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Released: 1998-10-14 Rating:  
More Details: National Lampoon's Animal House National Lampoon's Animal House @Amazon National Lampoon's Animal House @aStore |
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This is one of those movies that works for all the wrong reasons--disgusting, lowbrow, base humor that we are all far too sophisticated to find amusing. So, just don't tell anyone you still think it's a riot to watch John Belushi as the brutish Bluto slurp Jell-O or terrorize his less-aggressive fellow students. This crude parody of college life in the '60s spawned many imitations, but none could match the fresh-faced talent or bad taste of this huge box office success. (Remember all those toga parties in the '80s?) The first of the National Lampoon movies, this was originally released as National Lampoon's Animal House. Keep an eye out for a very young Kevin Bacon in his first credited screen appearance. --Rochelle O'Gorman
Customer Reviews:
Double Secret Probation
The movie hasn't changed since the first time I saw it. I just upgraded to a widescreen version. There was nothing they could do to improve on it other than the widescreen format.It's still one of my favorite movies.
Animal House is a Classic.
National Lampoon's Animal House, Right off the bat this is National Lampoon's Best Movie. This is the Best Frat/College Movie there is.John Belushi As Bluto is Hilarious and my favorite character. the Brief Cameo of the Corvette is lamentable. The Scene with the Horse and the new pledge is very funny. The Special feature "Where are they now"? where they have the characters of the movie as the characters was not so funny and a bad attempt on Landis' part.
People, PLEASE don't confuse this 30th Anniversary Special Edition with the awful Double Secret Probation Edition!
I was taken aback at how sloppy Amazon is by somehow getting this 30th Anniversary Special Edition DVD of this movie mixed up with the horrible Double Secret Probation Edition version.
That was a major mistake, since the 30th Anniversary Special Edition features:
1) NO, and I repeat NO forced ads or even previews for other movies at the beginning. It only features a quick 15-20 second Universal Studios splash, then straight to the menu screen.
2) A second DVD featuring a nice little documentary about the making of the movie, featuring all the main cast members, save (of course) the late and very great John Belushi (gone, but not forgotten) explaining nearly any aspect about what led up to the production, filming, and even how the actors in the Delta House and the Omegas actually WERE separated to inculcate some real rivalry that would translate well to the screen. You also get the theatrical trailer and a fun little Scene It (R) quiz about the movie.
3) The movie itself in glorious full 16x9 widescreen format, with excellent image quality and sound.
4) The first DVD also features an amusing little mockumentary about "Where are they now?" featuring most of the actors, including John "Dean Wormer" Vernon (RIP now, sadly) playing along to what had happened 30 years after the Deltas destroyed the parade.
5) Even the case is slightly better than most DVD cases, featuring the two small latches that prevent it from accidentally popping open.
About the movie itself, I need not comment for anyone who has already seen this, one of the funniest movies ever made.
For the rest of you, I suggest you not rent, but instead BUY, and buy this edition of the DVD.
Trust me, every so often, you will want to watch it over, by yourself or with friends.
As Belushi says after destroying the guitar from "Charming Guy with Guitar," if you don't, you'll be "sorry!"
A Classic and Influential Comedy
Animal House is the kind of movie that nearly everyone can laugh at - many against their will. The humor is far from sophisticated but proudly so - and just watch those who normally claim to turn their proverbial nose up at such things struggle to contain laughter. The film is so well-known that it certainly needs no introduction from me; suffice it to say it is one of the few mega hit comedies still as funny as ever after three decades.
It is also significant for many other reasons, not least in being the launching pad for many people and things. Animal House was the first National Lampoon film, establishing a franchise that remains successful despite perhaps never equaling this. More obviously, it was the first successful film - or even the first film period - for nearly everyone involved: actors, director, writers, producers, etc. Most of them have gone on to notable and varied careers, but Animal House remains among their high points. Everyone rightly praises John Belushi's work here, and this is the movie that made him a household name, but to me the standout performance is John Vernon as the Dean, which is one of the great comic portrayals ever. The movie had an enormous influence on later comedies in every aspect from the college setting to the music, which was a radical departure in being fully serious. Animal House has been often imitated but, fans agree, never equaled.
However, the most notable aspect may be how vividly and realistically this portrays the college experience for many, especially men. The film was released in 1978 and is set in 1962, but its spirit crosses generations. College freshmen today can relate nearly as strongly as those originally targeted. It always makes a great gift for a college student and has strong potential to bring various generations together. Aside from those who just do not like - or will not admit to liking - the humor, some may scoff that the film sanctions traditionally immoral behavior and glorifies fraternity boys, hardly the proverbial role models for ever-tormented youth. However, we must all realize this is after all a comedy and meant in good fun. Besides, who can deny its general accuracy? The truth is always valuable, however much we may like to deny it.
The various reissues have a very generous amount of bonus material, making a purchase worthwhile even for those who have seen the film many times. Standard material - comments, trailer, cast/crew biographies, etc. - aside, there is a roughly thirty minute mockumentary featuring much of the original cast in character. It is a hilarious "Where Are They Now?" spoof following up on the final segment showing where many of the characters ended up. The comedy is very much in the spirit of the film, and long-time fans will love it. There is also a lengthy straight documentary featuring interviews with the actors as well as much of the crew. It gives much interesting information about the inspiration behind the movie as well as the making of it, reaction to it, and aftereffects, while also managing to be frequently entertaining. Make sure the edition you buy or rent has these; the Double Secret Probation Edition does, as does the 30th Anniversary Edition. This lets those who have long loved the film appreciate it anew, while those who still have not seen it have even less excuse than ever for continuing to wait.
Animal House Video
Arrived fast (Amazon.com is the BEST!) and was a great xmas gift for my niece, she loved it (and John Belushi!)...Thanks!
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