joshua-halstead

So, I love independent films, and further more almost everybody in this cast are in my regular viewing, but this was just so eh. I felt like the scenes that were supposed to be dramatic just fell flat. The actors are incredible, and their performances were great, but it just felt unnatural and too contrived and so it just kind of left you feeling like it should've been more. The comedy scenes were slightly amusing but not really all that funny, with the exception of "and we're holding." I loved Sam Rockwell's character who I thought was the only character who really stood out and was a lot of fun, but there was no character journey for him, or for that matter for any other character in the film. They try to trick you into the main character had a personal journey, but he didn't he stayed the same, he just found people who accepted him that way. Steve Carell did great, but all the way through the film he was so intolerable it was miserable to watch scenes with him. AnnaSophia Robb was in it. I LOVE Annasophia Robb. She is beautiful, funny, and VERY talented, but her role in this particular film was bland, and really very expendable. So, I don't know, it felt like it was a wanna-be indie film. It was an enjoyable one time view but it's nothing special.

All of the reviews I have read, for the most part, state that this is a lot like the first AP movie, and that it is almost as good. Here's the truth: it's not. While the movie delivers some solid laughs, and a little bit of raunchy humor, it is far too focused on nostalgia. The little overtones and references to the original movie are humorous and well- placed, however they clearly tried too hard to make it reminiscent and it just came off as more of a feel-good, drama-comedy. The character development was good, and the plot was solid, but it was too mushy. Another big problem is that in an attempt at being reminiscent of the first, it repeated a lot of the original gags which really just came across as a little lazy. So, the movie is funny, at times hilarious, and at times sad. It's a fun watch, especially if you are an AP fan, but definitely not as strong as AP and AP 2. Beats American Wedding hands down though. It's fun, and a good look back at the movies so many people grew up watching and loving, but nothing all that special.

So I love the first American Pie, and I stand by what I said in my review of the first that that these are not sex comedies, and that they have a lot of heart, but i felt that this was a little overly sentimental. I love that these movies have heart, and a good plots but i feel like this one tried a little too hard to remove itself from that culture. That being said this movie was hilarious and as a sequel, it's just about the best we could have expected. It has numerous good laughs, good writing, good acting, and it's another great bromantic comedy. I have to say that Jason Biggs delivery of the---well, let's just say "I glued myself to uh....myself" scene(in the trailer too, not a spoiler.) was terrific. If you're looking for a good laugh that is not at the expense of somebody, or just constantly going for the easy laugh this is your movie. It has a lot of gross out humor, but it also has a lot of more situation humor and complex humor. Is it as good, or influential as the first? Not a chance. But it is hilarious, true to the first, and it is a great movie to watch for a party night.