National Lampoon's new film, "Van Wilder," has audiences asking for more as adamantly as Oliver Twist. Not since "American Pie" have I experienced a movie that leaves a smile on my face for its entire duration. With its use of shock comedy and pure wit, "Van Wilder" is sure to be an instant college classic.
With May swiftly approaching, this film could not have been released at a more opportune time. With graduation barreling down upon us, fourth-year students at schools all over the country are faced with the same fears that are keeping Van in school, those of entering the real world.
"Worry is like a rocking chair. It may keep you entertained, but it will never get you anywhere." Granted, it may seem like a comment that Forrest Gump would say after delivering a story about his Mama, but this comment streams from the seventh-year student at Coolidge College named Vance Wilder - Van for short. Ryan Reynolds does an amazing job at taking over the title character in yet another successful National Lampoon venture. He embodies a cross breed of Chevy Chase (in his funny days of course) and Jim Carrey in a film that is a hybrid of "Animal House" and "Dumb and Dumber."
Tim Matheson, who plays Vance Wilder Sr., is no stranger to National Lampoon films. He was one of the main misfits in their first commercial success, "Animal House." Now, approximately 25 years later, he comes back with a little more than a cameo as the rich father who refuses to pay Van's tuition bill anymore - I guess he figured seven years should be enough to graduate. Now that his financial lifeline has been cut off, Van uses the support of his friends and newly hired social assistant to raise enough money to pay his bills.
Over his seven years at Coolidge, Van has befriended just about everyone. Because of his unsurpassed popularity, the school paper decides to write a piece on him and sends bombshell reporter Gwen (Tara Reid) to do what no other reporter has been able to do in Van's tenure - get an interview with him.
Intertwined in a series of outlandish pranks and witty one-liners is the love story between Van and Gwen. When Van shows her that he is not just a college playboy, Gwen slowly falls for him. Van's philanthropic side never appeals to Gwen's pompous boyfriend however, a guy who is constantly more concerned with his resume than with Gwen's feelings. Needless to say, we root for Van and hiss at her "soon-to-be" ex-boyfriend while they partake in a war of gags on one another.
National Lampoon, an organization created by members of the Harvard Lampoon who wanted to delight the world with their comical charms, hit the spot with "Wilder." In a sense, "Wilder" tells the story of the National Lampoon itself. It is an organization founded because the Harvard Lampoon would only allow undergraduates to be on its staff - leaving the founders forced to go out into the real world. But, rather than do that, they extended their positions by working for a new Lampoon.
Fourth years here and around the country can undoubtedly empathize with Van and the writers for the Lampoon as well. Some of us are graduating this year, while some of us are not. Some of us have jobs for next year, while some of us do not. Some are going on to graduate school, while others are not. And when you think about it, going on to graduate school is not even moving on. It is just another way to delay the inevitable world that is out there.
"Wilder" is a movie we need. I do not know how much a 60-year-old doctor from Walawala, Wash., is going to appreciate Van and his antics, but we sure do. And we'd better. For if we cannot laugh now, then we will be in grave danger of leading unsatisfied lives.
It is actually a shame that there are not more students in colleges around the country like Van. He is not only a funny and lovable guy, but he does an extraordinarily large amount for the school - including fund raisers for the swim team and helping dorks throw fun parties where ridiculously good-looking girls show up. And his friends are ridiculously good-looking girls. Not to mention, he is supported by tons of ridiculously good-looking girls. Did I mention that this movie is filled with ridiculously good-looking girls?
We should all do more for our school and communities and let that way of life follow us to whatever we may do in life. Our days as undergraduates are numbered. We need to make the most we can out of them. After all, like Van says, "Ask not what your college can do for you. But, who can you do at your college."
That's my two cents, spend them however you'd like.
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