IT'S DEFINITELY 'WILDER,' BUT NOT NECESSARILY FUNNIER.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic ``National Lampoon's Van Wilder'' is like the 6-week-old puppy you bring home - slobbering slobbering see drooling. , ever-so-anxious to please and given to peeing all over the place. It's one of those gross-out comedies like ``American Pie'' or ``There's Something About Mary'' (although nowhere in their league) that wants to turn on your heartlight while including a scene where a bunch of frat boys devour eclairs filled with dog semen. Obviously, if that description offends, then you're probably over age 25 and well over the maximum range of ``Van Wilder's'' intended audience. Adolescents (and those deeply entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. in that mindset mind·set or mind-set n. 1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations. 2. An inclination or a habit. ) will be adequately served by the movie's sophomoric soph·o·mor·ic adj. 1. Of or characteristic of a sophomore. 2. Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment: sophomoric behavior. blend of shenanigans shenanigans Noun, pl Informal 1. mischief or nonsense 2. trickery or deception [origin unknown] and slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to , although the more lascivious-minded might be disappointed in the relative modesty of a movie that sports a ``topless tutorial service.'' That ``Van Wilder'' is an attempt by the long-defunct National Lampoon magazine to re-enter re·en·ter also re-en·ter v. re·en·tered, re·en·ter·ing, re·en·ters v.tr. 1. To enter or come in to again. 2. To record again on a list or ledger. v.intr. movies is weirdly appropriate given the way its star, Ryan Reynolds Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23 1976) is a Canadian actor. He came to prominence in the television sitcom Two Guys and a Girl (1998–2001), before establishing a career as a Hollywood motion picture actor, starring in both comedic and dramatic roles. , seems to be channeling Chevy Chase, so popular in NL's ``Vacation'' series. Reynolds' Van Wilder is a career college student, perfectly happy to spend his father's money on tuition so he can cut class, organize parties and spearhead events like the Naked Mile Run. Then Van's dad (Tim Matheson from ``Animal House'') pulls the financial life support, giving a big speech about knowing when to ``realize a poor investment and simply cut your losses.'' So Van's on his own and the rest of the movie revels in his fund-raising exploits (the aforementioned study service among them) as well as a romance with Gwen (Tara Reid), a college newspaper reporter writing an unlikely ``investigative'' piece on our hero. Along the way, Van learns some Important Lessons about himself, leading up to an improbably sappy climax where that ``investment'' speech gets reworked in the corniest way imaginable. ``Van Wilder'' has a few laughs, most of them courtesy of Daniel Cosgrove, who plays Van's main nemesis with perfect deadpan authority. Cosgrove, best-known for playing Jennie Garth's bland boyfriend in the latter days of ``Beverly Hills 90210,'' enlivens every scene he's in, making you wish he had more time on screen - or at the very least, a better movie to showcase his talents. VAN WILDER - Two stars (Rated R: strong sexual content, gross humor, language, some drug content) Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Daniel Cosgrove. Director: Walt Becker. Running time: 1 hr. 35 min. Playing: Wide release. |
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