Whoever owns the rights to "American Pie" is being pretty capitalistic about it. You can name twenty characters Stifler if you want, it doesn't change the fact that this is a rather uninspired effort to cash in which bizarrely works. You can judge it standing by itself, but just keep in mind it was never intended to stand by itself. So here Stifler's brother Matt (who's not even the same guy from "American Pie 2") is punished for pulling an on all levels pretty lame prank. The Sherminator meanwhile has become a school counselor and sends him to band camp, which as it turns out, currently employs Jim's Dad. It's like bad fan fiction came to life. So naturally he pulls more pranks on the rivals like, two. They get back at him like, once. The rest is filled up with very bothersome references to the actual "American Pie"-movies, semi-naked chicks and extremely irritating love subplots including a horrendously clichéd nerd you just can't possibly side with. Add a last fifteen minutes that's like the Siberian prison edit of "Family Matters" and you start wondering why it's still somewhat enjoyable. Perhaps it's the presence of Eugene Levy in yet another movie he's too talented for. The sunscreen gag was pretty good too I guess. This "American Pie presents" crap needs to end though, even if you don't give any thought to how a movie can present anything, it's still a thorn in the eye to the franchise.
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Sandcooler11 March 2008
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mjw230513 February 2006I have to admit, that i was expecting the forth edition to the American Pie series, with its almost complete absence of original characters (Except for Jim's Dad and the Sherminator) to be dreadful. Thankfully its actually pretty good, Tad Hilgenbrinck (Matt Stifler) pulls off an incredible performance as the Stifmeister's younger brother; its like Steve Stiflers back (really he's that good)
Matt Stifler is assigned to band camp, as punishment (revenge) by the Sherminator and that's where the trouble starts, more antic's involving instruments, cameras and Jim's dad follow and with plenty of laughs 'American Pie presents Band Camp' comes out with at least some credibility as a part of the American Pie Series.
Missable, but worth a look 6/10 -
The charm and the success of the previous 3 American Pie movies were its characters. "American Pie: Band Camp" focuses mainly on just one character, Matt Stiffler, the younger brother of Steve Stifler who we all know from the previous 3 American Pie movies. Tad Hilgenbrink really isn't bad as the new Stifmeister and he impersonates his older 'movie brother' pretty well and convincing but he however isn't given exactly wonderful material to work with. It also is too hard and too much for him to carry this entire movie on his own. The movie could had surely used some better sidekicks and other characters to help and make this movie a better one.
"American Pie: Band Camp" lacks some real good memorable moments and well executed jokes. There isn't ever really something hilarious or original happening in this below average straight to video teenage comedy. The story is too simple and it lacks some real depth and credibility. The movie also lacked some real good and fun witty dialog. It's a very flat movie with some simple and not always funny jokes and moments in it.
It's fairly good entertainment to watch but it lacks the characters and memorable jokes and moments from the previous 3 American Pie movies.
5/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/ -
A spin-off from the successful American Pie films, Band Camp features none of the series' central cast members, and only a couple of its peripheral ones, the action focusing on the antics of 'douche majeure' Matt, younger brother of the legendary Steve 'Stiffmeister' Stifler. After Matt (played by Tad Hilgenbrink, who does a pretty good Seann William Scott impersonation) goes too far with one of his practical jokes, he is sent to band camp for punishment, where he continues to cause all manner of trouble, at least until the predictably cheesy finale when he has an epiphany and changes his ways.
American Pie and its sequels are renowned for for their gross out humour, so Band Camp naturally does its best to emulate this style, being as outrageous as possible, with gags involving a variety of bodily fluids and bizarre sexual situations—some of which are reasonably amusing, most of which aren't. However, another major factor in the success of the American Pie series was the heartwarming friendships forged by its likable group of high-schoolers—and that is where Band Camp totally screws up! By concentrating the action on such a colossal jerk as Matt, a person who goes out of his way to alienate and irritate almost everyone he meets, Band Camp immediately sets off on the wrong foot and continues to do so until the very final scene.
Thankfully, the band camp that mischievous Matt is sent to is also attended by some extremely attractive girls, including rather delicious band-leader Elyse (Arielle Kebbel) and busty tuba playing babe Chloe (Crystle Lightning) which does mean that, from a bloke's perspective at least, making it through to the bitter end isn't quite as difficult as it could have been. -
Rob_Taylor11 September 2006Well, very nearly....
Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) makes an appearance as does the Sherminator, but they are far from the main stars. At the same time, they also, by simple virtue of their connection to the earlier movies, outshine the newcomers.
Not that any of the new cast are lousy but, and this is a big but, none of them stamp their authority on the franchise either.
Now, franchises are categorised by two things, continuing situations and continuing cast members. The situations here are not unfamiliar, but most of the cast is. This leaves you, at least at first, trying to figure out the character dynamics. Fortunately, its not hard, since little imagination has gone into this "effort".
Stiffler magically acquires a younger brother, that forms the main character of the film. To be fair, Tad Hilgenbrink does a pretty good Stiffler impression, but that's where the problem lies. He is so much like The Stiffler, that its difficult not to look at the situations and dialogue and think...this story was written for Sean William Scott.
Overall, the film is a sub-par rehash of the kind of comedy that made American Pie good. The fact that none of the major stars of the original are onboard again just kind of makes me think that it wasn't good enough. Maybe this was a script too far. Of course, the original actors are all too old to convincingly play the characters they once were. But as American Wedding showed, the franchise can evolve beyond the school years, given a sufficient driving force.
Anyway, Band Camp is easily the weakest of the Pie films to date and will do absolutely nothing to keep the franchise going. And perhaps, if this clumsy rehash of ideas is anything to go by, its a franchise that should be allowed to fade away. -
deatman921 June 2012This one is definitely the best of the American pie spinoffs but that really is not saying much.
This movie follows Stiflers brother, Matt stifler as he pulls a prank on the graduating class. He is sent to band camp for it and is forced to stay there with a bunch of nerds. So he decides to follow in his brothers foot steps and make a girls gone wild spin off video called band geeks gone wild.
This movie is not terrible by any means there is some pretty funny jokes. The acting is pretty bad from everyone except euegene levy of course. But overall If you like American pie movies i say its worth a watch. -
jasonklingensmith28 February 2006After hearing quite a few negative comments/remarks/reviews about this film, I had somewhat lowered expectations.
Not to mention the fact that it was following what is undoubtedly the greatest comedy trilogy of our generation, and perhaps arguably any other. Attempting to follow the footsteps of any of the American Pie's is quite a task, let alone all three.
Anyway, I expected disappointment. This was in no way as good or as funny as American Pie 2 or American Wedding, nor was it as groundbreaking as American Pie. But, there were certainly a lot of laughs. I was impressed at the acting of the guy who played Stiffler's younger brother.
As someone who basically grew up with the American Pie movie series, I'll always enjoy those movies, and watch them with a sense of nostalgia, for I was in similar points in my life to all the characters at the times the moview were originally released. For that reason this movie actually made me feel old.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, and am considering adding it to the collection. I'd say it's a solid 7-8 out of 10. Definitely worth watching, but not quite the caliber of the original three. -
boowiz4 November 2005What would happen if a retarded group of monkeys watched the first 3 American Pies and decided they'd like to make a fourth? American Pie: Bandcamp.
Tad Hilgenbrinck (Matt Stiffler) spends the majority of the movie trying to convince the viewer that he is indeed a Stiffler by doing a poor impersonation of Steve Stiffler. Congratulations Tad, you can mimic his facial expressions and laugh, now please, learn how to act. Even Eugene Levy can't begin to save this movie, and "The Sherminator" manages to be even more annoying than he's ever been. Amazing.
Horrendous acting, weak versions of rehashed jokes, disappointing gratuitous nudity: What does this movie have to offer? That's right, nothing. It's absolutely no surprise that this movie went straight to DVD and I am somewhat disappointed in myself that I could even sit through the entire thing. If you don't want to waste 2 hours of your life, please, don't watch this trash. -
It's not some great masterpiece of cinematography, of course, but the actors are acting well, the script , even it is as cliché as they get, it well written and the lead character makes a great Stifler act. I mean, I even wondered if the actor playing the original Stifler's brother is his actual brother!
Short story shorter: phony bad guy finds love and decides to come out of the closet and show the world his inner beauty. Lots of American Pie type jokes, but better than what I had expected and it was perfect for a sleepless night with nothing else to watch.
