The characters created by Adam Herz for the 1999 hit American Pie return for a tired sequel called American Reunion,” in which poor, desperate Jim Levenstein’s genitals once again get their ears boxed (metaphorically speaking), and Stifler’s way with nubile 17-year-olds doesn’t seem quite as obnoxiously sprightly as it once did.

The movie over-acknowledges the “disconnect” of the past, though acknowledging it doesn’t make it much funnier. Everyone in the ensemble keeps pushing a woe-be-gone nostalgia angle. Whether it is pining for their lost youth or eager to reactivate their now-dormant sex lives, the movie seems dry and already done before. Every other line, it seems, refers to “back in the day” or “wasn’t this more fun when we were younger?” or how “old” they’re feeling.

The plot takes place again in East Great Falls, Mich. The reunion weekend brings together Jim, Stifler, Finch, Oz and “the other guy” Kevin, now all bearded and married. Jim and his band-camp-derived wife Michelle have fallen into a non-sexual rut since the birth of their son.

Now and then the movie rouses itself to deliver a good line of comedy or a laugh from the audience. But one factor still remains constant. This movie has hit its bottom many many remakes ago, but still the idea finds buyers and viewers. Know that if you go to American Reunion” — and many of you will – and you harbor fond memories of the first one, those are the only memories to be had during the course of the movie.  Even as Levy and Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler’s mom) are on a date at a movie theater, and while the ensuing joke is as old as time, the way Levy finesses it you wonder if the American Pie franchise would’ve gotten half as far as it has without him.

I’d give this movie only two of five stars.