10 Years - B-

Rated PG-13, 90 minutes

Sweet ensemble comedy "10 Years" strikes a familiar chord

Channing Tatum and Rosario Dawson

"10 Years" is an entertaining, if not overly recognizable and well-worn "class reunion" film. Think of this as a sweeter, less raunchy version of the "American Pie" films, and with a more handsome cast. "10 Years" follows a group of friends on the night of their 10th high school reunion who, a decade later, still haven't quite grown up. Jake (Channing Tatum), who is deeply in love with his girlfriend (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) and ready to propose-until he runs into his high school flame (Rosario Dawson) for the first time in years. Jake's friend Cully (Chris Pratt) married his cheerleader girlfriend (Ari Graynor), and has been looking forward to the reunion so he can finally apologize to all the classmates he bullied in high school. The famous one of the group, Reeves (Oscar Isaac) is now a famous pop singer, but is still too shy to talk to his high school crush (Kate Mara). Screenwriter Jamie Linden ("Dear John") directs and writes in his feature debut and while it's a flawed effort, it works mainly due to the charm of the large cast, including Tatum, his real-life wife Jenna, Dawson, Pratt, Graynor, Mara, Isaac not to mention Justin Long, Max Minghella, Aubrey Plaza and Lynn Collins. The story is thin and a bit rambling and stuffed with way too many characters, some of which are mostly cardboard cutouts, but they're also what holds up the movie and without them this would be another familiar, flavorless retread of the "American Pie" films without the pie. Sure, Tatum is bland as ever but still handsome, and he and Dawson make for a nice couple, with Pratt, Minghella and Long all getting in a few good lines. However, the best thing about the film is not the story or the acting but a wistful, touching original song called "Never Had" that's written and performed by Isaac in the film. "10 Years," though predictable and familiar, is sweet enough to have its heart in the right place and is more mature than most in this genre. Much like its characters, "10 Years" is not perfect but you'll enjoy the company.

Wes's Grade: B-