Within the current trend of teenage movies, yet another immature comedy has emerged. National Lampoon, with works staring Chevy Chase and other big names in humor, never fails to produce entertaining comedy. The company continued this trend with its newest release, "Van Wilder," which opened locally Friday.
The roots of the hardest laughs in "Van Wilder," directed by Walt Becker, consist almost entirely of sexual puns. The good chunk of outrageous anatomy visuals and seriously exaggerated bodily function incidents are hard to forget.
Ryan Reynolds, who has appeared in shows such as "The Outer Limits," plays Van Wilder, the "big man on campus." Tara Reid, from the well-known box office hit "American Pie," costarred as Gwen, a student journalist.
Weaving cleverly through the overload of sex and drugs, this hysterically vulgar movie expresses an unusual soft side. Van Wilder has been enrolled at Coolidge College for seven years. His reputation of being the absolute coolest guy in town has made him famous among the student body. This fame eventually reaches his father who realizes that he is paying a tuition bill that has no end in sight.
With Wilder in a desperate financial situation, the movie revolves around the various schemes created to raise money for his cause. Even though Wilder acts slick and pretends to play on his ego more than anything else, there is much more to him.
Blond and beautiful Gwen, a reporter on a quest for a good story, discovers Van's deeper compassion, respect and understanding for all types of people.
Van has a solution for any and every question that is brought to him - he is the ultimate advisor. Gwen, put off at first because of his cocky nature, begins her interviews with Van disgusted and judgmental. The two, predictably, end up together for a happily-ever-after ending. Wilder gets over his fear of entering the real world and starting his actual life with the help of Gwen, who is saved from her dying long-term relationship.
From the over-endowed dog to his crazy assistant, "Van Wilder" is most humorous for those who still appreciate immature gags. The theater was loud and noisy through the entire movie with non-stop laughs until the end.
The film, though, also has a moral twist, with Van's big heart allowing him to "inspire those without inspiration."
