American Reunion Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video presentation of "American Reunion" delivers a satisfactory high-definition experience with commendable refinement during close-ups and discernible definition in mid-level camera pans. The color palette sets the film’s thematic tone, delivering bright and eye-catching hues that contribute to a clean and depthful rendering. Flesh tones align well with the overall visual aesthetic, maintaining a slightly balmy but natural appearance. Whites are crisp and bright, while blacks, though occasionally appearing less dynamic and somewhat elevated, suit the movie's visual style. Minor aliasing and edge haloing are present but not distracting, contributing to a clean viewing experience free of pervasive artifacts or anomalies.

Detail levels in "American Reunion" are solid, with consistent texture throughout scenes, though some sections do exhibit inherent softness. Ambient film grain is evenly spread across the screen, enhancing the fine textures without becoming overwhelming. However, issues such as detail-draining crush during the titular reunion scenes and sporadically fluctuating contrast levels are noticeable. Black levels occasionally lack depth, appearing muted rather than rich, particularly in darker scenes. Skin tones can appear unnatural at times, skewing towards orange or red hues, which is a slight distraction but remains true to the intended aesthetic as envisioned by the filmmakers.

While not a consistently eye-popping disc, "American Reunion" provides a deep and visually satisfying viewing experience with constantly noticeable facial details and stray hair pops that add to the film's texture. Occasional splotchy or undefined hair and the presence of minor noise in dark shots, which may lose some detail, do not significantly detract from this presentation. Overall, the Blu-ray’s video quality achieves a proficiently encoded and faithfully presented version of the film, ensuring fans a pleasant visual experience that aligns with the series' aesthetic intentions.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "American Reunion" delivers clear, articulated dialogue that remains prominent across the front three channels, ensuring that voices never get buried beneath the boisterous activities and reunion festivities. The mix is generally balanced well, employing the entire soundstage judiciously to create an immersive atmosphere when necessary. While the film doesn't heavily rely on surround sound, the rear speakers do offer subtle support, particularly during chaotic scenes filled with property destruction, loud music, and Stifler's notorious antics. Low-end output is generally adequate, enhancing the dynamic range during more energetic sequences with decent LFE channel integration.

However, the audio experience isn't without its drawbacks. While the bass response is appropriate and supports both music and action sequences, it tends to be restrained mid-film, and there are moments where the subwoofer output feels lacking. The directional cues and panning are smooth but not particularly remarkable, and there are instances of painfully obvious ADR work that detract from the overall experience. Additionally, localized effects are rarely employed, and rear ambiance is minimal, often limited to music bleeding with very little environmental activity. Fans will find the soundfield playful and enjoyable during misadventures but may wish for a more dynamic and engaging auditory experience throughout the entirety of this somewhat big-budget production.

The Blu-ray extras for "American Reunion" provide a robust additional experience for fans, featuring a mix of humorous, behind-the-scenes, and interactive content. The commentary track from co-writers/directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg delivers insightful details on unused ideas, enhancing the viewing experience. Notable features include a variety of deleted and extended scenes, showcasing moments that didn't make the final cut. Interactive features like “The out of control track” with cast commentary add a dynamic layer to the film. Short featurettes and gags reel offer glimpses into the cast's camaraderie and on-set antics, providing plenty of laughs. The “American Reunion Yearbook” is an excellent interactive feature that revisits characters from the entire series.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature commentary with co-writers/directors Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg: Insightful commentary on unused ideas.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Includes additional scenes not in the final cut.
• Alternate takes: 4 minutes of different versions of scenes.
• Gag reel: 3 minutes of bloopers and laughs.
• The out of control track: Interactive in-film feature with cast commentary.
• The “Reunion” Reunion: RE-launching the series: 10-minute featurette on the series' reboot.
• The best of Biggs: Hanging with Jason B.: 3 minutes on Jason Biggs.
• Lake Bake: 4-minute featurette.
• Dancing with the Oz: 2 minutes on Klein's character.
• American Gonad-iators: The fight scene: 4-minute featurette on the climactic fight scene.
• Jim’s Dad: 2-minute featurette on Eugene Levy's character.
• Ouch! My balls: 2 minutes of onset pranks.
• American Reunion Yearbook: Interactive yearbook overviewing characters from the series.
• BD-Live enabled.
• Pocket BLU.
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy.
• Digital Copy.
• Bonus DVD.

American Reunion brings the original American Pie cast back to East Great Falls in an attempt to recapture the glory of their high school days. Unfortunately, what ensues is a predictable and uninspired rematch of old flames and forgotten friendships. Despite the promise of hilarious and raunchy fun, the film fails to evolve beyond its predecessors' humor and character arcs. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) struggle with marital issues, while old friends Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Stifler (Seann William Scott) face stagnant personal challenges that feel oddly out-of-date.

The narrative stretches believability by setting the reunion thirteen years post-graduation, arousing skepticism from the get-go. The inconsequential nature of this interval does little to enhance the story, making it difficult to engage with character developments that seem forced and disconnected. Moreover, many returning characters like Vicky (Tara Reid), Heather (Mena Suvari), and even Stifler’s mom (Jennifer Coolidge) are shoehorned in, providing minimal impact on the overall narrative. The episodic script and lackluster performances leave little room for genuine character progression, largely relying on nostalgic callbacks rather than substantial humor or insightful commentary on growing older.

Technically competent, American Reunion's eleven-year gap does little to infuse new life into these stale relationships. The film’s comedic highlights, notably Finch’s sophisticated demeanor and Stifler’s retaliatory antics against jet-skiing teens, provide brief moments of laughter. However, the film’s overall execution is marred by unfocused plots and rehashed jokes. The chemistry among the cast feels diminished, further exasperated by an obligatory parade of previously minor characters causing the narrative momentum to sputter. In essence, American Reunion serves more as a reminder of better teenage comedies than a revival worth noting in the annals of its genre.

"American Reunion" is an attempt to rekindle the youthful charm of its predecessor but ultimately falters under the weight of an aging franchise. The film gathers the original cast, aiming to evoke nostalgia, yet struggles to provide any meaningful payoff. As each character makes a brief return, the intent seems more like checking a box than furthering the storyline, resulting in a fragmented narrative. For fans of the original "American Pie," this reunion might stir some fond memories, but for the uninitiated or those who have outgrown the series, it feels like an unnecessary revisit.

Universal's Blu-ray release does little to counterbalance the movie's lackluster execution. While the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track delivers robust sound quality, enhancing musical cues and dialogue, the visual presentation is adequate but not remarkable. There are noticeable inconsistencies and occasional visual artifacts that detract from an otherwise fair experience. The supplemental features, though present, fail to add substantial value or deepen the viewer's engagement with the film.

In conclusion, "American Reunion" offers very little beyond a trip down memory lane for die-hard fans. Its fragmented structure and aimless narrative are poorly masked by its passable audio-visual quality on Blu-ray. Consider renting it for a nostalgic evening rather than investing in a full purchase; there's little here that warrants repeated viewings or a spot in your collection.