Van Wilder: Freshman Year – DVD Review

VanWilderDVD

In the annals of film history, one film series stands out as one of the most relevant, compelling, and groundbreaking. No, not The Godfather. It’s not Star Wars. It’s National Lampoon’s Van Wilder series.

It all began in 2002 when Ryan Reynolds (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) starred in the title role. The film had moderate success, which usually means that a sequel is imminent. Enter Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj in 2006. Surprise, surprise, Reynolds is a no-show and Taj (Kal Penn) was a better sidekick than main character.

And now, prepare for the genesis of Van Wilder’s college-age amazingness in Van Wilder: Freshman Year. Starring Jonathan Bennett (doing his best Ryan Reynolds impersonation), learn how Van Wilder got his start and how his influence at his school became stuff of legend.

Oh, and there are a lot of naked chicks, drug usage, and sex and gross out jokes. Oh, and there are many many other similarities between the original and this prequel, but I won’t insult your intelligence by pointing them out; you’ll be able to spot them easily.

Loaded with special features, this Unrated DVD includes:

Commentary with Director Harv Glazer and Cast

Creating the Legend: The Making of Van Wilder: Freshman Year

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

Going Balls Out: Colossus

A look at Champ the bulldog who becomes Van Wilder’s pet Colossus.

Coolidge College: Orientation Video

The cast (as their characters) talk about the importance of Coolidge College and the opportunities that it includes.

Decatur

A “spoof” of The Hills featuring the cast of the film.

Teacher’s Pets

Hot women in skimpy clothes. Simulated sex. Let’s party.

Bloopers

Outtakes from the film. Watch as veteran actor Kurt Fuller takes balls in the face…from a dog!

Van’s Party Supplies

Still not sure why Van Wilder (a dude) has a drawer full of vibrators and dildos in his room, but hey, who am I to judge?

Pranks 101

The cast talks about past pranks they have been involved in and been the perpetrator of.

Like its sequel, Van Wilder: Freshman Year doesn’t star Ryan Reynolds. However, it is a considerable improvement over The Rise of Taj, which isn’t much but still better than nothing. If you enjoyed the first two, you’ll enjoy this prequel.

**Time line note: Van Wilder graduated from college after seven years back in 2002. In this film about his freshman year, Van Wilder has an iPhone. But iPhones didn’t exist in 1995 when Van would have started college. In the interest of continuity, I just wanted to throw this little issue out there. Does it really matter? Does it affect the overall film? Discuss.

2 thoughts on “Van Wilder: Freshman Year – DVD Review”

  1. man, i was just watching this movie and saw him use that iphone. i tried to do the math and all me and my brother could think of is the white jamaican is a time traveller. he went to 09 to get him and his friends cool new “mobile phones”. beats the shit outta the house phone zack morris was workin with

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