Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raunchy sequel recycles same formula, minus some laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Where to Watch
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American Reunion
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a hilarious addition to the franchise, appealing especially to older teens with its heavy use of profanity, sexual content, and nudity. While some find it less edgy compared to earlier installments, many still recommend it for a good laugh, though opinions vary on its suitability for younger audiences.
- funny
- inappropriate content
- adult themes
- age recommendations
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
It's been 13 years since the American Pie gang graduated from high school, and they've all grown up and gone their separate ways. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are still together and have added a kid to the family, Oz (Chris Klein) is a successful TV sports reporter, and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) seems to have dropped off the grid. But the siren call of an AMERICAN REUNION brings them all back home (they were a bit too disorganized to schedule it 10 years after leaving school), and they quickly find themselves rekindling old friendships -- and in some cases wondering whether the fire has truly gone out of some of those old flames. And of course, it wouldn't really live up to the original film's legacy of laughs if the entire weekend wasn't filled with liquor-fueled hijinks, thanks to inveterate troublemaker Stifler (Seann William Scott).
Is It Any Good?
Reunions are meant to remind you of the best of high school, but American Reunion serves as a reminder of a basic life lesson: Leave well enough alone. Though it's nice to see the gang all together again -- they did have amazing rapport in the original -- the bloom quickly falls off the rose, and it's clear that too much time has passed. We discover we don't much care anymore about the group, save perhaps for Jim and Michelle (and even then, it's only a little).
Since the first film was released, a stream of funnier, edgier ensemble movies and comedies has come and gone -- The Hangover, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Superbad -- and they've blazed newer, more memorable trails. The jokes here are tired; the takeaways predictable. (Marriage needs work? You don't say.) And the plotlines are flabby and bordering on creepy -- for example, the one about Jim and his next-door neighbor. It's a little like going to your own reunion and discovering that you're not as nimble, as hardy, or as, well, young as you once were. Only, if it was your own reunion, you'd hope to discover that you were wiser and better and happier. American Reunion, sadly, isn't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what teens think of 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.
Do you think American Reunion is raunchier than the original? How does it compare to other over-the-top comedies in recent years? What other movies and TV shows reach for a laugh this way?
How have the characters changed since their high school days? How are their relationships different? Do you think this is a realistic look at how friendships and marriage change over the years?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 6, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : July 10, 2012
- Cast : Alyson Hannigan , Jason Biggs , Seann William Scott
- Directors : Hayden Schlossberg , Jon Hurwitz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual content throughout, nudity, language, brief drug use and teen drinking
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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