American Wedding (2003)

Jim is the groom, but American Wedding hands the movie to Stifler, and the series’ loudest guy never lets go of it. Seann William Scott throws himself into it, especially in a nightclub dance-off that’s the best scene, but a little Stifler goes a long way and here you get the family-size bag. Most of the other jokes go for gross-out shock, the kind you’ll never read about on this site. Jim’s whole arc is trying not to embarrass himself, which the movie keeps denying him. Fred Willard plays Michelle’s dad, working very hard to stay polite about his future son-in-law, and Finch posing as a rowdy guy to impress Cadence, while Stifler plays the gentleman, is a fun swap. Alyson Hannigan still makes Michelle the sharpest person in any room. It made $232.7 million worldwide on a reported $55M. A 4.2 because the cast is likable and the jokes are mostly volume. $3,088 says you get asked to say a few words at the next family celebration and panic harder than Jim at the altar.

What works: Fred Willard’s careful dad, Finch and Stifler swapping personalities to impress Cadence, and a dance-off that actually earns its laughs.

What doesn’t: Most of the jokes chase shock over wit, and Stifler is turned up so loud the wedding story barely gets a word in.

Who it’s for: Grown fans of the earlier movies who want to see the gang finally get Jim to the altar.