After the massive success of the first gross-out slice of "American Pie", another helping hits DVD. It's a busy disc too, but there's too much filler and not enough tasty filling on offer.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Filmed in a location of eternal good weather, the picture is bright and clean, even if the movie isn't.
Sound This disc boasts both a Dolby and DTS 5.1 sound mix. Trouble is, neither of them are anything special. Arguably the bass response during the numerous songs during the movie is better in DTS, but neither track has much to do in the way of effects, and you'll probably wonder why they bothered offering two.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary One This track is with director JB Rogers, and is the only one you need to listen to, because he takes us through the locations used, and the intentional comedic devices used to remind us of the first film.
Audio Commentary Two The smart thing to do would have been to pair writer Adam Herz with JB Rogers, for Herz covers much the same territory as the director.
Audio Commentary Three OK, it's the party commentary with actors Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, and Thomas Ian Nicholas. This track is marginally more fun than any of the others, but don't expect to learn much as the three try to keep it wacky, but end up sounding like they need script aid, and fast!
Audio Commentary Four The last track (thankfully!), and it's a lonely experience both for actor Eddie Kaye Thomas and the listener, as we stumble through a series of dull comments about the movie. Fact is, good commentaries are hard to do, and what should have happened here is that all of these should've been edited into one track, instead of four terminally dull efforts. This is yet another title that simply hasn't taken the time to realise extra features that will appeal to the target audience.
The Baking of "American Pie 2" If you want to learn more about the making of the movie, skip the four commentaries and get it all condensed into this featurette. At 25 minutes it's too long, simply because most of the interviewees spend too much time describing their characters. They clearly all have a good working relationship with one another, and that does shine through.
Outtakes and Deleted Scenes These two sections are the only extra features that you need visit on this DVD. The outtakes are amusing, and some of the deleted scenes are quite good.
Special Scene Selection Menus There are three additional scenes selection menus on this DVD, which are quite handy if you want to select moments with favourite quotes, naughty moments, or music highlights. These include selections taken from the first movie.
Additional Extra Features Trailer with a Jason Biggs intro that nicely parodies the safety warning on "The Fast and the Furious" DVD, music video, production notes, and cast and crew biographies and filmographies. Plus there's an Easter Egg to find, although prepare to be mocked when you do!
Region: 2
Chapters: 20
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, English and Hindi subtitles.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
