Ten years after Steve Stifler and his friends created legendary raunchiness for the millennial generation to remember, American Pie Presents: The Book of Love returns to reclaim the comedy throne, but this time it becomes the most overlooked installment in the franchise. Is it as fun as rumored, or just riding on past glory? The editorial team invites you to find the answer in this review.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Three best friends, Rob (Bug Hall), Lube (Brandon Hardesty), and Nathan (Kevin M. Horton), are about to graduate high school but still lack sexual experience. They accidentally discover a secret manual, 'The Book of Love,' hidden in the school library, which is said to be a guide to successfully picking up women that has worked for generations. They plan to use this manual to lose their virginity before graduation, but of course, the path is not easy. Every time they follow the manual, it turns into hilarious disasters that lead them to interesting girls like Heidi (Beth Behrs) and Dana (Melanie Papalia). The chaotic story begins.
Acting and Characters
The three lead actors do a passable job, though not as outstanding as their predecessors in the first film. Bug Hall as Rob has a charming nerd appeal, but Brandon Hardesty as Lube comes off as too forced as the clown. Kevin M. Horton plays Nathan as the most normal of the group. The girls, Beth Behrs (Heidi) and Melanie Papalia (Dana), perform well within their roles, which are quite shallow. Most characters are just archetypes we've seen in typical teen comedies, with no depth to remember.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director John Putch, who previously helmed American Pie Presents: Band Camp and The Naked Mile, returns to create the same old fun. The visuals and lighting are standard TV movie quality, nothing remarkable. The soundtrack uses generic 2000s pop-rock, fitting the atmosphere but not memorable. A commendable point is the tight editing; the film runs only 93 minutes without dragging, but at the cost of too little depth in the story.
Editorial Analysis
As the American Pie franchise reaches its 7th installment (including main and spin-off films), the freshness begins to fade. American Pie Presents: The Book of Love tries to create its own identity by centering on a 'manual,' but most of the content loops back to previous installments: nerds trying to lose their virginity and encountering chaos. The film lacks charismatic characters like Stifler or Jim, making it just an ordinary teen comedy that might get a few laughs but is ultimately forgettable. For hardcore fans, this return might evoke nostalgia, but for general viewers, it may feel like 'just that.'
Verdict
If you're a die-hard fan of the American Pie franchise wanting to complete your collection, this installment is watchable. But if you're looking for a teen comedy as hilarious and charming as the first film, the editorial team recommends going back to the 1999 original, as its flavor remains fresh.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Short runtime of 93 minutes, not dragged out
- +Occasional teen-friendly jokes
- +Performances by Bug Hall and Beth Behrs add some color
👎 Cons
- −Repetitive story, lacking freshness
- −Shallow characters with no depth
- −Most jokes feel dated and predictable
Top Cast
FAQ
No, because it's a story with a new set of characters. Although there are Easter eggs linking to the first film, it can be understood on its own.
Rated R (18+) in Thailand due to sexual content and inappropriate language.
It was released on DVD and digital on December 22, 2009.
