Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "American Pie" is already 16 years old by now. How time flies. it was a huge success back then and everybody from younger age groups, mostly teenagers growing-up, had seen it back in the day. Obviously, with time, it has lost a lot of significance, but it was maybe the 1999 film that reflected society the best back then. It has not aged as a classic or must-see comedy by any means, but these 95 minutes are certainly worth the watch. There are some really funny scenes in there, the beginning when Biggs' character gets caught masturbating by his parents, basically every scene that has Eugene Levy or Alyson Hannigan, Stifler or Stifler's mom, the pie scene... There were definitely also many scenes that weren't really that interesting, which is why I cannot give this film a higher rating. It is certainly not funny from start to finish, but during its best moments, it is extremely funny I think.This was directed by brothers Paul and Chris Weitz before they became Oscar nominees. The writer is Adam Herz and he has basically written almost nothing outside the "American Pie" franchise. The cast includes a handful actors that are still known today, but no real superstars. The most known is probably Alyson Hannigan, an actress I like quite a lot and when this film here was made, she was already quite a star thanks to "Buffy". Back to "American Pie", this film is probably at its worst when it tries really hard to be also dramatically relevant in terms of relationships and sex between young males and females. It's not really working. But the comedy makes up for it on many occasions and makes this probably one of the most known comedies of the 1990s. Still today, almost everybody over the age of 20 has heard about "American Pie". You could maybe say that it was a defining film for a generation back then. Still, it's not a masterpiece or a classic, but definitely worth the watch if you are looking for a light goofball comedy. I recommend it. And if you like it, you can check out some of the sequels too if you're in the mood.

CinemaClown The quintessential teen sex comedy that surfaced on the silver screen at the turn of the new millennium and went on to spawn a franchise consisting of numerous sequels & a direct-to- DVD spin-off series while also influencing pop culture, American Pie is a delightful, hilarious & harmless comedy that does exactly what's expected from it... and then some more.American Pie tells the story of four high-school seniors who decide to make a pact to lose their virginity before they graduate and attempt to achieve their goal of getting laid by prom night. The plot follows their adventures as almost all of them run into embarrassing but also hilarious situations at one time or another and find the pressure mounting as the prom night approaches.Directed by Chris & Paul Weitz, American Pie features a shallow plot line & weak characters and yet it manages to be a smooth ride for the most part that never takes itself seriously & simply swims with the tide. The humour is crude, the laughs are plenty, the film is aware of its limitations and tries to have fun with what it has, and the cast does well with their given roles plus their chemistry clicks.On an overall scale, American Pie remains an endlessly enjoyable, thoroughly entertaining & surprisingly good piece of genre filmmaking that still brims with freshness, packs a massive dose of nostalgia, and exhibits a lot of charm over the course of its runtime. Not everything works out in its favour & a couple of moments may have lost its potency over the years but American Pie still works because its heart is at the right place.

Python Hyena American Pie (1999): Dir: Paul Weitz / Cast: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth: Here is a vulgar teen comedy where its biggest pitch is to feature a teen male with a baked apple pie plastered over his crotch. It reflects the teenage sex drive with a title suggesting innocence that they do not possess and their parents do not see. Four teenage males make a pact to lose their virginity before prom night. Director Paul Weitz understands the teenage sexual hunger. Eugene Levy steals scenes as a father who understands his son's sexual appetite and arrives home presenting him with issues of Hustler and has long discussions about masturbation. Jason Biggs brings out Jim's sexual longings and becomes involved in an Internet stripteases. Chris Klein takes singing lessons to impress a girl who doesn't realize that she is being played. Seann William Scott highlights the gross humour particularly when he drinks a beer without knowing what was expelled into it beforehand. Shannon Elizabeth is the fixation of Jim as foreign student Nadia whose homework session becomes a web cam sensation. While humour will discourage some, it is the sexual freedom being flaunted that may send the wrong message. Theme regards teenage sexual appetite with an ending that sends the wrong message of clothes coming off and everybody waking up in someone else's bed. Score: 8 / 10

Sam Richardson Let's not beat about it, American Pie is hilarious. Its crude, raunchy humour and frequently outrageous giggles will leave you scoffing with a mixture of bowel crunching laughter and light shock. Like most teen movies, it's extremely cheesy, but once you get past that, it's only too easy to fall into seeing the flick the way it was intended... without a shred of seriousness. The plot is simple enough. Four high school seniors pledge to lose their virginity before their fast approaching senior prom. The actors are at their best together, where the totally outrageous script truly doesn't hold back. By far the best feature of American Pie is its on-screen gags, which are both frequent and clever. They're outright brilliant, and will make you howl with laughter. However, for those who view their cinema closely, American Pie is also an exploration into coming of age. You get the impression that the boys are desperately on the cusp of bridging the gap between teenager and adult. Such an impression is all too easy to relate to, and viewers may feel all overcome with nostalgia at the eventful house parties and sexual banter. American Pie is comedy gold. It's utterly without dignity, but that's what makes it so wonderful. Sure, the acting's nothing special, but it's the boys' experiences that make it such a laugh. The plot and characters are strong enough that the film isn't totally ridiculous, but it's so cheeky and funny that it's become a popular classic.