National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)

Though it'll never be confused with Animal House, National Lampoon's Van Wilder at least supplies a healthy dose of righteously R-rated, un-p.c. gags, delivered with effortless charisma by lead Ryan Reynolds. Timing is everything in no-brainer comedies like this, and Reynolds -- channeling Real Genius-era Val Kilmer and Matthew Broderick's Ferris Bueller in equal measure -- gives even the stalest one-liners a sprightly, tossed-off spin. If anything, Van Wilder is too worshipful of the '80s college pics it imitates: the cameos from Erik Estrada, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and other past-their-prime self-parodists are more annoying than cheeky (though the casting of Tim Matheson as Wilder's affluent dad is truly inspired). In fact, about the only thing that indicates that Van Wilder was made in the post-Farrelly brothers 21st century is the emphasis on gross-out comedy, and it handicaps the picture. It's so full of good-natured charm that an elaborate "don't eat the dog-semen-fortified pastry" schtick, for instance, only detracts from the fun. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide