't a part of this franchise have American Pie in their names like American Pie Presents The Naked Mile. My theory on this is that it is an attempt by movie studios to fuck your mind without your permission, and without protection. The result: confusion, or as I call it, mind AIDS.

ACTING

    SEAN WILLIAM SCOTT was really the star of this movie, even though he probably wasn't supposed to be. I have mixed feelings about Stifler's performance in this movie. First off this film has some of Scott's best scene's in the entire franchise, even if you hate this guy I don't think you could find a normal person on the planet who didn't find his scene in the gay bar ridiculously funny. Unfortunately there is also the "but"... the problem with this performance was that much of the time his vulgarity, energy and constant laughing felt forced and awkward much of the time. Like he was pushing himself to be more over-the-top than he has ever been simply for the sake of being over-the-top. Then again I am probably over analyzing a character whose main motivation is titties. To be fair though, titties are pretty fucking sweet.
    EDDIE KAYE THOMAS who plays Finch in the series, happens to be one of the only mainstays that I have not mentioned. This is mostly because he is not a very good actor and I never really felt like bringing him up before. You are probably wondering, "did you bring this up because something in his performance stood out this time around?" Well that is an excellent question, and the answer is no, I just didn't want to talk about the same people over and over again. It's not that he does a bad job, he does ok, but I don't see this guy ever playing another character that isn't just another version of this same guy.
    FRED WILLARD was a nice addition to the cast, he is a veteran comedic actor and just like Eugene Levy added a certain level of legitimacy to the earlier movies, Willard did the same with this film. Willard usually has the same awkward line delivery and clueless seriousness that he brings to most of the characters he plays, but somehow it never gets old. It's kind of like sex, you can bang and bang and bang and it is always still enjoyable. I like banging.

DIRECTION AND SCRIPT

    ADAM HERZ could have easily fallen into a trap with this movie, he could have relied on past gags and just recreated them, in the same way the Austin Powers franchise did in the third film. But instead he managed to keep the series feeling fresh. There is a sense with each film that we have grown up, and the characters have grown up right along with us. I always feel like I might be giving this guy a little bit too much credit for writing such raunchy comedies, but he really did a good job with the series. Again matching the perfect amount of heart, titties and swearing. I also thought it was bold excluding some main characters from the past films that I really thought held the series back (like the high forehead couple), while simultaneously not being afraid to add some great new ones. For the third series in a comedy franchise I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

THE VERDICT

    If you were going to get "married" to a movie than you could do a lot worse. I'm sorry that I said that, I know that was below me. If you were a fan of Stifler in the earlier Pies than I think this movie may be a good pick for you, because he seems to take more of a focus this time around. All things considered this is a strong comedy that manages to stay fresh and delicious... like my wiener.
 
 

RATING: B

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