Twenty years since American Pie (1999) was released there has been a further exploration of this film series, although, how does this film represent teens? Well, the teens in this film aim to lose their virginity by college, because what's more embarrassing than being a virgin? Well, wrong! I completed a dissertation on this very topic and heard that people were AFRAID to be a virgin in university. Firstly, sex is something that you should wait until you are ready, there is no time limit on it and you should not feel pressured.
As funny as American Pie is, it is giving off the wrong ideas surrounding relationships and sex. If you are similar to me then you may not have had the best sex education that is available, something probably similar to 'if you have sex you will get chlamydia and die' from Mean Girls (2004). Let's look at a particularly iconic scene in American Pie where Jim (Jason Biggs) is live-streaming the pretty foreign exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) for his friends, but accidentally sends it to the whole high school. Let's say that the likelihood is that Nadia is under 18, which she probably is because they are still in high school. Then this is incredibly illegal as it is distribution of child pornography! This live-streaming ultimately excites Jim but when he is asked to strip and 'dance' for Nadia, he's embarrassed and attempts to cover the camera.
However, there are some redeemable moments in this film. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) asks his brother for help so he can please his girlfriend in the bedroom, he then receives a book which acts as a guide to the female orgasm. It's actually quite interesting that for once, something pre-2000 is interested in female pleasure. Although, from the idea of representation and accuracy, I would say it could do better!
So do not take what you see on films to be 'perfect' or 'educational'. These films and TV shows could always answer the odd question, but they aren't designed to educate, do you think they could ever educate? Let me know in the comments.
As for my overall review, the comedy itself in the film outweighs the representation and illegal activity. I give it:
3/5 pies.
Also, this is why it's called American Pie. I bet you have lost your appetite now!
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