This is the BEST of the American Pies without the original cast, and it’s because of the supporting actors. Steve Talley (Dwight Stifler) is actually a great actor and an underrated comic talent…nothing at all like any of the other “Stifler” brothers, he actually has a dynamic, multi-dimensional personality and manages to carry the role with a certain dignity and charm as well as the trademark Stifler cockiness. A much more mature portrayal, more so than any of the other actors in the whole series, actually. I know the younger Stifler, Eric, is supposed to be the star of the movie, but Steve Talley really steals the movie as Dwight.
The other supporting cast is great and quirky too, like that Jekyll-and-Hyde type guy who transforms into a maniac with one sip of booze, and that giant screaming dude with the curly blond hair. (Actually, he really reminded me of Todd Parker, Tom Jane’s character from Boogie Nights.)
Also, the “Deer Hunter” parody scene is absolutely focking hilarious…the head Geek fraternity guy is great in it too.
This movie has absolutely no connection to the original American Pie movies - it’s a totally different kind of film, a generic gross-out/sex comedy rather than a “coming of age movie” - but taken solely on its own merits, it’s actually not a bad film at all. It’s definitely better than “Band Camp,” which was like watching a live action version of Beavis and Butt-Head. Beta House isn’t nearly as over-the-top-annoying…there are actually some pretty decent acting performances in it.
I would say this film does NOT deserve to be written off just because it’s a direct-to-video sequel. It’s really a pretty entertaining film.
Did anyone else enjoy it? I hope I’m not the only one.