American Pie 2 Movie Review

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 the inevitable assembly-line sequel "American Pie 2."

Pastry-plugging loser Jim (the insufferable Jason Biggs) is waiting for a visit from Swedish exchange sexpot Nadia (the vapid Shannon Elizabeth), whose interest in him still isn't adequately explained. Loud-mouthed lecher Stifler (Seann William Scott) is still obsessed with nailing anonymous bimbos. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is still obsessed with bedding Stifler's mom (Jennifer Coolidge).

Oz (Chris Klien) is still hopelessly devoted to Heather (Mena Suvari), who only shows up about three times in the movie, calling on the phone from Europe. Freaky flutist Michelle (Alyson Haningan) is back at band camp, where Jim pays a visit for sexual advice. Former virgin Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is pining for former virgin Vicki (Tara Reid), who has moved on.

Blah, blah, blah.

Director J. B. Rogers ("Say It Isn't So") offers up a lethargic helping of everything that's expected of him, including the token extreme gross-out gag (urine shower anyone?), a couple ante-upping sexual embarrassments (Biggs has a super-glue mishap while masturbating) and a handful of bare breasts. Then, just like its predecessor, "Pie 2" abruptly abandons its puerile essence to make a pathetic and dishonest play for romantic sincerity and "a summer we'll never forget" sentimentality.

What's worse, this movie is so bereft of vitality and talent that even the relentless 36-song soundtrack can't give it any punch. With the notably entertaining exceptions of the hyperactive Scott and the kooky Haningan, the entire cast seems to have phoned in their parts, embarrassed to still be tethered to this pubescent rubbish now that so many of them are trying (and for the most part failing) to move up a rung or two in respectability.