Bottom line: comparable in quality with the first American Pie. -
wes-connors12 October 2008Tenacious young Tad Hilgenbrink (as Matt Stifler, brother of Steve) is sent to "Band Camp" for monkeying around with his school's instruments. There, he plans to take moving pictures of women undressing. Go figure. Anyway, he falls for adorable Arielle Kebbel (as Elyse), which helps him make a "mature" decision about his stiffing collection. Erstwhile Eugene Levy (as Mr. Levenstein) is around, to help weakly provide "Pie" continuity. Not even half-baked shenanigans, for this fourth serving of the "American Pie" film franchise. Ms. Kebbel and the "playmates" are very sexy. Mr. Hilgenbrink makes a noteworthy first impression, in the starring role; but, this material is just mind-bogglingly weak. Whatever. Beats unemployment.
** American Pie presents Band Camp (2005) Steve Rash ~ Tad Hilgenbrink, Arielle Kebbel, Eugene Levy -
I walked into the video shop one day to get a few DVDs.. I glanced down and saw "American Pie: Band Camp". I thought "Wow, a new American Pie?". I was pretty sceptical but got it nevertheless.
When I returned home I looked up the film. I saw that it was never released at the movies and that it was a lower budget film with rookie actors as opposed to it's older brothers (AP 1, 2 and the Wedding).
So I started watching and from the start Tad Hildenrbink (who plays Matt Stifler) blew me away with his likeness to Steve Stifler and his charm and charisma. He was outstanding. Then a beautiful figure graced the screen and she went by the name of Arielle Kebbel. She was absolutely gorgeous and did a fantastic job in her role.
No, the movie wasn't anything like its predecessors but it has me hooked. There is just something about the movie that makes me watch it on a weekly basis. The story is great, I love the music used, the characters are awesome and when I watch this movie it makes me feel great. I love it and recommend it to everyone! 5 stars! -
endlessocean29 August 2005I have not seen all the AP films, so I just enjoyed this for what it was - quickly paced, light and fun. There is some real talent in this young cast and the sequence with the clarinet (?) or oboe - not sure - was hurt-yourself-laughing funny. The cast weren't all just blonds, and there was a story line with a multi-pierced tattooed girl which was a nice break in the stereotypes of what is "hot." The tight script and even handed directing elevates what could have been unbearable to a well - made enjoyably watchable film which had me in tears with some of the silly, but smart, set-ups.
I am surprised this is not coming out as a summer release. It was refreshing to see a light comedy about sex versus love. -
lazaroj26 November 2005It's a shame after 3 great movies that this atrocity was made. Its just plain terrible. When I picked this movie up I actually had no idea that they even made a fourth movie. The entire cast has been recycled with the exception of Jim's Dad and the Shermanator.
The movie has Stifflers brother going to band camp. Within the first 10 minutes there are at least 6 or 7 references to Steve Stiffler to the point where it's really hard not to turn it off. The acting is poor at best with many of the same gags recycled from the originals. Eugene Levy is brought back as a camp director but only plays a small role. Despite all of this what this movie really lacked was a plot. There is simply no story. Please don't watch this movie!!! -
SnoopyStyle16 February 2014Matt Stifler (Tad Hilgenbrink) is the younger brother of Steve Stifler. He's going to be a senior next year. After playing a prank on Elyse (Arielle Kebbel) and the school band, Stifler is punished by sending him to band camp by school counselor Sherminator. Nevertheless, Matt wants to be the next Stifler to do Girls Gone Wild type videos on the unsuspecting campers. Jim Levenstein (Eugene Levy) returns as the camp counselor to replace Jim's Michelle who's pregnant.
This is strictly the leftovers, a straight to video movie. Tad is no Seann William Scott. Other than Arielle Kebbel and Eugene Levy, there isn't any notable actors. The story makes no sense, but worse of all, it's not funny. Basically, it's an easy way to do a pretty good franchise with a lot of tits on the cheap. It's quick money for the producers. I never really cared about the idiot or about the movie. But there are a lot worst out there. -
steeda76312 December 2005I love the American Pie movies. I think they set a new standard for teen comedy flicks. But this installment just does not cut it.
This movie is absolute garbage. Nobody in their right mind wants to sit through an hour and a half of some kid doing a lame Steve Stifler impression. The rest of the acting was at most on par with some of the crappier made-for-TV Disney Channel movies, which to no surprise, some have the same director (Zenon was a real winner). Most of the profanity and "nude scenes" felt forced, as if they were there for prerequisite purposes only and offer no humor or shock value whatsoever. The aforementioned "nude scenes", by the way, are actually more or less left to the imagination, as each one cuts away before any real nudity happens (with the exception of Matt Stifler's corny bedroom game scene where you get to see 17 year old boy ass - who isn't looking forward to that!). Nudity isn't required by any means but it was definitely one of the stronger draws of the series. On the one hand we actually have high school aged kids realistically portraying their roles (as opposed to 25 year olds playing high school kids), but on the other that's where another fault lies: these are amateurish kid actors and are barely believable roles (Chinese gang member at band camp? sure!). The jokes are lame. The hidden camera stunts are old and uninteresting.
