American Pie 2

Back from their freshman year at college, the sex-crazed gang from American Pie rent a beach house and party hardy for the summer in this inevitable assembly-line sequel. Director J. B. Rogers (Say It Isn't So) offers up a lethargic helping of everything that's expected, including the token extreme gross-out gag (urine shower anyone?), a couple ante-upping sexual embarrassments (Jason Biggs has a super-glue mishap while masturbating) and a handful of bare breasts. Then, just like its predecessor, this second slice abruptly abandons its puerile essence to make a pathetic and dishonest play for romantic sincerity and "a summer we'll never forget" sentimentality. Bereft of vitality and talent, the entire cast--Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, etc.--seems to have phoned in their parts, embarrassed to still be tethered to this pubescent rubbish now that they're trying (and for the most part failing) to move up a rung or two in respectability. Not a necessary purchase. (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 13, 2012—Universal, 111 min., not rated, $19.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2001's American Pie 2 boasts a solid transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Extras carried over from the previous DVD release include both the unrated and rated versions of the film, four audio commentaries (the first with director J.B. Rogers; the second with writer Adam Herz; the third with costars Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, and Thomas Ian Nicholas; and the fourth with costar Eddie Kaye Thomas), “The Baking of American Pie 2” production featurette (24 min.), deleted scenes (11 min.), outtakes (6 min.), “Good Times with Cast and Crew” (5 min.), the music video “Be Like That” by 3 Doors Down, and trailers. Blu-ray extras exclusive to this release include “A Look Inside” featurette on the upcoming fourth film (4 min.), bonus DVD and digital copies of the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for a dismal comic sequel.]