Van Wilder: Freshman Year

Plot synopsis:
Van Wilder (Jonathan Bennett) has graduated from high school. He is supposed to go on a road trip to Amsterdam with his dad (Linden Ashby), but his dad is busy with work, so Van goes alone. Van ends up going to Coolidge College, following family tradition. His family has their name on a building there, Wilder Hall. However, when he gets there, Coolidge is no longer the laid-back school of his dad's time, but a military-based institution run by Dean Reardon (Kurt Fuller).
Reardon, a military man who despises the senior Wilder, wants to take out his aggression on Van. He cannot force him out because his dad is wealthy and has ties to the school, so he tries to make Van's life a living hell. Van turns a one bedroom dorm into a two bedroom (by breaking down a wall). His roommate is Farley (Nestor Aaron Absera), a pothead from Jamaica. The boys decide to throw a party on campus, which is againt the rules, along with kissing, drugs, alcohol, sex, or anything else that is 'fun'. The only person to show up to the party is Yu Dum Fok (Jerry Shea). The boys try to find the girls, but instead find a group of religious, prudish girls led by Eve (Meredith Giangrande).
After Eve throws sacramental wine on them, Van pulls a prank during church. Reardon knows Van is behind the prank, so he commands his ROTC students, Dirk (Steve Talley) and his closeted sidekick Corporal Benedict (Nick Nicotera), on Van, trying to make him crack. Van falls for Dirk's girlfriend, Kaitlin (Kristin Cavallari), causing Dirk to get even more angry. Kaitlin thinks, lives, and breathes the military, and believes in chastity before marriage. After playing a military game with Reardon that results in him stepping down as dean and being tasered, Van and Kaitlin end up together and Van decides to finish college. The film ends as Van leaves Dirk and Benedict tied to each other in their underwear.

Tags: revenge

Review:
I loved Ryan Reynold's Van Wilder and I also liked Van Wilder 2: Rise Of Taj as Kal Penn is one of the funniest actors out there.
My friend gave this to me to watch as he found it to be very funny and he knew that I liked the first two movies.
Standing on its own, this wouldn't even have made as much money as it did on the name of the franchise.This film is a prequel of the first movie and starts by introducing Van Wilder (Jonathan Bennett) when he is in freshman year at Coolidge College.
There is not much fun in the college, no parties, no kissing on campus and Van Wilder wants to liberate his college from sexual oppression and party dysfunction.
So, begins Van Wilder's journey into the as yet, unknown (for him) Coolidge College.The first thing that hits you right in the face is Jonathan Bennett's immense effort to look and act like Ryan Reynolds (one of my favourite actors).
He is a pretty good actor, just doesn't work for this movie.
The plot is the same as in many other college movies of this kind and the first Van Wilder movie also.
I have no problem with that, but in that movie Van Wilder is actually a compassionate human being, rather than an all out party and sex animal.
Other than that, this was just another excuse to get girls naked and a cheap rip-off the Van Wilder franchise.4/10.
What you have to remember is that this movie wasn't created with hopes that it would win an Oscar.Sure, it doesn't have what the original title had, but i'm sure fans of Van Wilder will find Freshman Year a movie worthy of a few laughs.Jonathan Bennett, who plays Van, plays the character brilliantly and as close to Ryan Reynolds as you can possibly get.The ending leaves room for a forth, so I, along with many other fans i'm sure, are hoping for another.I can almost certainly say that the majority if not all critics will say only bad things about this movie.
It's another classical teenage party movies filled with bad sexuality scenes.
Hey guys, I noticed that the movie had a pretty low rating, and really it's not that bad.If you're like me you loved the first movie and were extremely disappointed with the Rise of Tajh, which honestly was one of the worst unfunny pieces of crap i've seen in a long time.This movie actually really reminded me of the original, it might not have had the same budget or the same cast, but it was still really funny, and entertaining.I'm just gonna so go out and rent it, it's a solid watch, I watched it last night and i'm going to go buy it today.
