Well, it’s almost summer. Last year around this time, I reviewed three types of films within a span of three months. It was a great thing to do and I’m doing it once more. To spice it up this time around, I’ll be talking about films based on comedies, sci-fi, and book adaptations. With all that cleared up, let’s get started.
What hasn’t been said about National Lampoon’s Animal House? It’s been universally regarded as one of the best comedies to ever come out in the last century. Influential as it is, it broke many grounds for what a comedic film can get away with at that time. The film has been referenced in various media and often imitated, but it will always remain the best "National Lampoon" film.
1. The Deltas
I kind of find it odd that the movie takes place nearly a decade ago from the actual release. Anyways, we see two new freshman Larry and Kent at Faber College. Both are looking to join fraternities since it’s Rush Week. After being scoffed at by the Omegas, they turn to the Deltas as pledges. And the rest is history as we see just how chaotic the individual brothers are. Nowadays, news of any frat is mostly depressing to read. Before that, the Deltas are the quintessential example of what a frat is. Albeit, without a myriad of problems that’s borderline questionable.
Each man or brother has a unique personality that isn’t all just deliberate debauchery. While Bluto steals the show and has put the late John Belushi on the map, the other members are par for the course by being carefree. It doesn’t feel too bloated since most of the men get their time to shine. Or share the spotlight. For instance, when Bluto eats with Otter in the cafeteria. He causes a ruckus which culminates in a food fight. This is probably the best way the film manages to juggle a big cast.
Since it’s a daunting challenge to show or balance a cast that’s somewhat big, what the film does is to pair them in groups and keep the chemistry going. Now, we don’t get moments with all of them. Some are shown but to be the butt of the joke or to build up what will be a standout moment. Even further, we see moments where they get fooled by their rival frat, the Omegas.
At the core, we see just how much the frat has influenced a lot of the men and newcomers. Especially the two freshmen as they slowly turn into their upperclassmen brothers into the desecration and debauchery examples that we see. And is that to say that the frats have a negative impact on those who join them? The film hilariously touches on that, but the overall point is to show just how much being a frat means to them. It’s the memories and the camaraderie that they do. Albeit, insane and messed up for today’s standards.
2. Class Commentary
If there was a deep underlying message in a film that mostly involves sex, getting drunk, and unintentionally killing a horse, it’s probably that the film can be used as a representation for low class and high class. It’s kind of interesting that it can be interpreted that way. Which I’ve noticed that motif whenever the film pops up every know and then.
It’s obvious what the two frats represent. The Omegas are the snobby bunch, while the Deltas are a motley crew of misfits and rejects. It really shows just how different they are in terms of who they are. From the start, the Omegas have a preferable view of what pledge they want, whilst the others will take anyone for the dues. All the actions from both frats are possibly equal in terms of screwing over someone to their own benefit. Since there is a grey morality to it when they do something that is questionable.
Both frats easily represent order and chaos. With the Dean conspiring with the Omegas to find a way to kick out the rejects out of the campus. And you can’t really blame him since he’s doing the right thing by maintaining his brand of authority. But he stoops to a low that he’s willing to try anything to kickout the lousy frat. Easily abusing his power to gain a favor for the town’s mayor. All of that comes to head in the finale, which is the best part of the film.
3. Legacy
To say the influence of the film is often overstated. While looking at the opening credits, I was surprised that there was pool of talent that would influence future comedic movies. Such as having Ivan Reitman be the producer on the film. He would go on to direct Ghostbusters and Stripes to name a few. More so that the actors have gone on to have successful acting careers.
Also, this film was the first to get the ball rolling on raunchy comedies. I believe that Landis’ first comedic film The Kentucky Fried Movie, to be the one to experiment with having dirty jokes be hilarious. Animal House nailed it by having lovable characters and having a great execution. Many others tried to be as raunchy or amp it up, but they can’t possibly top this film’s use of raunchy jokes.
4. Overall
Animal House is it’s own breed. No way could it ever be remade, but it’s a relic of a time when chaos ruled.
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