Falling into the trap of most virtual reality erotic scenarios, VE2 goes for the lowest common denominator of arousal and sophomoric humor. Discovering the joys of headset sex, two dopey college students grope at the air like blind lab mice while ther fantasy counterparts engage in amorous encounters. Eventually this Lewis and Clark of the frontal-lobe frontier stumble onto the fact that the rest of the campus are more than willing to dole out their parent’s hard-earned dollars to participate in the groping game.

If the Three Stooges were making films today, this would be their ideal premise. Unfortunately, the Stooges’ material was not only paced better, it was clever. VE2 stumbles around from set-piece to set-piece, which basically looks exactly like those Playboy vids wherein the camera glides luxuriously around the models as they dry-hump each other in a variety of settings. Here we jump from a couple making love on a motorcycle to a cowboy and a barmaid, to a blue collar fantasy with two women who apparently think rubbing their tits on the fellow’s ass is going to give viewers a chubby.

All of these candy-colored scenarios, well-lensed and featuring pretty performers (the guys are actually a little pretty, too – say no more) aren’t bad in and of themselves…but they certainly don’t smack of being true to the imaginations of your average undergraduate. Neither does the segment starring a James Bond-type saving a hapless heroine, but being that these guys act fifteen, it may be more appropriate.

One can’t fault the attractive cast for the failings of this film; they help it live up to its carnal quotient. Like the “virtual” definition of softcore, VE2 can never go all the way – but it could’ve gone much farther with a better idea at the core.