First, if anyone is watching a National Lampoon movie for Oscar nominations is a fool.Second, its actually fairly funny.
This movie tries to follow the format of the original film.
Bennett even kind of looks like Ryan Reynolds.But generally, this flick doesn't do it as good as the original.
While the original used eccentric characters and outlandish situations as springboards for humor, this one just goes deep into Bizzaro World (a college run by its ROTC director, who has posted "No Partying" and "No Kissing" signs, and can involuntarily enroll students in ROTC?).Bennett decently mimicked Reynolds, but he didn't have the same charisma.
There are scenes involving girls with vibrators, and a sex-ed class that illustrates intriguing positions (although with clothes on, but still), which may almost make you forget you're watching a comedy..
It was pretty obvious where the F-word was used in many cases even though I couldn't hear it, but if my guesses about where content was removed and what was removed are correct, the great Betty White is not old enough to watch this movie.
I can't even imagine what some of the content taken out of this might have been.With that out of the way, I found many of the gags hilarious.Jonathan Bennett did a very good job (considering the material) as our hero.
he made us like him and care what happened to him.Kristin Cavallari also did a very good job.
If you like juvenile humor that is adult because kids aren't old enough to watch it, and you're not expecting Oscar, you just may enjoy this..
It is kind of difficult to imagine why this movie came into being, and even more so to pretend that it is supposed to be a prequel to the original 2002 "Van Wilder" movie.It is one of those types of movies where you just know that it is not going to be a grand experience, but you still sit down to watch it, hoping that there might be just a speck of entertainment to be had here."Van Wilder: Freshman Years" turned out to be a less than mediocre movie, and not an overly entertaining one either.
And I will actually go as far as to say that you should definitely not view this as a prequel to the 2002 movie.
So it seems that it is the result of some half-hearted script writing.The storyline in "Van Wilder: Freshman Years" is just not a very interesting or original one.
So don't count on originality being the key ingredient in this movie.For a comedy of this type, then "Van Wilder: Freshman Years" was less than mediocre.
Van Wilder (Jonathan Bennett) is a freshman in Coolidge College.
They throw a party but only Yu Dumb Fok shows up.Van Wilder is Ryan Reynolds.
If you are one of those who complains that this movie like other Van Wilder or American Pie movies don't have any story then I am sorry the joke is on you for expecting them to have one in the first place.
Surprisingly there is NOT allot of nudity, however, the movie basically tells you how Van Wilder started his journey at Coolidge.Let me also make it clear that this movie is NOT even remotely close to Ryan Reynolds's Van Wilder (2002) although the girl (Kristin Cavallari) in this movie is hot.
But of course Tara Reid and Amy Smart (Road Trip) are different leagues.Hope to see more of her (Kristin Cavallari) in the series, if you know what I mean.The makers of this series have to work way harder than this if they want to be successful.Waiting for Van Wilder: Sophomore Year....hopefully it will be much more WILDER than this.
I have watched so many crappy movies these past 2 years, but this one takes the cake.
Freshman Year is a bastardization of the original Van Wilder Movie and I have to say...
Freshman Year truly is the WORST MOVIE EVER!
I'm not saying Jonathan Bennett is the worst actor ever, I'm sure he'd fit perfectly in Revenge Of The Nerds, but not a Van Wilder- there is nothing "cool" about this him...
Obviously not as good as the original, but for a rental it is enjoyable enough to share a few laughs throughout.
Pretty good casting for the role of van wilder, pulled it off pretty well.
Comparable to the comedy of police academy, with your typical control figure trying to rid the campus of the mayhem that is van wilder.
Although it is nowhere as polished as the original i do recommend this film for a Saturday night with a six pack and a few friends to enjoy a few good chuckles.
It is quite funny, we didn't stop laughing.Jonathan Bennett does not have the same charisma as Ryan Reynolds, however, he is excellent in this role.
Kurt Fuller, Steve Talley and Nic Nac; oh and of course Colossus (The dog).This is the typical teen type movie that Hollywood has been putting out, it is probably closest to American Pie: Beta House, with some of the same actors.The script is well written and quite funny, the acting is fairly good, about as good as you would expect from a movie of this type.
