 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
National Lampoon's Animal House
- Review Date: July 12, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1978
Common Sense Media says
John Belushi's raucous toga party isn't for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the only moral here is hatred for authority and partying. That means a lot of drunken revelry, pranks, and violence to make their point. It also means characters cheat on each other, binge drink, steal cars, and sleep with underage girls. Some female nudity.
What's the story?
Fight for your right to party! In NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE, that's what the boys of the Delta House fraternity plan to do, despite the nefarious plans of the dean (John Vernon) and the guys of Omega house (notably, the chief meanie played by Mark Metcalf). Bluto (John Belushi), Otter (Tim Matheson), and the other guys of Delta house are seven-year seniors who use their time at school to score with girls, have toga parties, and generally enjoy themselves. But Dean Wormer and the bullies of Omega house are out to harsh their mellow. The dean puts the fraternity on "double secret probation," and plans to throw them out at their next infraction. So when the guys steal Doug Neidermeyer's horse and put it in the dean's office for fun, and their grades come out far below the required level to stay at the school, the dean pulls their charter and expels the guys. But will they go out without a fight? Not a chance.
Is it any good?
For any guy who's ever had the figurative sand kicked in his face by a jock or been placed in the "dweeb corner" at the cool-guy party, John Landis' film is wish fulfillment.
Don't bother trying to find the plot here. It's more fun to go along for the prank-playing, wiseass ride while singing along with the amazingly energetic soundtrack. If you think too hard about it, Animal House isn't a whole lot better than today's teen sexploitation films like American Pie.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how they deal with bullies. When someone is mean to you, do you imagine pulling off a prank like the ones the Deltas pull on Dean Wormer and the Omegas? What's a healthier way to deal with your anger? The film is also a good opportunity for parents to talk about appropriate behavior with sexual partners. Also, why do you think this film has a cult following? Does it epitomize what made John Belushi so funny on Saturday Night Live? Adult comedy buffs may want to look up Belushi's funniest moments from SNL and share them with kids. Many -- like the Samurai Deli sketch -- showcase his astounding comedic talents in a much more kid-appropriate fashion.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
How old is your reviewer?
I couldn't find the bio on your reviewer for this piece, Heather Boerner. Maybe she's too young to understand that Animal House is now, and probably was when made, a period piece about the early sixties, a time when 18 year olds couldn't vote but could drink and be drafted, college was often very cheap, drugs and open sex in the popular culture were new and exciting, and integration was an ideal that hadn't really begun to be accomplished yet. Undoubtedly you should discuss it with your teens, or maybe encourage them to discuss it with their grandparents, but to whine about its lack of morals? Give me a break! It's an extremely entertaining social history lesson!
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Parent of 13 and 15 year old
September 16, 2009
AGE
not for kids
Gives kids the wrong idea about what college is all about.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 16 years old
March 23, 2011
AGE
Will turn into the best four years ever!!
Animal House is hands down the best comedy ever. Between drinking with friends, pulling pranks, and joining in food fights, college has never been better. And what about the ladies? Well, rest assured you will not be disappointed. Just remember, "Over, did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell NO!!"
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
toga! toga!
this movie is awesome!!!
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Teen, 13 years old
January 22, 2011
AGE
Awesome!
I saw it last year... there was al ot of sex but i loved it!!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I am 15 and i saw this movie when I was 13 and then my mom bought it for me so I don't see what the big deal is I mean so what it's not like most kids have not heard all the curse words in it.
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Adult
June 17, 2009
AGE
What other families should know:
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Parent of 13 year old
October 27, 2009
AGE
This movie is excellent, but not for kids
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | John Landis |
| Cast: | John Belushi, John Vernon, Tim Matheson |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 28, 1978 |
| DVD release date: | December 21, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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