Cast:
Jason Biggs as Jim Levinstein
Seann William Scott as Steve Stifler
Alyson Hannigan as Michelle Flaherty
Eddie Kaye Thomas as Paul Finch
Thomas Ian Nicholas as Kevin Myers
January Jones as Cadence Flaherty
Eugene Levy as Jim’s Dad
Molly Cheek as Jim’s Mom
Deborah Rush as Mary Flaherty
Fred Willard as Harold Flaherty
Angela Paton as Grandma Levinstein
Eric Allan Kramer as Bear
Amanda Swisten as Fraulein Brandi
Nikki Ziering as Officer Krystal
Summary:
The third film in this unlikely comedy franchise, American Wedding retreads all of the plot devices that made the first two films enjoyable. And you know what? It still works.
Story:
With East Great Falls High now just a memory, the kids have grown into young adults ready wreak havoc with a new rite of passage. Hapless dork Jim has decided to pop the question to nymphomaniac band geek Michelle. She accepts and the two embark on a laugh-filled ride to bring the day of their dream day to fruition. Will Michelle’s parents, who have never met Jim, approve? Will the gang – sans a few notable members – be able to keep Stifler off the guest list? Will she get her dress? The flowers? And what about the bachelor party?
While everybody else sweats and frets, Jim’s Dad is cool as ever, dispensing advice that no one wants to hear and getting ready for one of the best days of his life.
American Wedding is rated R for sexual content, language and crude humor.
What Worked:
Part two of the franchise realized that most fans of the first film wanted more Stifler – the obnoxious, expletive-flinging, hormonally-charged jackass that is the bane of Jim and his friends – most notably Finch. Part three, though being marketed around the idea of Jim and Michelle’s wedding, really is no different. This is Steve Stifler’s franchise. The absence of Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Shannon Elizabeth and Chris Klein make Stifler’s role all the more major. Much like the previous films, Stifler gets involved in a slew of whacked-out scenarios including a dance off at a gay bar, a dubious chocolate truffle and a blind encounter in a linen closet. All of them
are drop-dead funny!
The dialogue between Stifler and Finch is pretty sharp, especially when it revolves around their dueling courtship of Michelle’s sister Cadence. The role-reversal scene at the restaurant gets big laughs.
Jim and Michelle’s story almost take a backseat to the rest of the chaos that surrounds them, including the introduction of Michelle’s dog-loving parents.
What Didn’t Work:
It would have been nice to have the whole gang back for this third film, or at the very least an explanation to where everyone was. Of the missing original gang, only Elizabeth’s Nadia is mentioned by name, and that was in passing only. Where’s Oz, Vicky, Heather, etc
?
Even with the smaller cast, it is almost as if Nicholas’ Kevin really didn’t need to be there either. He has very little to do here.
Some of the gross out humor in American Wedding is well gross. I noticed at least two people at the screening noticeably cough and gag at one scene in the film. You’ll see it coming, just be prepared!
The Bottom Line:
In all, I liked American Wedding
probably more than the last American Pie movie. Rumor has it, this is not the last ‘American’ movie, but if it does end here, it will end on a high note.
