National Lampoon's Animal House
- Review Date: July 12, 2005
- Rated: R
- Genre: Comedy
- Release Year: 1978
- Running Time: 109 minutes
Common Sense Media says
John Belushi's raucous toga party isn't for young kids.
- Review Date: July 12, 2005
- Rated: R
- Genre: Comedy
- Release Year: 1978
- Running Time: 109 minutes
What parents need to know
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
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.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
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?
QUALITY
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.
Families can talk about...
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.
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | July 28, 1978 |
| DVD release date: | December 21, 1999 |
| Cast: | John Belushi, John Vernon, Tim Matheson |
| Director: | John Landis |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | R |
Great handpicked alternatives
Browse more movies
Top advice and articles
What parents and kids say
Share your thoughts with other parents and kids Write a user review
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
QUALITY
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!
Was this review useful?
QUALITY
not for kids
Gives kids the wrong idea about what college is all about.
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Was this review useful?
QUALITY
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
Great role models
Was this review useful?