Review: "American Reunion"

After 13 years, two sequels, and a string of direct to video spinoffs, American Reunion brings the American Pie series to the finish line, coasting on fumes. With a healthy dose of nineties nostalgia, it brings all the key players from the original film back for another helping of bad behavior, half-witted hijinks, and uncomfortable father-son chats.

Time has been mostly kind to the young actors, who seem to have no problems getting back into character for one more go at it. Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan return as Jim and Michelle, who have been in a sexual rut since their son was born. The reunion gives them a chance to get away from the daily grind in an attempt to rekindle some passion. Eddie Kaye Thomas' character Finch has been traveling the world, but somehow finds his way back to East Great Falls for the event. This go-round he's finding love with an old classmate and leaving the memory of Stiffler's mom behind him. Sean William Scott has had (arguably) the most success of the original "Pie" gang and after seeing him in so many films since, I have gained a little more respect for how he gleefully wears "The Stifmeister" like a dirty t-shirt that he has to constantly rescue from his mother's trash can. Stifler's in-your-face personality served him well as the popular high school jock, but is making life a bit difficult for him as he serves as the low man on the corporate totem pole. Thomas Ian Nicholas and Tara Reid are back as Kevin and Vicki, but neither one has much to do here. Like some of the more peripheral characters (Sherman, Nadia, etc.) they're really here just so the film can boast that the whole gang is back. Chris Klein skipped out on American Wedding, but returns here as Oz, the hunky sportscaster with GQ looks and an "aw shucks" softer side that the women really go for. He seems to have the life he always wanted, but a part of him has never gotten over Mena Suvari's character, Heather, who has also returned, new boyfriend in tow for the gang's 13th reunion.

What school has a 13th reunion anyway? The original film did come out in 1999, but it bugged me a little that they felt the need to be so literal about the passage of time. If they had waited one more week, they could've released the film on Friday the 13th to drive the point home. That may have been more fitting because at one point during the film, while the characters are at a high school party talking about Twilight around a campfire, I was literally hoping that Jason Vorhees would show up and use this aging group of turds-and-nerds as target practice, Crystal Lake style.

I digress.

This is one of those series that has bought into its own formula and if you've seen the first one, you already know what to expect. Sort of like comedic comfort food for the "millennium teens," I suppose. The characters haven't changed any, which is a shame, because the fascinating thing about reconnecting with old friends is seeing how they've grown and become different versions of the people you once knew. There's a half dozen different ways they could've made this picture more interesting, but Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the duo responsible for both writing and directing the picture, didn't have enough confidence to bring much fresh material to the project. It would've been nice if they had allowed the movie to grow up a bit with the audience, giving viewers the chance to empathize with characters who are just figuring out how quickly time flies, and that adulthood kinda sucks.

What you're left with is a missed opportunity, a movie that has some funny moments and will feel cozy and familiar to those who love the first film, but won't leave you with anything more memorable than the second and third installments. While the film does leave open the possibility of more "reunions," its ending does feel like a conclusion to the series in many ways. If, however, the film is an overwhelming box office success, we could be in for American Pie: The Musical or Divorce American Pie Style. Unlikely though, as the film offers us nothing more than a piece of the same old pie.

Review: GOON

Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) is one of those guys you love to have on your side. He's not especially bright, but he's easy-going, tough as nails, and loyal to his friends. He works as a bouncer in a local bar and likes to hang out with his pal, Ryan (Jay Baruchel), who hosts a public access television show about hockey called "Hot Ice." While attending a semi-pro game one night, Ryan's heckling gets Doug involved in an altercation where he knocks a player out cold. As a result, Doug gets a call for a tryout to be the team's "enforcer" - the guy whose job is to hit hard and sacrifice himself for the good of the team. Although he is a terrible hockey player, Doug excels at fighting, and his reputation quickly earns him a contract with the Halifax Highlanders, a farm team for the NHL.

Life becomes more complicated for Doug after arriving in Halifax. Although he feels that his life finally has purpose, his parents don't approve of his choice of profession or his nickname, "Doug the Thug." His new teammates don't get along with each other, and his coach doesn't take him seriously. Even their star player, an NHL burnout named Xavier Laflamme (Marc-Andre Grondin) resents Doug because Doug's presence puts pressure on Laflamme to rise back to his former glory. The one bright spot is a new girl in his life named Eva (Alison Pill) who loves the hockey players and is drawn in by Doug's softer side, but already has a boyfriend. That's just this guy's luck.

As Doug's reputation grows, so does the anticipation for his eventual meeting with hockey's reigning god-of-war, Ross "The Boss" Rhea (Liev Schreiber), who is back after a long suspension, playing for a rival team. Rhea's career is on the decline just as Doug's is taking off - a movie cliche to be sure, but an effective one. The entire film builds to that moment, when the two men will shake off their gloves and square off at the center of the ice.

Hockey's draw for the casual fan is the physicality and occasional violent eruptions, which the filmmakers take full advantage of for comedic effect. Many fights only last a few seconds, but each one has a little twist that distinguishes it from the others. The film portrays the role of the "enforcer" as a necessary component for success in the sport. Something readily accepted by Doug, who explains, "If they need me to bleed, they I'll bleed for my team." And bleed he does.


The story, from a book by Doug "The Hammer" Smith and Adam Frattasio, is based on the minor league exploits of Smith. The film was directed by Michael Dowse (Take Me Home Tonight) and written by frequent Apatow contributors Evan Goldberg and Jay Baruchel. Ultimately, there's a very real love for hockey on display in the film, but this is not a case where you need a working knowledge of sports jargon like red lines, blue lines, and power plays. Goon may rely too heavily on the conventions of the sports movie, but it's pleasant enough to mildly recommend on the strength of a few good laughs and a surprising amount of heart.