It seems like just yesterday, that the epic American Pie graced the silver screen. If you detect a sarcastic tone, that's because I am being sarcastic. I was not a fan of the first American Pie. Although I enjoyed the likable cast (with exception of the annoying Seann William Scott), I grew quite tired of the labored shock gags (i.e. the beer with the bodily fluid). With the huge success of that picture, a sequel seemed to be a given.

American Pie 2 gives us a glimpse into the lives of the same ensemble during the summer following their first year of college. Surprisingly, not much has changed. Jason Biggs' character is still unskilled in the ways of love, and continues to find himself in outlandish, compromising positions. Scott's Stifler is still a complete loud mouth, hell bent on making everyone else's life miserable. In fact, most of the goings on in American Pie 2 are nothing if not predictable. I guess the producers figured "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Again, this picture deals with a really likable cast most notably Biggs, Alyson Hannigan (reminiscent of a character in the 80's gem Real Genius), and Eugene Levy as the most loving and understanding father since Mike Brady. Many of the returning characters aren't given much to do. They just kind of show up in cruise control. Scott provides most of the crude comic relief as he did in the first film, and while he's still completely annoying, I detect that he has a good performance in him. In fact, castmates Scott, Biggs, and Shannon Elizabeth are all put to more effective use in Kevin Smith's superior Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Writer Adam Herz and Director J.B. Rogers strive awfully hard to make this more then just a crude comedy full of potty humor. The film even attempts to pull at the heartstrings with themes of love, friendship, and family. Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't. My favorite plotline deals with the relationship between Hannigan and Biggs. Although the outcome is completely obvious (as was the case in most John Hughes romance movies), I really liked their chemistry.

The American Pie films are essentially Porky's for a new millennium. The major difference here is that this sequel does manage to be a notch above the first. I can't say the same for Porky's 2: The Next Day. I'd also like to mention that a pie does make a cameo in this picture in case your wondering.