712. Animal House (1978)

Starring: Jon Belushi, Karen Allen, Tom Hulce

Director: John Landis

Running Time: 107 mins

Animal House is an American film about the crazy escapades of the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity at a 1962 university, and their ongoing battles with the Dean whose aim it is to expel all of them.

Now, as well as being hugely hilarious and insane all the way throughout, it’s interesting to look at this film as incredibly influential in this ever popular teen rom-com genre, but that’s mainly because of its fantastic comedy, great performances and brilliant story.

Actually, I don’t think it’s right to classify this film as a rom-com, because there’s so little in the way of an actual romance (even though there are mentions throughout), and there’s so much in the way of mad comedy, however the almost debaucherous way in which absolutely everything about the characters and the story of this film is presented does give it that whole feel.

However, the majority of this film is just completely nuts. It’s largely the story of the crazy activities and lives of the members of this mad fraternity, shown to be the lowest of the low, yet seems to be the most fun by far, and that really comes across throughout the film in the total madness of absolutely everything that the guys do.

And the best thing about this film in particular is that the guys’ idiocy and madness isn’t at all annoying. Instead, despite seeing how completely irresponsible and unrealistic this situation is, the excessive nature of their stupidity makes it all the more fun to watch and laugh at.

One of the other most entertaining things about this film is the brilliantly famous performance by John Belushi as ‘Bluto’, perhaps the most idiotic of all teen film characters, but by far the most endearing and hilarious one I’ve ever seen, and that pretty much sums up the whole feel of this film, so that’s why it gets a 7.6.