Made my pilgrimage to Makati Cinema Square yesterday and came out with a pretty decent haul. The most charming surprise of the lot was the fourth installment of the American Pie series. In my research, it was released direct to video so my expectations weren't too high. Imagine my surprise when it was actually very well done. It had the usual overtones of those coming-of-age teen movies (nudity, crude jokes, romance, moral lesson) but it stayed true to the first three Pie flicks. So true that it was refreshing to see how much detail was put into the production design and casting of the movie.
First of all, we had some characters from the first few films reprising their roles. Eugene Levy was back in his role as Jim's dad, this time sitting in as a counselor at Band Camp. Chris Owen returned to the Pie series as the Sherminator - a few years older and now a vengeful guidance counselor. Tad Hilgenbrink played the main character, Matt Stifler, the younger brother of Seann William Scott's character. He played it to a tee. Stifmeister jr.
I also loved how elements from the past films were recreated. They used the same school. The same burger place. The same band camp. The director really paid enough attention to detail to ensure that this movie would seamlessly fit into the series.
Oh, and I have to mention that the love interest in the story is H.O.T. Her name is Arielle Kebbel. She played this wholesome girl all throughout the movie but I was surprised to learn that she has already graced the pages of Maxim. Lovely.
Oh yeah, for all those 80s porn freaks out there (Ahem, Rhochie, Ahem). Ginger Lynn Allen plays the camp nurse in this movie.
My recommendation: If you're a fan of the American Pie films, or if you are in need of something that can keep your mind off your troubles for two hours, I suggest you pick up American Pie Band Camp.