And I can understand Chris Owen may be short of work, but how did they manage to cast Eugene Levy in such a despicable role yet fail to cast the kid that played Matt Stifler from the first two movies, who was actually entertaining? Possibly because they blew the entire movie budget on Levy? I'd believe it! If it weren't for the ultra strategic placement of swear words and gratuitous wonder bra scenes, this should have been ABC Family or Disney Channel fodder, at best. The director should be downright embarrassed. -
jboothmillard7 November 2005This was the first of quite a few straight to DVD sequels in the American Pie franchise, and sadly, it is not a good start. Basically Steve Stifler's younger brother Matt Stifler (Tad Hilgenbrinck) keeps misbehaving at the school, he has to be punished by Chuck 'Sherminator' Sherman (Chris Owen) by being sent to Tall Oaks Band Camp to spend his time. At first he is obviously angry at the idea, but then he decides to buy a spy camera kit to get all the decent girls on camera. He especially wants to get the pretty Elyse (Arielle Kebbel) on video, but obviously when he is caught out, he realises his mistake. Also starring Rachel Veltri as Dani, Angela Little as Sheree and Omar Benson Miller as Oscar. While the amount of nudity and gross jokes (what all the sequels seem to rely on) is sort of okay, as an overall film it is just so boring, no laughs, no good performances, nothing new at all, don't bother with it. Pretty poor!
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SpeedyFromTheBerks1 February 2006American PIE PRESENTS BAND CAMP is a par above American WEDDING. Sure, some people will be disappointed because the only cast members from any of the other PIE movies are EUGENE LEVEY as JIM'S DAD and CHRIS OWEN as the SHERMINATOR. With that said, who better could of played Matt Stifler better than TAD HILGENBRINCK. This guy has got the whole stifler persona down to a T. Sure, it didn't have a huge theatrical release (did it have one at all?) but that doesn't make it a bad movie in anyway what-so-ever. There are some funny scenes in this film. One that really comes to mind is the scene where Matt Stifler has intercourse with a musical instrument and, unfortunately for him, his unmentionables get stuck. Also, the ending is a sappy one but this is still slightly better than American WEDDING. I can only hope that the good folks at UNIVERSAL will think about doing a movie in the franchise centering around EUGENE LEVY's character of JIM'S DAD, one of the funniest characters ever created.
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erin-21030 August 2005Saw screening at Mall of America and was bored out of my mind. Stifler's little brother completely unoriginal character. Completely annoying during first half of movie trying to prove with facial expressions and vocab that he's Seann William Scott, jr. Then there's this Asian band kid who overdoes the whole 'gangsta' thing, which gets old real quick. Mid-teens may like this movie. But myself enjoying the original American Pie felt that this was nothing new, and no creative effort was put forth whatsoever. Don't waste your money renting this bomb. I would recommend turning the channel if you happen to catch it on TV.
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nosering_girl12 March 2006Band Camp was the first of the American Pie series that I actually sat down and watched all of, but I'd seen parts of the others, and as a marching band member of many years, I've heard all the jokes more times than I can even count.
There's nothing I can say in my review about the quality of the movie that hasn't already been said, but I wanted to express my appreciation for this movie's experimentation with the idea (I wouldn't call it anything more) that band kids maybe aren't so bad. The lessons Stifler's brother learns about "bandies" (I think they called them in the movie) and about his brother's attitude are what I remember from this movie. Also, the bands used in the movie are actually all members of the prestigious Riverside Community College marching band, and the music was arranged by a brass arranger for Drum Corps International. Granted, I have been to band camp and it is still 95% nothing like the band camp presented in the movie, but it's also not completely off. Yes, I have been to band camp. Yes, we got drunk, but not in crazy sno-cone parties where everybody took their shirts off. No, this movie was not a cinematic masterpiece. But it is slightly more grounded in reality than its predecessors. -
ole-892 January 2006What a huge disappointment! I like the American Pie movies and specially the first two. I can't believe they were allowed to use the name American Pie for this movie. There are maybe to semi funny moments in the entire movie and after giving it more than a fair chance, I started fast forwarding through the second half of the movie. The ad for this movie was something like "Hilarious and sexier than ever!" It was no where near to being hilarious, more like painful I would say. And sure there are pretty girls in the movie, as you would have to have in a movie with a script this bad, to even get one person to watch it. None of the funny characters in the previous movies are present, but are replaced with one character (Stifler's little brother) who really isn't funny, just a poor copy of his brother, and all the other characters that aren't funny at all. I can feel that I'm getting annoyed just thinking about this movie again so I'm going to stop here.
