 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Pie
- Review Date: September 4, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Ultra-raunchy sex comedy is a teen fave -- beware.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that teens talk about having sex explicitly in this film. Girls and boys masturbate, as well as give and get oral sex. There's discussion and depiction of premature ejaculation and faking orgasm, and boys talk about lying to girls to get them to sleep with them. And mostly, teens try to find out about sex without talking to their parents. This is a case where it would be good to watch the film ahead of teens, all of whom know about the series and probably want to watch it.
What's the story?
In AMERICAN PIE, Jim (Jason Biggs) is among the least experienced of his friends. He hasn't gotten to "third base," which his friends describe as feeling like "hot apple pie." While Jim is busy experimenting with scrambled porn and, well, his mom's baked goods, he and his buddies make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation. That means they've got to meet girls, break down their girlfriends' defenses about sex, and convince their classmates that they're more experienced than they are.
Is it any good?
More than anything, American Pie exploits teen anxiety about sex. One boy, Chuck Sherman (Chris Owens), spends the night at a party talking to a girl and getting close to her, then turns around and acts like they spent the night having sex -- much to the girl's anger. Then there are are the pricelessly funny sex talks between Jim and his dad (played with virtuosic dorkiness by Eugene Levy), and the performance anxiety of boys and girls trying to figure out how to relate to each other -- or not -- among the pressure from their friends to have sex and the pressure from their parents not to have sex. It's funny precisely because it's uncomfortable.
AMERICAN PIE upholds the tradition of horny teenage sex comedies made famous by the R-rated Porky's. The film is likely to entertain teens who are already thinking about sex, and its gross-out humor will appeal to fans of There's Something About Mary.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what teens think of sex, how many of their friends they think are having sex, and what parents think of teens having sex. It's also a good opportunity for parents to answer whatever questions teens may have, both about values surrounding sex and about safe sex.
Parents may also want to put an over-the-top comedy like this in perspective. The antics of these sex-crazed teens come at you fast and furiously, making some of the laughs mostly about the shock value. What other movies and TV shows reach for a laugh this way? (Jackass and South Park are a good start to the list.)
Do you think some teens will feel pressured about sex before they're ready by watching a movie like American Pie? Or do you think it's just a funny situation comedy?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
April 20, 2009
AGE
time waster
Pure disgusting trash
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
February 2, 2011
AGE
not for kids
this is excruciatingly funny but its over the top extremely raunchy parents i don't think you want to let your kids watch it until there old enough but i think mature teens and adults would enjoy this but for goodness sake do not bring this out on family movie night.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 14 years old
June 20, 2010
AGE
Ridiculous but funny
1st of all you don't go make a pack with your friends then go off and see who can loose there viginity 1st. (Guys, i just dont get it lol). I think that would influence young kids to go off and loose thier viginity with someone random, when they dont even know a thing. But i was laughing the whole time
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 15 years old
September 11, 2009
AGE
Great for anyone in highschool
First of all this is a great movie. second of all, this movie is good for anyone in highschool. There are plenty of cliche movies about seperation by jock and prep and nerds and losers but highschool isn't like that. Sure there are people who no one really talks too and people no one likes but in highschool, most people are just concerned about, their reputation, sex, and liquor. In fact in my highschool, atleast 65% of the students smoke marijuana and get high on a weekly and even daily basis. Atleast 15% of the freshman aren't virgins. Most teen girls won't care or will even be offended by the female nudity and trust me when I say, if your son is in highschool, he's seen porn. So if you honestly think there's something (other than an older women having intercourse with an 18 year old) in this movie your teens/high school students haven't already seen, then you're either protecting your kids too much, or your an.. um... politely, idiot.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
October 24, 2009
AGE
very good but not for kids
good movie mild nudity and some kussing a mature 14 year old can watch it
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 14 years old
June 26, 2009
AGE
A Great Teen Movie!
I love this film it is simply the teen movie ever created so far! It is very funny and it is not very bad, expect for two to three scenes but nothing a teenager has ever seen! It is a movie for teens!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
sex stuff is too much
HAte it
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
sex stuff is too much
HAte it
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
December 11, 2008
AGE
Not for kids
This movie is not for kids.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | high school |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Directors: | Gavin Hood, Paul Weitz |
| Cast: | Chris Klein, Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 1, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | December 21, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language and drinking, all involving teens |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
