American College

1962: Faber College. A fraternity (Delta House) has for years tormented Dean Wormer (John Vernon) by trashing his campus and wrecking havoc with really sick, immature behavior. He finally decides to do everything he can to close them down, but they won't go out without a fight... This was a HUGE hit in 1978 (and a hit again when it was rereleased in 1980). I never understood why. The jokes are lame and the humor was, for its time, pretty risque. Nowadays it's pretty tame (for an R-rated film). Also I saw it in a theatre in 1978 when I was in high school--I didn't laugh once. Seeing it again over 20 years later it's even worse. But, this was the first film of its type (the slobs vs. the snobs) and lead to many VERY bad imitators. Compared to those this IS a classic. But still not good. It has some good things in it. It's amusing to see then unknown Kevin Bacon so young; Peter Riegert and Karen Allen make a very appealing couple (but their dramatic back story is dull); John Vernon is excellent, and very funny, as Dean Wormer; Tim Matheson is also very good--he nicely underplays his role (and flashes his butt briefly); this made John Belushi a star (he IS funny--sometimes); there's great direction by John Landis (especially during the "Shout" number); there's a bombastic Elmer Bernstein score that helps and seeing Tom Hulce and Stephen Furst so young is incredible. BUT that doesn't excuse the lousy script; horrible jokes; the sexism; the racism; Donald Sutherland's pointless and lousy performance and the fact that this film is DULL!!!!!! I'm giving it a 4...and I'm BEING generous!

I saw this movie on TV last night and was blown away by how relentlessly terrible it was, both in execution and content. It was interesting only as a reference point to the sensibilities of an earlier age. Since Animal House was apparently considered in 1978 to be the height of wit and daring, and since today in comparison with what might be called its pop culture progeny it appears either embarrassingly tame or lame, we can tell just how much the popular culture has evolved in the intervening time. There has been a sea change in received notions of what is cool since 1978, probably comparable to the change in such perceptions during the similar length of time between 1951 and 1978. In other words, its overtly anti-establishment themes and primitive ideas of transgressive humor make Animal House very much a product of its time. This movie can really only be appreciated as a poorly-acted and amateurishly-directed glimpse into the mindset of youngish Americans of another age. I know I'm ragging on this movie, but the humor in Animal House just doesn't translate into today's world, and on balance that is probably something for which we should be grateful.

This is the best college comedy ever made. Nothing has ever come close to comedic perfection, and never will again. The early bird director John Landis directs this film into greatness bringing stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Tom Hulce, Mark Metcalf and Donald Sutherland to the screen in brilliance. True, this film is just about a bunch of misfits defying authority in a campus of 1962, but that's what makes it so good, and original. Belushi, Metcalf, and others bring many of the laughs here, but it is mainly it's reputation that brings this film into hilarity. A landmark in cinema comedy. By the way, screenwriters Harold Ramis and Chris Miller originally were going to make this a film about Charles Manson called Laser Orgy Girls, so thank god Douglas Kenney came in and straightened this out to the right part.

Fun! Excitement! Pure party pleasure! This is the ultimate in fraternity slobbery with some outstanding performances by John Belushi and Tim Matheson, and a special treat with Donald Sutherland. This was the first film appearance for some now great stars like Kevin Bacon (The Woodsman, The River Wild, Hollow Man), Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark), and Peter Riegert (Traffic, Barbarians at the Gate). Even Blues guitarist Robert Cray was there with Otis Day and the Knights. I cannot imagine anyone who doesn't rank this as one of the funniest films they have seen.

One of the most entertaining aspects about NLAH is reading the naysayer reviews. Reviews are certainly subjective, but unfortunately the hilariously bad reviews come from viewers who simply don't get it. Especially the viewers who saw it on TV. They probably are not a lot of fun at parties, either. This reviewer gives the film an eight for comic relief and for hurting some feelings.