The "American Pie" movies have always been one of the more interesting movie contradictions: On one hand, they're too raunchy for most of their potential audience. On the other, they are at times too sickeningly sweet for the rest of their potential audience.
But that didn't stop the first two films from becoming hits. Nor has it stopped the third, "American Wedding," from using the same alternatingly sweet-and-sour formula.
Surprisingly, in some ways this one is the sweetest, most appealing of the three films. And not too surprisingly, it may be the raunchiest.
For example, the film contains the single funniest moment in the trilogy: a "dance-off" of sorts that may change the way you look at "Flashdance." It also contains the single most tasteless moment: a dog-doo gag that nearly ruins the movie.
The wedding referred to in the title is between Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) and his long-time sweetheart, Michelle Flaherty (Alyson Hannigan).
Among their friends and family, it's cause for celebration. Except for one person — foul-mouthed and even fouler-behaving Steven Stifler (Seann William Scott), who hasn't been invited to the wedding. For obvious reasons.
Still, he does manage to weasel his way in, by promising to teach Jim how to dance. (It turns out Jim's nervous that he's going to do something to embarrass himself and ruin the whole thing.)
Stifler and longtime nemesis Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) also find themselves competing for the attentions of Michelle's beautiful sister, Cadence (January Jones), who appears to buy into Stifler's sincerity routine.
The filmmakers made a wise choice here by giving more screen time to Hannigan's loopy, unconventional bride; hers may be the most interesting character here. Although Eugene Levy's endearingly clueless father is a close second.
As for Biggs, he may have been unsuccessful in everything he's tried outside these films, but he's well-suited to this bungling lead role. Same goes for Scott, as obnoxious as his character is.
Unlike so many other movies these days, this one is less than 100 minutes to ensure that it doesn't wear out its welcome. Well, not completely, anyway.
"American Wedding" is rated R for non-stop crude humor (gags and references about sexual and other bodily functions), frequent use of strong sexual profanity, female and partial male nudity (done for laughs), simulated sex and some slapstick violence. Running time: 98 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com