by morgan henley freefunk322@aol.com
C Rated R 95 min
National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj isn’t much of a rise of anything. A downgrade from the first, The Rise of Taj, is a watered down, less funny version of its predecessor. It isn’t a rise of anyone’s movie standards either. Filled with cheap dirty sex jokes, a predictable plot, and a cheesy English setting, the Rise of Taj seemed to fall a little short of any movie greatness.
Taj Mahal Badalandabad (Kal Penn), an Indian graduate student sent to the English Camford University, is a product of the first Van Wilder’s teachings, and wants to use his newly acquired womanizing skills on the fresh campus. He goes to the campus, eager and ready to join the Fox and Hounds fraternity that his father spoke of so fondly as being in and where he experienced his greatest female adventures. After a rude awakening the snobby and elitist fraternity the Fox and Hounds, Taj realizes Camford might not exactly be what he expected. Taj is then sent to be residence advisor for an oddball, strange house of students called “The Barn”. Oddly loveable and strange, Taj is greeted by Sadie (Holly Davidson) an overly sexual female, Gethin (Anthony Cozens), a typical geeky nerd, Seamus (Glen Barry) a too rough and rugged Irishman, and Simon (Steven Rathman) a silent loner. Taj sees it as his mission to transform these outcasts and use his “skills” to help these… less fortunate.
Taj finds an invitation for the school’s large gala ball, even though it’s hosted by the Fox and Hounds; he insists that the group go. The group is reluctant, but through Taj’s often too easily persuasive ways, they agree. As the strange crew assembles to the dance, all in their very finest, many a mishap occurs. Taj sends the group to mingle amongst the others, and Taj immediately catches eye of the young female, Charlotte (Lauren Cohan). A too touchy-feely elderly woman asks Taj to dance, and after regrettably accepting; Charlotte intervenes and saves him from the agony. Taj tries to play it smooth, but it is apparent that the ladies man we knew with Van Wilder is just not there with Taj. After embarrassing himself with Charlotte by calling the Fox and Hounds some belittling and offensive names, Charlotte’s boyfriend, Pipp (Daniel Percival) the head of the Fox and Hounds fraternity, ends their meeting, not on a friendly note either. So Taj decides to take it upon himself and declare that his house full of rejects, as a new fraternity called the Cock and Bulls. Conveniently there is a contest between all of the fraternities to show whose best in a series of strange and mundane competitions. Taj immediately sets out to win, his Cock and Bulls being apparently destined for failure. The story goes on to follow this competition, and Taj’s struggle to teach the students how to loosen up and party.
If you’re looking for raunchy humor and easy to follow storyline, then maybe The Rise of Taj will serve you well. A few laugh evoking scenes make seeing this movie not a total waste, but with those scenes being too far and few between, I’d be weary before venturing to see Taj. A handful of too provocative scenes and jokes make this film somewhat edgy, but it lacks the freshness of former Van Wilder or other raunchy college partying classics like Animal House or Porky’s. It’s got the whole charming message to it, and morals prove valiant, but who wanted that?
The prim and proper English setting was an interesting contrast to the vulgar actions of the characters, which was somewhat awkward. The English theme seemed too overdone and cheesy, along with the vulgar characters. The soundtrack created the perfect college party boy mood, as it was similar in style to anything you might have heard in the American Pie movies. An audience might be hard to find as the obscene nature and female nude scenes might scare some away, but the sentimental message and romantic comedy feel might leave others disappointed.
Taj, played by Kal Penn, is easily recognizable as one of the co-stars of the stoner classic, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. Somehow Penn has got the monopoly on the Indian-actor in comedies job, which is why his over emphasized Indian accent is strange. If you’re a fan of Penn, I’d recommend Harold and Kumar instead of Taj. Looking at Penn’s resume, it’s apparent Penn likes to stay true to his Indian roots. Once in an interview with Jay Leno, Penn told a story of how once a casting agency asked why he was not wearing a turban.
If you’re looking for a cheap laugh, then go see The Rise of Taj, if you’re not, then don’t.
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