So, save your money, buy something else or give the money to charity.
Ole -
bevo-136785 October 2020So many funny jokes it's hard to mention just one. Lots of boobs too
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cheemanjohn26 January 2006I had enjoyed fully all three previous American pie movies and could not wait to watch the fourth one-band camp. I suppose i got what i expected. though it is not as good as its predecessors its is throughly enjoyable. Tad has done a wonderful job and has done total justice to his role. This movie unlike its predecessors has only one key character and in Tad is successful in carrying the film alone. Playing the younger Stiffler (The role which Seann William Scott Played to perfection)was by no means an easy job for a new comer. I feel that Tad will go a long way as a actor. if u have seen the previous three pies then you will know that not to expect a story line but you know you will be refreshed and this is what this movie does
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doctor_empty7 December 2005Having been an avid American Pie fan since the 1999 release of the first film, I was most surprised to hear about Band Camp. It didn't hit the big screen. Now I see why.
I'm afraid I don't have many good things to say about this film. Essentially it failed to deliver, and it's hard to distinguish this film from a myriad others like it.
American Pie is almost a sub-genre of movie. Throughout the first three films a set of conventions are set up and I'm afraid to say that Band Camp just couldn't live up to the reputation of it's predecessors.
The level of swearing is a cheap distraction for the distinct lack of typical American Pie nudity, and the practical jokes that Stifler always seems to be the instigator of (as opposed of butt of) are poor cover for the lack of imagination. Excuse me, but haven't we seen the web cams somewhere before....? The film's 15 age rating is reflective of the swearing, not of the nudity (of which there is very, very little).
This film buys far more into the American high school stereotypes that original American Pie films managed to steer clear of. We have "the geek", "the jock" and "the tattooed rock girl", and to be honest, they're all rather tired.
The fact that a smattering of original cast members appear adds only slightly to the appeal of the film, and provide light relief from an otherwise unrecognisable American Pie title.
The film is typical "teen movie" fodder and although it delivers in the giggle department, the "aww" factor is overused. Do we really believe a Stifler to be capable of knowing true love? Come off it! It's the kind of movie a guy could watch with his girlfriend without her fearing his gawking at the nudity, and it plays upon the love theme that runs through it. Love seems to be the drive of the movie, not the back seat occupant, as in the other films of the series.
Watch it for the sake of seeing the closing chapter in a great franchise, but don't expect it to live up to the previous standards.
Watch it if you're an American Pie newcomer, but don't let it cloud your judgement of the previous three masterpieces. -
Despite the fact there is just few of original cast from previous parts, this film is honest sequel of his predecessors. This time it's not just raw hunt for sex, naked girls... This time, film make you think about life, love, and even band camp. You could hate band camp from previous parts, but after watching this movie, you will love it! I think that American Pie 4 is not necessarily the most funniest from the series, but is the most rational one. Also music is awesome, songs like Aeroplane, which melody you will love. This movie could exactly as lost fans for American pie as attract new ones. As I said, it's just different.
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ivko28 December 2005This movie is bad. Seriously bad. Outrageously bad. But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't watch it. Just don't watch it yourself because you'll be bored to tears. Watch it with a group of friends and have fun mocking it. And believe me, there is so much to mock here...
Where the original 'American Pie' was a surprise hit that showcased talented young stars and had a funny and even occasionally touching script, 'Band Camp' is filled with talent that could only have been culled from local high school drama clubs. And the script, such as it is, is literally built entirely around a one line joke from the original movie. So if you thought 'Pat, the Movie' and 'Stuart Smiley Saves The World' were brilliant comedic gems then this is the flick for you. Plus you'll like it cause' it has boobies!
But even if humor aimed at 12 year olds doesn't normally float your boat you can still enjoy this movie. Get it as a gag gift for one of your friends, gather around the tube, invent a drinking game having to do with pee and poop jokes, fire up whatever makes you happy and laugh your a** off. Movies this bad don't come around that often.