American Wedding (2003)

Directed by Jesse Dylan. Starring Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Eddie Kay Thomas, January Jones, Alyson Hannigan, Eugene Levy, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Deborah Rush, Fred Willard, Eric Allan Kramer, Angela Paton, Amanda Swisten, Nikki Ziering, Molly Cheek. [R]

Third entry in the American Pie franchise was designed as a finale, which is just as well since all shreds of inspiration and ingenuity have dried up. Jim (Biggs) and Michelle (Hannigan) are tying the knot while rivals Stifler (Scott) and Finch (Thomas) both vie for the affections of Michelle’s bridesmaid sister (Jones); even more so than the last two, Nicholas is given nothing to do, and he follows through on that task. Just one humiliating and/or puerile scenario after another, resulting in far more groans than guffaws (and quite a few yawns, too). Nothing about the Jim/Michelle relationship encourages invested interest, which makes its occasional dips into saccharine sentimentality as distasteful as witnessing one of these guys devour dog feces, and there’s far too much of Stifler’s obnoxious vulgarity and abuse this time around…but at least Scott brings a little energy to the listless proceedings. Unfortunately, this did not bring the main series to a close, as American Reunion would arrive about a decade later. A few of the franchise’s recurring performers (John Cho, Jennifer Coolidge, etc.) make token appearances, but no sign of Chris Klein, Chris Owen, and most of the actresses; the explanation of Klein’s absence ended up on the cutting room floor.

36/100