Monday, June 16, 2008

"American Pie" The Movie

Nominated for zero Academy Awards, American Pie is a lewd, crude teenage comedy that's probably the funniest movie of 1999. In the tradition of Animal House, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, and other such comedies, the film makes its mark as one of the better written screenplays in the genre.

The clever one-liners and memorable scenes are so abundant that few seconds of the film lack one or the other. If you can't laugh at American Pie, then you've got serious problems.

American Pie follows in the tradition of Fast Times and Ridgemont High and the National Lampoons series, and the recent sex teen comedies. It's not inspired, but cheerful, hard-working, and sometimes funny.

The director and the writer, Paul Weitz and Adam Herz respectively, will do anything for a laugh -- that's good, as it turns out, because this movie has a great many laughs in it. There's not much of that restricting, suffocating 'logic' stuff around, but American Pie is immensely enjoyable. I mean, almost none of the things that happen in this film would ever, ever come to pass in real life, but it doesn't matter, it's still funny american movie anyway.

For starters, the characters aren't all one-dimensional. Thankfully, they're two-dimensional, so right away it has an edge on 60-70% of all the movies ever made. Moreover, it's heart is in the right place. Most high school movies these days are all about cruelty and malice, especially towards (and among) the women. Not the case here. This is the first conventional high school movie I've ever seen that made me smile so much (I say conventional because 'Rushmore' still trumps every one of them).

This film portrays what is really happening with high school teenagers. The majority of the gang want to get laid (lose their virginity) before they graduate, particularly the guys. What I admire about this movie is that it's willing to take a risk that no other teen flick has done.

The film boasts a great cast, genuine humor and is filled with emotion. Throw in some beautiful women for eye candy, and a solid director who believes in the material he's working with, and you have yourself the ingredients for one great American Pie.

The whole movie is something new and exciting . Once u get over the crude humor there really is a good stoey to it. But it has now turned an innocent and yummy dessert (apple pie) into a laughing matter. If you are into that raunchy teen sex comedy films, then this is for you.

American Pie opens the world to a new path of great movie-making.




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