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Lynn
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Thurs, Nov 6 2003 ..... 11:33 PM
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Although my college experience has been nothing like Animal House(so far...just
kididng), it was still really fun to watch this comedy. This movie makes a
statement about college life in the 60s, a time when parting was really
starting to pick up. It exaggerates what fraternity life is really like.
However, the fraternity boys in this movie seem to be a little more creative
in the pranks that they play (compared to any that I've heard about). This is
one reason that this movie has remained a classic, it has timeless energy and
craziness that will be funny for a long time to come.
As Derek said, everyone can learn something from this movie. If you are too
studious, like some Tech students can be, Animal House will make you think
that you might be missing out on some fun in college. However, if you are like
the fraternity men of Animal House, this movie will teach you that you might
need to shape up a little bit to survive in college.
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Ayyad
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Wed, Nov 5 2003 ..... 9:04 PM
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For the time that this movie was released (late 1970's) it seems to have set
a new standard for the other college movies that follow. Overall this comedy
was pretty good, I would not say that I really loved it but I did not hate it
either. The movie had so many unrealistic parts to it, everything from the
over the top fraternity to the parade gone haywire. The only things that could
be remotely realistic are the drunken parties and the fashion of the time
period. But here at tech, I doubt there is anyone that gets a 0.2 GPA or even
a 0.3, and if they do, they probably wont be here for an entire semester. As
for the “high class” fraternity, I would be really surprised if anyone can
find one of those over here at Georgia Tech. I guess it could have been a 60’s
thing, especially the part were the guys from that fraternity sit down have
tea and talk, more like brag, about the accomplishments of their fathers. I
would also agree with Kelly about how that college’s Dean is in no way similar
to ours, or any other in the United States. The whole thing about the Dean’s
Wife cheating on her husband in that fashion is way more believable than the
actual existence of the Dean's character. Something that i think is worth
noting is the scene in the movie where the guys are on a road trip and decide
to go into an African-American restaurant/bar. It somewhat kept the whole
time era in perspective, where white and black people were segregated in so
many ways. I guess that went off the topic a bit, but it came to mind as I
was recalling the movie. All in all i think its a great, relaxing, enjoyable
comedy that makes college look easy and fun. Not to forget the great
performance by the late John Balluchi.
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Stephanie
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Wed, Nov 5 2003 ..... 9:28 AM
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Animal House, a monumental movie in the late 70’s, depicts life in a college fraternity by using all of the stereotypes that are thought to portray a fraternity. I disagree with Derek in saying that I have not yet met someone who does not love the movie, I being one of them. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good comical movie, however, the antics in the movie did not amuse me all that much. Scary enough though that something(s) in the movie I could relate to what I have seen here at tech so far. Ideas such as fraternity rivalries, however, I have not seen them taken to such drastic measures as in the movie. Also the idea of homecoming as being a huge event in the movie relates well with tech’s ideas of homecoming. Tech’s homecoming is one of the largest events on campus as well as one the most fun to me. One other related issue is that of the grades of the men in the houses. GPA’s must be maintained above a certain criteria for the fraternity to stay active. I know a few of the houses that are on academic probation here at tech for failing to achieve this standard.
If you are looking for a laugh about what goes on in a college stereotypical atmosphere, especially in Greek life, this movie is a great one to watch. It shows us that you can not always take life to seriously, sometimes to just have to sit back and enjoy it once in awhile.
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Kelly
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Wed, Nov 5 2003 ..... 1:52 AM
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This week “Techies” reviewed Animal House, directed by John Landis and released in 1978. The movie is a parody of college life, especially life in the Greek system. It is described as, “a raunchy, screwball comedy [that is] a relentless spoof of 1960s college life by following the hilarious adventures of the Delta fraternity.”
I personally enjoy this movie to a great degree. It is humorous parody, yet has a slight sense of truth to it. I myself am part of the Greek system here at Georgia Tech, and while I have not experienced matters to the degree which Landis takes them, I still find myself being able to relate to some of the events in the film. For instance, Homecoming events (especially the floats) really ARE a big deal. One example of how the film completely distorts college life though, is when (toward the beginning of the film) the dean is meeting with the president of the rival fraternity and discussing the misbehavior of the Delta fraternity. The dean states, “the time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me. As of now, they are on double SECRET probation” (hence the title of the new release on DVD). In real life, the dean is in no way conspiring with any of the fraternity presidents… or is he?!? One aspect of the film that definitely relates to Georgia Tech is the seven year plan. Bluto, John Belushi’s character in the film, attends the university for a whopping seven years… but wait, that’s not really too outstanding for a co-op engineer at Georgia Tech! Also, in relation to fraternity life, some stereotypes upheld by both the movie and society, do hold quasi-true in actuality. For example, some of the Greek houses do appear to be comprised of one member cloned several times, yet also exist the melting pot that is demonstrated by the Delta fraternity. This slight truth is only slightly exaggerated by the film (consider initiation processes).
In conclusion, I think this is a fantastic film, as long as you don’t rely heavily on its accountability. It is a parody, and should be regarded as one. In the same instance though, some parallels may be made to real life. I think this should be deemed one of the best college movies ever produced.
Entertainment Rating: 10
Reality Rating: 6
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Derek
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Wed, Nov 5 2003 ..... 1:48 AM
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Going into my college career I had high hopes that college life would indeed be similar to that portrayed in Animal House. Sure, in the back of my mind I knew it was not true, but we can still dream, right? The constant antics and wildness that made Delta House so endearing to all of its fans is the very reason that hopefully not many Georgia Tech students can relate to the movie on a realistic level. But I have not met a student yet that does not love the movie.
Although it is a goofball comedy the parody that it makes on college life and the educational system in general hopefully leave somewhat of a lasting impression on at least a few of its viewers. I know of a few students that could use the realization that although partying is a lot of fun, despite what Animal House shows us we students have to graduate in four, five, six, seven (depending on who you talk to) years and survive in the world. Hopefully they will have prepared themselves. On the flip side, there certainly are a lot of students (a not-so-surprisingly large number at Tech) that could use the lesson that Animal House portrays so clearly that you can’t take life too seriously all of the time. They would do well to kick back and enjoy this comedy once in a while. Despite who you are Animal House is certainly a classic that should be enjoyed by all.
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