A conscious attempt to make an Animal House for a new generation, National Lampoon's Van Wilder is actually two different movies in one package. The first is an ultra-gross comedy that outdoes the Farrelly brothers (There's Something About Mary) by including a scene that qualifies as the grossest I've ever seen in a film, which counts for something, even if I'm not sure what. And the second is an altogether more unexpected thing: a romantic comedy that is actually quite sweet.

That Van Wilder is Animal House redux is signaled by the presence of Tim Matheson in the cast. He was, of course, the suave "Otter" in the earlier film, and here he shows up as the rich and distant father of our eponymous hero, Van Wilder (Vancouverite Ryan Reynolds who comes across as a younger version of another National Lampoon alumnus, Chevy Chase). The quintessential BMOC, it seems that Van likes university so much that he's been hanging around the place for seven years with nary a degree to show for it. But he has mastered the art of partying. Unfortunately, when Dad realizes that Van is still in school, he cuts off Van's funding, forcing Van to come up with the tuition himself. So Van concocts a succession of money-making schemes, most of which centre around his ability to throw phenomenal parties. Along the way, he does battle with the obnoxious head of a rich-boy fraternity and, of course, falls in love...

In addition to the requisite scatological humour, the sex jokes and the constant quest for nookie, the movie surprises by giving Van a genuinely good heart. Yes, he can be insufferably smug and arrogant, but he also helps his fellow students whenever they are in need-whether it's keeping tabs on the medical progress of one sick misfit, raising money for the school swim team, or organizing a party to introduce a bunch of nerds to some women (that the women are strippers is another question...). As played by Reynolds-who is bound for greater things-Van really is "the man," a benevolent party animal with an altruistic bent.

Don't let me mislead you-the movie, full to the brim with disgusting scenes that aren't very funny and sexual encounters that are predictably unfulfilling, is far from good. But that is exactly what old, fuddy-duddy film critics said about Animal House when it came out, and it still entertained the hell out of this grade-12 student (Otis Day and the Knights rocked!). That National Lampoon's Van Wilder is not a good movie is almost beside the point-it contains enough anarchic silliness and sentiment to appeal to a generation too young to have laughed at Animal House. And the fact that it makes ice hockey the coolest sport-Van's girlfriend is smart, beautiful and she can skate!-is a nice touch that can't possibly redeem the movie, but it makes it just a shade more palatable.