By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The most popular kid on campus (Ryan Reynolds) meets a hideously deformed journalist (Tara Reid) who makes him realize that maybe he is afraid to graduate.When I first viewed this movie (circa 2003), I was not terribly impressed and absolutely repulsed by a certain scene that has made it notorious. The scene adds nothing to the film other than to make audiences feel sick to their stomachs.Upon rewatching (2014), there is still an overall crudeness to the film that may not be necessary, and seems to be an unfortunately part of comedy movies made at the time (the "American Pie" series is very similar in tone). But, I must confess, there is a certain sentimentality to it all, and if it were not for that one moment, this might be a fairly decent film. Not great, but decent.Ryan Reynolds may not be the biggest actor out there, but this film put him on the map, and it should be recognized for that, too.

Cashing in on the success of the American Pie movies comes this American Pie meets Ferris Bueller knock off. Hell it even stars one of the lead actress's from the American Pie franchise Tara Reid. Even though she is really thin here and seems to sleep walk through her role, this was still her pre rent a wreck era.But she is just there as a bit of stunt casting (to evoke memories of the Pie franchise) as this is really all about the Ryan Reynolds as the title character. He is the best thing about this movie, but he is a good looking safe bit of casting. A Jack Black on the other hand, would have smashed the role out of the park, and took the movie to the next level.Kal Pen is awful as the stereotypical Indian sidekick, and I have never known how he continues to have an acting career. His delivery of lines in his fake accent is dire and is worse when he tried to do comedy in his real voice (see his woeful turn as Kevin in "How I Met Your mother") look out for a pre "Big Bang Theory" Simon Helberg in a small supporting role too. The movie is just a rehash of lots of other movies!! Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, (queue music montage of both of them looking miserable) boy gets girl back at the end! Or the obviously brilliant slacker is coasting trough life, meets girl and after an initial dislike, fall in love and she shows him the error of his ways or even boy meets girl, but girl has a boyfriend (who is a sleazy jerk) who happens to be out to destroy our hero, after showing girl, how evil her boyfriend is, she falls in to boys arms.... They are all here!! Whilst there are many quotable lines, I was cringe worthy silent during most of this movie, and with the exception of one or two scenes there are not a lot of laughs to be had.Teenagers may get a kick out of it, but that is about it!!

During his seventh year at "Coolidge" college, handsome Ryan Reynolds (as Van Wilder) gets his tuition cut off by father Tim Matheson (as Van Wilder Sr.), an embarrassed "Animal House" (1978) alumni. When Mr. Matheson finds his son wearing a women's negligee at an underwear swap party, he fears Reynolds might be gay; obviously, Matheson doesn't catch on very fast anymore. However, Mr. Reynolds is enterprising young man; he uses his supposedly large genitalia to stay in school...Arousing blonde reporter Tara Reid (as Gwen Pearson) does a story on Reynolds. He turns from promiscuous and partying to thinking Ms. Reid might be that "special someone." For some reason, Reid's premature ejaculating boyfriend Daniel Cosgrove (as Richard Bagg) maintains a hold on Reid. For what it's worth, Mr. Cosgrove actually performs his role well. "Van Wilder" delivers lots of fart and balls humor, some beer and breasts, a few gay jokes... all climaxing in a huge dump.** Van Wilder (4/4/02) Walt Becker ~ Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Daniel Cosgrove, Tim Matheson

Van Wilder (2002, Dir. Walt Becker) Gwen Pearson (Reid) is a beautiful journalist, who is assigned the job of interviewing the most popular guy on campus, Van Wilder (Reynolds). Van should have graduated long ago, but stays on to create the best time for anyone who requests it. When Gwen finally encounters Van, she makes him realise that he might be afraid to graduate.Amusing comedy film which helped kick-off Reynolds' comedy career. Some jokes do fall flat at times, but there are enough from both Reynolds and a very funny Kal Penn to keep you laughing from start to finish.We are truly up the Ganga river without a bamboo oar. - Taj Mahal Badalandabad (Kal Penn)