American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 9, 2025

Jesse Dylan's "American Wedding" (2003) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include two archival audio commentaries; various cast and crew interviews; documentaries; and promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Reigon-B "locked".

The absence of several key characters is impossible to downplay because a proper American Pie film needs them. However, this is not the main reason Jesse Dylan’s American Wedding cannot match the quality of the other three American Pie films. A lot of material in American Wedding is underwritten, forcing its stars to create comedy in situations with limited potential, and there is plenty more where it feels like they are left to self-destruct with overused cliches. As a result, American Wedding looks a lot like a collection of random episodes, most of questionable quality, rather than a proper American Pie film that has a proper funny story to tell.

The event that unites most of the original characters is Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle’s (Alyson Hannigan) upcoming wedding. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) are invited to attend the wedding, but Stifler (Seann William Scott) is kept in the dark because he is deemed too big of a liability. Also invited is Michelle’s sister, Cadence (January Jones), who is single and ready to mingle. However, as preparation efforts are officially launched by Jim’s parents (Eugene Levy and Molly Cheek) and Michelle’s parents (Fred Willard and Deborah Rush), Stifler reappears and, upon realizing that he has been intentionally isolated, goes to work to prove that the wedding cannot happen without him. Stifler also engages in a fierce competition for Cadence’s heart, who has trouble choosing between him and Finch, now seriously entertaining different dating opportunities, but still thinking of Stifler’s Mom. In the ensuing chaos, Jim, Finch, Kevin, and Stifler make an impromptu trip to Chicago, where Stifler battles a popular gay celebrity (Eric Allan Kramer) on the dance floor of a famous nightclub on Halsted Street, who later helps them get Michelle’s dream wedding dress and spend time in the company of two very kinky exotic dancers.

Virtually all material that works rather well features Scott, who is the only actor consistently supplying his character with the proper energy and enthusiasm required to produce good laughs. Thomas perks up only in a couple of sequences, while Nicholas sleepwalks through the entire film. Biggs and Hannigan appear oddly detached even when they are in the middle of the chaos, suffering the consequences of Scott’s predictably bad decisions and worse actions. Levy, Cheek, Willard, and Rush are usually decorative pieces, reacting in situations where the younger actors are supposed to lead with authority.

Unfortunately, this is how American Wedding is scripted. It is not a dull and disappointing film, but there isn’t enough quality material for the actors to stay enthusiastic and continue exciting with their characters' antics. Dylan’s direction is unconvincing as well. Sometimes the camera is not in the right place, and sometimes it is just not patient enough to explore an event that could produce memorable moments.

American Wedding can be seen in two versions: Unrated Version, which is approximately 104 minutes long, and Theatrical Version, which is approximately 97 minutes long. One of the funniest moments can be seen only in the former.

American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.36:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, American Wedding arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

This release appears to have been sourced from the same master that Universal worked with to produce the first release of American Wedding in America, way back in 2012. I am not surprised because the master is very nice. It produces very healthy and vibrant visuals, often boasting spectacular colors that are impossible to dislike. Delineation, clarity, and depth are also very good. However, there are plenty of small yet noticeable fluctuations, some of which produce sporadic softness. I am not surprised because this softness is extremely similar to that observed on some anamorphic productions. A brand new master could have strengthened some of these areas where the softness is noticeable. However, I suspect that the improvements would have been marginal at best because the density levels are already excellent, and the dynamic range of the visuals is very, very good. I did not see any traces of problematic digital corrections. Image stability is excellent. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and did not encounter any issues to report in our review. In the right areas, it creates plenty of excitement, though it is not a track that deserves to be praised because the film's original sound design never demands that it does anything spectacular. It is just a solid track. All dialog is very clear, sharp, and easy to follow.

American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary One - this archival commentary was recorded by director Jesse Dylan and Seann William Scott for the Theatrical Version of the film. It is cheeky and informative at the same time, which is probably the best strategy to comment on a film that has very awkward moments and a sense of humor that is all over the place. I thought that the comments about the identity of the film, the dancing choreography, and editing choices were amongst the best.

• Commentary Two - this archival commentary was recorded by Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and Thomas Ian Nicholas for the Theatrical Version of the film. There is a lot of information about how various scenes were shot, some of the improvisation work that stayed in them, the quality of the comedy, etc. The entire commentary is one big trip down memory lane.

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are several deleted scenes, with introduction by writer/producer Adam Herz. Seann William Scott comments on a couple of scenes as well. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• Outtakes - presented here are several outtakes. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Stifler Speak - in this archival program, Seann William Scott discusses Stifler's vernacular and how and why it was expanded in American Wedding. Fred Willard, Jason Biggs, and Jesse Dylan, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Enter the Dominatrix: Inside the Bachelor Party - in this archival program, Nikki Ziering, who plays one of the striptease dancers, reveals how she prepared for her part and offers a backstage tour. Several actors comment as well. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Grooming the Groom - in this archival program, Jason Biggs, producers Craig Perry and Chris Moore, and several special effects guys discuss Biggs' "special character" and a few sequences with it. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Cheesy Wedding Video - presented here is raw footage from the shooting of Jim and Michelle's wedding. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Kevin Cam: A Day in the Life of an Actor - in this archival program, Thomas Ian Nicholas offers a quick tour of his trailer with an improvised music performance. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Nikki's Hollywood Journal - in this archival program, Nikki Ziering is seen preparing for the premiere of American Wedding. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Trailer - presented here is an original trailer for American Wedding. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Stills Gallery - presented here is a collection of production and promotional stills for American Wedding. Silent. (3 min).

• Card - one collectible lobby card.

• Booklet - 40-page illustrated booklet with cast and crew stills and behind the scenes photos.

American Pie: The Wedding Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Stifler's relentless energy and antics save American Wedding. His presence is also crucial in the other three American Pie films, but in American Wedding, he is the catalyst of everything that works well. Unfortunately, there is a lot more that is of questionable quality, which is why American Wedding is the least enjoyable of the four American Pie films. 88 Films' Blu-ray release offers a very good technical presentation of it with a large selection of archival bonus features. RECOMMENDED only to the fans.