It is truly amazing how decent storyline's and decent acting can do to make a very enjoyable movie.Overall worth the watch.8 out of 10.
Van Wilder: Freshman Year.
Freshman Year is the third installment of the very funny and very popular Van Wilder and is directed by Harvey Glazer.
It is the prequel to the original series, Party Liaison, and stars Jonathan Bennet as Wilder, Kurt Fuller as Dean Reardon and Kristin Cavallari as Kaitlin; Wilder's love interest.
The movie revolves around Coolidge College campus.Wilder just having graduated from high school follows the family tradition and attends Coolidge.
The institution has become militarized by Dean Reardon who seems to hate the Wilder's and makes Van a target.Van's attempt to party seems to go wrong as the institute has become chastised and all manner of earthly pleasures are considered a sin.
And you may also note the use of high tech gadgets that were unavailable in the first installment, notably the iPhone.Overall, this is great movie to hang out with friends and have a laugh..
Van Wilder: Freshman Year is a very good comedy that I enjoyed all the way through.
Along with these two types; the main character, Van Wilder, uses flyers to tell others about parties.Any mature teenager will enjoy this movie and will want to watch it more than once.
Van Wilder: Freshman Year is meant to keep people laughing and it does just that..
Van Wilder 3: Freshmen Year is set to be the prequel of the original Van Wilder.
I wouldn't call this movie a prequel, just a brand new title of the franchise.If you have watched the original Van Wilder, you may not like this movie.
I've watched both movies and in my opinion, both movies were good.
I don't expect Ryan Reynolds to star in this film anyway because he is too old for the movie.
Just like the American Pie movies, people usually like the original 'lead actor; Steve Stifler' and Van Wilder for this case.
He's acting was good, and so were the other actors.If you have watched most of the American Pie Presents..
It's just different..which doesn't mean it is a bad thing.As a whole, i feel the Van Wilder: Freshmen Year is a good movie and i'd give it the same rating as the original Van Wilder movie, 6/10.
This is the first Van Wilder film I saw.
It is like American Pie but not as dirty.Seeing him in Lovewrecked, Mean Girls I was surprised to see Jonathan here.
His looks is too clean-cut to be convincing as horny desperate to sleep with any girl, fun-loving party sort of guy.
Or maybe I just don't get it as I'm not a guy.It is nice to see Steven Talley who is a really funny and talented comedian but not as good-looking as the first time I saw him (in American Pie Beta House), can't explain why :)Nothing much happens in the film.
"Van Wilder" (2002) was an excellent comedy following in the footsteps of "American Pie" and "Road Trip".
"Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj" (2006): No Ryan Reynolds this time, but Kal Penn returns who is a talented comedian (Harold & Kumar 1-2).
"Van Wilder: Freshman Year" (2009) makes that mistake, but it's just one of many.
The unknown actor looks at least a little bit like Ryan Reynolds but he's not convincing - and worse..
I loved the first two Van Wilder's: I hated the third.
If they make another one, I will not even give it a try, "Write that down" (Ryan Reynolds, Van Wilder 2002)..
If you are looking for a lot of laughs, especially in the first ten minutes, this movie truly delivers.I just finished watching it, and it is good enough for a second time.
I had never heard of any of the actors until I saw this movie,and again, only seen the one, but it was great, not amazing, but great.
Like many others who have submitted reviews on this movie, I also must warn potential viewers that it is terrible!I have seen many movies that try to emulate the hilarious sex scenes such as the American Pie series, yet they go way over the top.Van WiLder three does just that.
It is filled with dirty sex scenes that are not even funny, most of it is sick and embarrassing to watch.
I never ever enjoyed "road trip" but Eurotrip is definitely a must-see!!Rise of taj was good but not great, however i'm disappointed at the predictability of the storyline.
I could think of 50,000 better concepts of a van wilder sequel ....
pity.So watch van wilder 1.
