American Reunion Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

American Reunion Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 4, 2025

Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg's "American Reunion" (2012) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by the filmmakers; various cast and crew interviews; deleted and extended scenes; alternate takes; original trailer; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Forever young

For nearly two hours, American Reunion works very hard to make its audience laugh the same way the previous American Pie films did. It brings back all of the original characters and they almost immediately begin misbehaving in very predictable ways. However, American Reunion does something that the other American Pie films do not. While it argues that age is just a number, it also acknowledges that life is a journey that inevitably comes to an end. Because this acknowledgement is done in the most casual of ways, at the perfect moment, while the laughs never stop, the ripple effects from it produce many unexpectedly terrific, illuminating contrasts.

Thirteen years later, the guys are preparing to attend a high-school reunion, which has forced them to make various irritating adjustments to their seemingly comfortable but imperfect lifestyles. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), still married but now sexually frustrated, are bringing their little boy with them. Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy), now a widower, will host them. Oz (Chris Klein), now a famous but unhappy sports anchor, is bringing his partner, a bubbly blonde who loves his money more than she does him. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) has also started a family, but is coming alone. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), having traveled the world, is coming from an undisclosed location, riding his bike. Stiffler (Seann William Scott) is taking a break from serving a pretentious businessman (Vik Sahay) and coming alone, too. However, unlike the other guys, who have shared their travel plans via social media, Stiffler has been kept in the dark.

After Jim, Oz, Kevin, and Finch meet in a bar, Stiffler accidentally bumps into them, and the reunion activities are officially launched. Soon after, Oz meets Heather (Mina Suvari), who is in a relationship with a loopy surgeon, and realizes that he is still in love with her. Kevin makes a similar discovery after reuniting with Vicky (Tara Reid). After accepting an invitation to attend Stiffler’s party, Jim’s Dad hooks up with Stiffler’s Mom (Jennifer Coolidge). At the main event, The Sherminator (Chris Owen), Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), and Jessica (Natasha Lyonne) reappear, while Finch’s Mom (Rebecca De Mornay) accidentally discovers Stiffler.

Directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, American Reunion very much feels like a close relative of Lawrence Kasdan’s The Big Chill, which also reunites a group of close friends but for a funeral. Obviously, American Reunion prioritizes laughs over truths about aging and disillusionment, but if one listens closely to how the main characters in both films summarize the ups and downs in their lives, it is very easy to tell that many of their discoveries are identical. In American Reunion, the main characters are just slightly younger and placed in a more recent environment, where some of the illuminating contrasts preceding their discoveries are a tad more explicit.

The screenplay is excellent. It skillfully ties past events to new developments and maintains the original characters' authenticity. This is not as simple as it sounds because now they must reveal a more mature yet still legitimate side of their personalities as well.

American Reunion can be seen in two versions: Unrated Version, which is approximately 114 minutes long, and Theatrical Version, which is approximately 112 minutes long.

American Reunion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, American Reunion arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

The entire film looks gorgeous in high-definition. Most of the time, the quality of the visuals is on par with that the recent 4K Blu-ray releases of American Pie and American Pie 2 offer. Some of the close-ups, in particular, look stunning. The beach footage looks fantastic, too. Color reproduction and balance are excellent. Obviously, American Reunion was not shot and finalized as the previous two films, so there are some small discrepancies -- for example, some shadow nuances in darker areas have a different native appearance -- but I think it is fair to declare that delineation, clarity, depth, and color reproduction are equally convincing, which is why all three films look great now. I did not encounter any digital anomalies to report. Image stability is outstanding. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

American Reunion 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.

I chose to view the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I suspect that American Reunion has an all-digital soundtrack, which is perfectly replicated by the 5.1 track. Clarity, sharpness, and depth are excellent. Balance is great, too. I did not notice any anomalies to report in our review.

American Reunion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by writers/directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg and can be heard on the Unrated Version of American Reunion. The commentators, both big fans of the original film, discuss the many touches they did to ensure that American Reunion preserves the integrity of the original characters and the type of laughs they became famous for. Also, there are many good comments about the evolution of the relationships between the friends (and why many people felt bad about Stiffler), the continuity of the MILF theme, and the serious material that frequently overlaps the comedy.

• Saving Best Piece for Last - in this program, composer Lyle Workman mentions some of the comedies that inspired him as a youngster and explains how he became involved with American Reunion and what was the type of music he felt was right for it. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• The "Out of Control" Track - this option allows you to view American Reunion with sporadic comments by various cast members, as they pop up at the bottom of your screen.

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are several deleted scenes. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Extended Scenes - presented here are several extended scenes. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

• Alternate Takes - presented here are several alternate takes of key scenes. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Gag Reel - in English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• A Look Inside - presented here is footage from the shooting of American Reunion with short comments from various cast members and the two directors. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• The "Reunion" Reunion - in this program, writers/directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg and various cast members recall what it was like to reunite for American Reunion. Also, there are some interesting comments about the shooting of the film in the Atlanta area. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• The Best of Biggs" Hangin' with Jason B - Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg explain why there are fans of Jason Biggs and several cast members comment on their work with him. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Lake Bake - in this program, production designer Bill Arnold and cast members discuss the filming of the beach footage. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Dancing with the Oz - a short program about Oz's transformation into a famous dancer. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• American Gonard-Iators: The Fight Scene - a short program about the more violent bits from American Reunion with comments from cast and crew members. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Jim's Dad - a short program about Jim's Dad and his antics in American Reunion. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Ouch! My Balls! - apparently, during the filming of American Reunion, some of the guys spent plenty of time punching each other's balls. Presented here is footage showing them attacking each other. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• International Set Visit - presented here is raw footage from interviews that cast members gave during the production of American Reunion. In English, not subtitled. (43 min).

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

• Stills Gallery - presented here is a collection of production and promotional stills for American Reunion. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Book - 40-page book with cast and crew stills and behind the scenes photos.

• Card - one collectible lobby card.

American Reunion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is immediately obvious that American Reunion was conceived and shot by genuine fans of the original film. It brings back all of the original characters for one final adventure that ends up being surprisingly illuminating. While their environment is very different, these characters now have a lot in common with those introduced in The Big Chill. 88 Films' lavish Blu-ray release offers a gorgeous presentation of American Reunion with many interesting and hilarious bonus features. If you decide to pick it up for your library, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.