Van Wilder: Freshman Year

It is kind of difficult to imagine why this movie came into being, and even more so to pretend that it is supposed to be a prequel to the original 2002 "Van Wilder" movie.

It is one of those types of movies where you just know that it is not going to be a grand experience, but you still sit down to watch it, hoping that there might be just a speck of entertainment to be had here.

"Van Wilder: Freshman Years" turned out to be a less than mediocre movie, and not an overly entertaining one either. And I will actually go as far as to say that you should definitely not view this as a prequel to the 2002 movie. Instead, view it as a stand-alone movie that has no ties to the 2002 movie.

This movie relies on cheap laughs, which are brought about mostly by humor well below the belt. But many times this humor just doesn't really come through properly. So it seems that it is the result of some half-hearted script writing.

The storyline in "Van Wilder: Freshman Years" is just not a very interesting or original one. It is all something that essentially has been seen before in similar late teen comedies. So don't count on originality being the key ingredient in this movie.

For a comedy of this type, then "Van Wilder: Freshman Years" was less than mediocre. And once you have seen it the first time, chances that you will return to watch it a second time are slim to none.

The film maintains the franchise's signature irreverent and over-the-top humor, with Jonathan embracing the role of the carefree Van Wilder with infectious energy. His comedic timing and effortless charisma add a certain charm to the character, making it easy for the audience to root for him despite his often outrageous behavior and high bar set by Ryan Reynolds.

The supporting cast complements the lead with their own brand of humor. Farley, in particular, serves as an excellent foil to Van Wilder, providing laughs through their dynamic and chemistry. While the characters may lean on familiar college movie stereotypes, the performances inject a sense of freshness into the well-trodden territory.

Van Wilder Freshman Year succeeds in delivering plenty of laughs, relying on a mix of slapstick comedy, witty one-liners, and memorable set pieces. The college setting serves as a playground for the film's comedic antics, with the script embracing the absurdity of campus life. From wild parties to bizarre pranks, the film revels in its portrayal of a college experience gone hilariously awry.

While the movie doesn't aim to break new ground in terms of storytelling or character development, it achieves what it sets out to do - entertain with a healthy dose of humor. The narrative serves as a backdrop for the comedic set pieces, allowing the film to prioritize laughs over depth.

Van Wilder Freshman Year is a fun and entertaining addition to the Van Wilder series, Perfect for fans of college comedies, this installment offers a nostalgic and enjoyable trip back to the world of Van Wilder.

Wanna know a better way to spend an hour and 38 minutes? Beat your head against a wall, you'll get more out of it. Why is there no option for zero stars?

This movie tries to follow the format of the original film. Thus, there are T&A galore, raunchy humor, bizarre characters, and wild parties. Bennett even kind of looks like Ryan Reynolds.

But generally, this flick doesn't do it as good as the original. Some of the jokes are kind of funny, but most are tepid or even complete knockoffs of old jokes I've heard before. While the original used eccentric characters and outlandish situations as springboards for humor, this one just goes deep into Bizzaro World (a college run by its ROTC director, who has posted "No Partying" and "No Kissing" signs, and can involuntarily enroll students in ROTC?).

Bennett decently mimicked Reynolds, but he didn't have the same charisma. Cavallari was charismatic, though, and I liked her as the love interest. Meredith Giangrande was downright sexy as forbidden- fruit Eve.

If you love being grossed out, this film ups the ante from the first one on the disgusting factor, although that's not particularly my thing. I do have to say, however, that the soft-porn aspects of this film are better than the original. There are scenes involving girls with vibrators, and a sex-ed class that illustrates intriguing positions (although with clothes on, but still), which may almost make you forget you're watching a comedy.

...But it's still pulled off pretty well. What you have to remember is that this movie wasn't created with hopes that it would win an Oscar.

Sure, it doesn't have what the original title had, but i'm sure fans of Van Wilder will find Freshman Year a movie worthy of a few laughs.

Jonathan Bennett, who plays Van, plays the character brilliantly and as close to Ryan Reynolds as you can possibly get.

The ending leaves room for a forth, so I, along with many other fans i'm sure, are hoping for another.

I can almost certainly say that the majority if not all critics will say only bad things about this movie. But i can certainly say they don't and probably wont ever get the point of movies like this. It's not just another "stoner movie" it's a movie for people who appreciate a laugh.