À la gross

The American Pie films may declare themselves "one of the most successful comedy franchises in movie history" – but really, does anyone remember American Wedding? Besides Jason Biggs, that is? If "success" is measured purely by cash flow, though, the statement is 100 percent truth. The 2003 film raked in over $100 million (as did the first two slightly more memorable films in the series). Porky's or Police Academy the Pie series may not yet be, but here's a sure sign of longevity for those body fluid-obsessed teens: American Pie Presents Band Camp (Universal), a surprisingly passable straight-to-DVD entry that's more spin-off than sequel.

No actors from the theatrical films return, save Chris Owen ("The Sherminator" – here, he's a guidance counselor) and the ever-ubiquitous Eugene Levy (who'll hopefully see his comedy cred recharge with the next Christopher Guest movie, due later this year). The yuks revolve around Matt Stifler, younger brother of Steve Stifler (and presumably another son of Stifler's Mrs. Robinson-esque mom, who, alas, is MIA). The casting of Tad Hilgenbrinck as a mini-Seann William Scott results in the Dumb and Dumberer (another Levy film) effect, which involves the eerie imitation of a previous performance but with mugging amped to a higher power.

While the original Stifler was a peripheral character to the main Pie action – that brand of obnoxious is best in small doses – the new "Stiffmeister" takes center stage in Band Camp. After Matt pulls an embarrassing prank on the band, led by prissy Elyse (Soul Plane's Arielle Kebbel), he's given a punishment only a comedy scriptwriter could love: a summer at band camp. There, in between setting up hidden cameras in the showers, plotting the demise of a Zabka-esque rival, and engaging in intimate contact with an oboe, the reformed jerk-off sprouts a soul.

Band Camp, as directed by Steve Rash (Can't Buy Me Love, Son-in-Law) is not destined for classic status, nor is it as funny as 2005's most prominent raunchy comedies (The Wedding Crashers, The 40-Year-Old Virgin). It's derivative and stupidly funny – emphasis on the stupid. But it's at least as good as Bring It On Again and has far more intentional laughs than Starship Troopers 2. (Cheryl Eddy)