Director
Paul Weitz

Cast
Jason Biggs
Seann Scott
Eddie Kaye Thomas

Music
David Lawrence

American Pie is about four desperate teenagers who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. Jim (Jason Biggs), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) are high school students in their senior year who think sex is something they must experience to be successful in their lives ahead. The four of them make a pact that they will each score on or before their prom. This is the kind of mentality that they maintain right up until the very end of the movie, when a transition occurs in each one of them. They soon learn that sex is not the most important thing in the world, and once they all succumb to this notion their search comes to an end. It's what happens along the way that gives us this comic relief,  In one scene Jim inquires what it feels like when you reach third base, to which one of his friends replies: “Like warm apple pie...”. Of course, this prompts the scene exposed in the trailers, in which Jim and a freshly baked pie have a very intimate moment in the kitchen corner.

As many of you might know by now , American Pie was released in two versions in the Good ole USA, the normal version which is alas what we have been given and an unrated version. The unrated version which I have seen is not that far different from the normal one except for a different pie scene (which I thought was funnier and of course more obscene) and you see a little bit more of Nadia in Jim's bedroom. If you've seen the film then you'll know what I mean. If you have not seen it yet, then you MUST just to see that scene which is eye candy of a different nature !!! 

Interestingly apparently our friends in Region 2 are also getting the unrated version so rumour has it, but that remains to be seen. But don't fret the unrated scenes are included in our disc albeit in the outakes section as part of the extras. But like I said the two are not that different anyway but here they are. In the unrated version you get to see....
 

• A slightly different version of Jim humping the pie. (As mentioned above)
• More graphic pages from "The Sex Bible". 
• More moaning from Vicki while Kevin puts the Bible to use. 
• Approximately 5 more seconds of Nadia pleasuring herself on Jim's bed. 
• Instead of "pale ale," Kevin asks Stiffler how the "man chowder" is while puking. 

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??

VIDEO
The transfer which is anamorphically framed at 1.85:1 is generally very good. However this transfer suffers from the same fate as the Region 1 counterpart in that it is very dark at times. The contrast level was set way too low for this DVD which does spoil the transfer. As the movie progresses it gets a little better but early on it's just plain distracting. That said it is very sharp, clear with excellent colour saturation. Flesh tones are natural and the image is clean and free of artifacts. Shadow detail is also spot on when it's not too bloody dark and the transfer is free of film grain. 

AUDIO
The disc contains an English only  5.1 channel Dolby Digital mix. The audio is really nothing to rave about, hey it's a comedy. The surrounds were used for ambient effects only and there is really little or no bass to talk about. Most importantly however is the dialogue which I found was clear and easy to understand. 

EXTRAS
Included are Behind The Scenes Featurette, Cast & Crew Audio Commentary (The commentary track is nearly as funny as the film and features Paul and Jim Weitz, writer Herz, and cast members Jason Biggs, Seann W. Scott and Eddie Kaye Thomas. It's exactly what you want from a commentary track: inside laughs, kidding among the participants and revealing anecdotes about the film. )Outtakes, Trailer, DVD-ROM Features, Classic Quotes, Production Notes & Talent Profiles. The extras really are fantastic and a great addition by CTS.

Overall a good if not gross at times comedy. If you don't mind abit of light hearted but over the top humour then you'll enjoy this film. 
    

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba 2109 Region Free
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995 (DD/DTS)
Speakers:-
     Fronts: Polk Audio RT55
     Centre: Polk Audio CS350
     Rears: Polk Audio AB705's 
     Sub: M&K V125 
 

- Reviewed 17th February 2000