Synopsis:
It’s Senior year at East Great Falls! Annie, Kayla, Michelle, and Stephanie decide to finally harness their girl power and band together to get what they want their last year of high school. The boys won’t know what hit them when these sassy sweethearts are calling the shots.
When I think of crazy, teen-hijinks movies the American Pie franchise and its spin-off series American Pie Presents is usually what comes to mind. Not only do they have a cult fanbase but every installment speaks the language and knows the trends of the current generation that it’s presenting itself to. American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules is no different. Its content and writing are topical and it’s a wild ride from beginning to end. Operating like a soft reboot, Girls’ Rules is reminiscent of the original film but this time from the perspective of four teenage girls. Unfortunately, the one notable missing piece is Eugene Levy’s Mr. Levenstein but the new horny and empowered principal makes up for some of that awkward comedy. The overall messaging is about going after what you want, girl power, and friendship but with the Stifler legacy living on, this entry fits snug in the series like blue dental dam (it’ll make sense once you’ve watched it). Even with the shenanigans operating on a high level, the movie has plenty of heart making it not just something funny to watch, but one that you can attach to. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you won’t be disappointed. Overall, this movie is a fun break from reality and we could all use that right about now. Its rewatchability is high.
Plot & Pace
The movie follows four friends, Annie, Kayla, Michelle, and Stephanie as they prepare to conquer their senior year of high school. Realizing it’s their last chance to put on stamp on their time at East Great Falls, the young ladies decide to make a pact to go after the things they really want. However, they make their deadline homecoming and some agreed upon goals are harder to obtain than others. In addition, when a new guy catches the attention of the girls, things get more interesting and the hijinks begin. The film moves at a familiar American Pie pace, so it’s pretty entertaining and busy all the way through.
Characters & Chemistry
While the cast has great chemistry, the two that stuck out most were Annie (Madison Pettis) and Grant (Darren Barnet). With Grant being the smooth, mature, and sure of himself, it pairs well with Annie’s nervousness and awkwardness. Pettis definitely had some moments that rivaled Jim from the original series. A pleasant surprise was Stephanie Stifler (Lizze Broadway). It’s interesting seeing a Stifler that isn’t a buffoon but still lives up to Stifler standards. Kayla (Piper Curda) and Michelle (Natasha Behnam) help round out the group. They add more texture and it’s refreshing to see on film, a female friend group that is made up of very different personalities and they actually like each other.
American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules releases October 6th on DVD, Digital, and VOD and will soon be coming to Netflix. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: Mike Elliott
Writers: Blayne Weaver, David H. Steinberg
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 35m
Rating: 3 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
