April 2000

American Pie: Unrated Version
Reviewed by Doug Schneider
DVD Format

Overall Enjoyment:
Picture Quality:
Sound Quality:
Packaged Extras:

Starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Shannon Elizabeth

Directed by Paul Weitz

Theatrical Release: 1999
DVD Release: 1999
Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen (Anamorphic)

What ever happened to those teenage sex comedies? The late ‘70s and early ‘80s were full of them, and then there was none. The most famous of these was probably Porky’s, but there were others too. In fact some were pretty good and included Valley Girl, The Last American Virgin and, of course, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Although set in the late 1990s, American Pie reminds me of these films. Has twenty years really gone by?

American Pie revolves around four male friends who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. Each design their own agenda for achieving this goal. While each character has his own story, for the most part the film focuses on Jim (Jason Biggs). Jim has a fondness for Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), a foreign exchange student who comes over to his house so he can help her "study." While Jim’s certainly interested in Nadia, he’s more interested in finding out what sex is about and what it really feels like. It’s from this perspective that the film earns its biggest laughs. For instance, Jim gets caught watching scrambled TV porno and has sex with his mother’s baked goods. His out-of-touch but well-meaning father (the perfectly cast Eugene Levy) attempts to help him through this awkward time. Another humorous and interesting sub-plot involves the school jock, Chris "Oz" Ostreicher (Chris Klein), as he turns his attention toward a girl in the choir played by Mena Suvari.

When released in the theaters American Pie instigated a lot of criticism due to its focus on sex. However, as someone who went through his teenage years in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s I can assure the moral minds of today that the way these kids are portrayed is far more innocent than the reality that faces most teenagers, back then or today. Some twenty years ago we certainly didn’t wait until graduation day, and I’m sure twenty years before that many didn’t either. While there are some crude jokes and the film does, quite literally, relegate to bathroom humor at times, for the most part both the males and females are portrayed as intelligent and are treated with respect. Some may accuse it of being just another exploitation story about males taking advantage of females; however, by the end of the film it is obvious that the males in this movie have far less control over their futures than they think.

There are two versions of the American Pie available on DVD, the regular theater version and this one, the supposed unrated version. When American Pie made its pass through the bastion of morality for American motion pictures, the MPAA, the group declared that a few cuts were necessary to get the rating that the filmmakers wanted. The minor cuts were made and the film went out so the teenagers of America could view it. Frankly, there’s hardly any difference between the theatrical and unrated versions. Once again, it makes one shake their head in disbelief with the way the MPAA rates objectionable material. As for the differences, the only really noticeable thing is a few seconds of Jim’s countertop boogying with the apple pie. I guess implied sex with baked goods is okay, the actual act, though, will warp ‘fragile little minds.’ For those hoping to see a little more of the delectable Nadia (I certainly was), you too are out of luck.

If you are going to buy one of these discs and price is no consideration (I’ve noticed that the unrated version is sometimes a bit higher in price), then you might as well see everything and get the unrated version. However, If you have the theatrical version already, don’t think you’re missing much.

Overall, the picture quality here is good, but a little dark and not as sharp as I thought it could be. There is a softness that some may like, but I found it just a tad too subdued. Contrasts seemed to be diminished, or at least obscured, as if the brightness knob needed to be turned up a click. Sound quality is good, but like the picture quality it is not outstanding like some DVDs. Surround effects are used sparingly, but effectively when needed. On the other hand, the extras included are excellent. There is commentary, interviews, outtakes, musical highlights, and even a section of classic quotes. I hoped for a few more funny moments in the deleted scenes. They’re good, but not as good as what’s included in some discs like Go and Boogie Nights. As for the classic quotes section, I found their selections a little strange because I thought there was some better ones in the film that never made it to this list. Nevertheless, my quibbles are minor in this regard. This is a fun-filled DVD.

I thoroughly enjoyed American Pie and laughed hysterically so many times that I thought I would need to be hospitalized. No, I’m not a teenager, but I guess I still act like one. Although I first saw it in the theater, I laughed harder the second time I saw it on DVD (although two of the film’s biggest laughs involving the "Band Girl" can’t be replicated in the same way after one sees it the first time). American Pie is not only suitable for multiple viewing, it’s suitable for a variety of age groups. Essentially, anyone who’s young at heart will enjoy it. While it will have the strongest appeal to those currently in their teens (or just out of them), much older audiences, particularly those who have fond memories of their teenage years, will love it too. As well, you may even learn a few new words that you didn’t know before. Do you know what a MILF is? Go see it!   

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