If you loved taj, watch the sequel, but don't watch number three or you'll switch it off after half an hour like I did!Btw- it was still impressive to see the new van actor imitate the same mannerisms as Ryan Reynolds..
Congratulations this is one of the rare movies that I couldn't watch to the end and I watch a lot of horrible movies during my work at the video store.3 guys: an ultra cool but subtlety homosexual guy, a pothead who thinks he is Jamaican and of course what else; the foreigner (this time he is Chinese).
I would like to say that movie is just one sketch after another but i cannot because sketches should be funny, this is just sad.
Through all the movie Wilder tries to show how supremely ultra mega cool is.
The actor who portrays Van Wilder does really really extremely poor job.
He tries to impersonate Ryan Reynolds so desperately every second of the movie that he of course like every really bad actor overdoes it and his thinking poses and eye swishing left to right and back make him look like homosexual schizophrenic.
Perhaps this movie is meant only for mentally retarded or old under 14 years, that should explain a lot.I thought that Road trip 2 was the worst movie in the world and it was until I actually saw this.
I had bad taste in the mouth so I had to watch Wild Geese and Rio Bravo to regain my manliness and will to live.This movie made me sad because Germany didn't win in ww2..
Such an awful movie, what more is there to say?To start with, I'd like to say that I watched the first (original) Van Wilder and liked it quite much.
Then I watched the sequel (The Rise of Taj) and didn't find it as good, actually it wasn't good at all.
But this third part, it was truly one of the worst movies I have seen in a while.First of all, the cast.
Jonathan Bennett has got zero charisma, and he fails miserably in the way he tries to mimic Ryan Reynolds' version of Van Wilder.
Wilder goes to Coolidge as a "gigolo" who wants to get laid and party, but then he bumps into a girl who he truly loves.
(Wait, wasn't there something like this in the parts 1 & 2?..) This and the rest of the plot seem to be a bad edition of the same storyline used in the original version.
Way too obvious, too.I could go on and on about how bad this movie is, but it would just make me angrier.
In 2012 I was searching for a good comedy movie to purchase that starred a hot woman, and I have to admit this was slightly below my standards.
However I was happy with the female lead 'Kristin Cavelleri' But in comparison to Ryan Reynold's original, it was better.
There is a love story and it enters half the way in to the movie.
the movie looked for me like a cheap porno movie.
i mean- everybody saw the girl coming out under the table after van wilder's speech, and everybody was acting like- oh good, she was giving him a blow job, nice!
i like American pie and some stupid teen comedies, but this one is like the teletubbies.
Nice FN start to Van Wilder.
This movie was amazing, all i expected from a Van Wilder movie.
Seriously i love Reynolds, but if we have to have him replace, im OK its gonna be by that dude in this movie, he did a fine job.
Having Zacharia(supernatural), Dwight Stifler(American Pie) and that other fat dude from Beta House in the movie sure help make this a freaking damn good comedy.
Im totally in the favor of having this as a Van Wilder Sequel or Prequel as you wanna name it..
From Ryan Reynolds to Kal Penn and now to a lesser known actor named Jonathon Bennett, these three have now all had their turn starring in a Van Wilder film.
Ryan Reynolds was amazing, Kal Penn was pretty funny, and now Jonathon Bennett is pretty hysterical.
The film is essentially a collection of funny pranks, and Charles trying to get Van expelled.
This isn't the first fall on your face hysterical Van Wilder with Ryan Reynolds, but Bennett does his job well, and the film manages to stay consistently funny.
A great time pass movie.
A must watch movie.
The new actor they got to play van doesn't do the role justice, the story was boring and lame with only one or two good laughs and the acting was just lame.
The new actor they got to play van doesn't do the role justice, the story was boring and lame with only one or two good laughs and the acting was just lame.
This was just a way to use the Van Wilder name to make a ton of money off the DVD because it would do terrible with another name.
This was just a way to use the Van Wilder name to make a ton of money off the DVD because it would do terrible with another name.
The original was great and trying to bank of a success is just stupid when it comes to this series.