Jason Biggs, left to right, Eugene Levy and Alyson Hannigan in the film "American Wedding." (Gannett News Service, Vivian Zink/Universal Pictures). American Wedding Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thomas Ian Nicholas. Director: Jesse Dylan. Rated R: Nudity, gross-out humor, sex. Running time: 95 minutes. view the trailer | official website With Great East Falls High now just a memory, the kids have grown into adults ready to wreak havoc with a new rite of passage: Jim and Michelle are getting married--in a hurry. Jim's grandmother is sick and wants to see Jim walk down the aisle, so they're going for it in two frantic weeks. Stifler plans to be there (for the bridesmaids!) and, more importantly, to throw the ultimate bachelor party (for the strippers!). Finch is all for the hedonistic rituals, but not for letting Stifler steal the maid of honor, who happens to be Michelle's sexy younger sister, Cadence. But while everybody else sweats and frets, Jim's Dad is cool as ever, dispensing advice that no one wants to hear and getting ready for one of the best days of his life.

by Jack Garner, Gannett News Service

The "American Pie" films move on to cake in "American Wedding," the third of the gross-out comedies. And, yes, the wedding cake gets desecrated, so another beloved pastry ends up in the Dumpster.

Reviewing it couldn't be easier: You'll feel about "Wedding" exactly like you felt about the other two "Pie" films. It won't disappoint the many fans. But it won't win converts, either. If you've sidestepped the other two, don't change direction now.

"American Pie" arrived in 1999 with its story of five high school friends eager to discard their virginity. It introduced a new generation to the concept of sophomoric sexual high jinks and bountiful bathroom humor. Such stuff almost always finds an audience, so it became a huge hit. "American Pie 2" followed the young men to college for some "Animal House"-styled campus mayhem. It also was a hit.

So now we have "American Wedding," which sends the central romantic couple (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) down the aisle. But not before the characters try to offend audiences a few more times.

This time, we're treated to pubic hair in the frosting and a character eating dog droppings. Refined, these movies ain't.

Director Jesse Dylan is new to the series but seems to understand the root of the "Pie" success story: the sweet-and-sour balance between offensive humor and surprising heart. (Jesse is the son of Bob Dylan and includes a tune on the soundtrack from his brother, Jakob, and his band The Wallflowers.)

Biggs once again is Jim Levenstein, the likable and somewhat shy guy who stumbles his way through mishaps galore while trying without success to maintain a bit of decency and decorum. Hannigan returns as Michelle, the red-haired girl who moved from band-camp friend to lover and now to fiancée.

Helping Jim prepare for the wedding are most of the usual suspects - the quirky intellectual Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), the straightforward Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and the utterly despicable slime ball Stifler (Seann William Scott). Only the softhearted jock, Oz (Chris Klein) fails to appear in part three. Apparently he, at least, has outgrown the juvenile concept.

Once again, Eugene Levy redeems much of the material with another amusing turn as Jim's befuddled father. New to the series is Michelle's attractive sister, Cadence (January Jones), whose arrival for the wedding is like catnip for Finch and Stifler. (Much of the comedy revolves around their competition for her affections.)

Stifler has been elevated to star status in "Wedding." His antics are designed to be the most offensive, but he's also been given an unlikely bit of character redemption. Biggs and Hannigan are nearly forgotten for much of the film as Stifler wreaks havoc.

He definitely catches the garter at this wedding.