O Dono da Festa: A Vez dos Calouros

First, if anyone is watching a National Lampoon movie for Oscar nominations is a fool.

Second, its actually fairly funny. They just followed the basics.... lots of t&a, a douche bag, a hero, and some chick between the douche bag and the hero.... plus a lot of t&a

third, the only thing I didn't like is the lack of creativity of the jokes. They basically took a page out of Ace Ventura, and Adam Sandler.

I think Ryan Reynolds really made the first one good because, well it was Ryan Reynolds. And even though there have been a lot of N. Lapmoon movies, most of them were pretty... lame compared to this.

How do you judge a Hollywood movie? You could review a film from a classical perspective in terms of direction, acting, cinematography, story, and impact. Or, sometimes, you can judge whether a film achieves what it is wanted to be, even when that may be groveling to the lowest beast. On the latter score, I rate this movie as watchable.

I sat down with this film for something totally different from what I usually watch, and it was definitely different. Cheap sexual arousal, slap stick jokes, crudity, all in a revenge of the nerds schtick is the score du jour. But, within all that groveling to the lowest denominator, it delivers with an underlying, although trite, message. Bennett is interesting in his best Jim Carrey impersonation, and the rest of the cast plays along to his lead. Fuller is a delightful Dean Wormer. In fact, so much of the writing is pulled from Animal House, it sometimes feels like a cheap rip-off. But ultimately the movie finds its own feet and passes some time without feeling cheated.

Van Wilder (Jonathan Bennett) is a freshman in Coolidge College. The place has all kinds of rules and run by the dictatorial Dean Charles Reardon (Kurt Fuller). Kaitlin Hayes (Kristin Cavallari) and boyfriend Dirk Arnold are ROTC recruits. Van takes an interest in Kaitlin. He breaks through his dorm wall and takes his neighbor Farley as a roommate. They throw a party but only Yu Dumb Fok shows up.

Van Wilder is Ryan Reynolds. It's that simple and nothing less. Jonathan has a bit of that roguish charm but he's no Ryan. Kristin Cavallari has limitations. She can't expand beyond her range. This movie has the prerequisite nudity and Jonathan's charms carry this for a little while. There may be a small chuckle or two but it gets boring by the midway point.

Van Wilder arrives at college after a vacation trip to Amsterdam. The surprise is that Coolidge University is no longer the sexual paradise of his father's time, but has been transformed into a military-style institution by Dean Reardon, who has a real hatred for the Wilders.

After a reasonable Party Time 2, which was infinitely superior to the first, we have a drastic fall again. Not very fun, cliché, misogynistic (disgusting situations, and unnecessary even for the time), boring, dispensable... Disgusting situations, worse than scatological, unwatchable and that cause such disgust and nausea, Yuck, definitely unpleasant... The best part is when it ends, and the post-credits come, just as strange, but more fun...

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.