This is one of those movies that works for all the wrong reasons--disgusting, lowbrow, base humor that we are all far too sophisticated to find amusing. So, just don't tell anyone you still think it's a riot to watch John ... more »Belushi as the brutish Bluto slurp Jell-O or terrorize his less-aggressive fellow students. This crude parody of college life in the '60s spawned many imitations, but none could match the fresh-faced talent or bad taste of this huge box office success. (Remember all those toga parties in the '80s?) The first of the National Lampoon movies, this was originally released as National Lampoon's Animal House. Keep an eye out for a very young Kevin Bacon in his first credited screen appearance. --Rochelle O'Gorman« less
Excellent movie, but the forced ads are what kill it!
Ivan K. Samuelson | OH USA | 01/13/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"First off, I love Animal House. There is no reason for me to even explain the movie. Animal House and the Blues Brothers are the best Landis/Belushi movies of all time. There are some special features such as a "Where are they now" featurette featuring many of the original cast (except Belushi of course). But, even those features and this excellent movie cannot save this DVD from a one-star rating.
As others have stated, not being able to skip the adds at the beginning of the DVD is a poor marketing decision. They did the same with American Wedding, but at least, I can hit stop on my DVD player to stop the DVD, whereas with Animal House, I have to turn off my DVD player. Very poor.
I have already written to Universal Studios about my displeasure with their decision for both Animal House and American Wedding and have informed them that unless they change their tactics, I refuse to purchase another Universal DVD release and that hundreds of other purchasers feel the same, based on reviews at Amazon.com.
Stay away from this if you absolutely feel that not being able to skip the adds is wrong. Otherwise, be prepared to sit through 5+ minutes of commercials for other Universal movies. Your best bet is to go make some popcorn and come back. At that point, it should be done and then you can enjoy this excellent, funny parody of life in a frat house in the late 60s.
Toga! Toga! Toga!"
Forced Advertisements
David J. Pinch | Minneapolis, MN | 11/21/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Universal has decided to shove advertisements down our throats. Viewers CANNOT skip past the advertisements. You cannot skip to the DVD menu/title, nor can you jump to any chapters until the long previews have been completed. This is insane. Boycott this DVD."
I third that!
11/14/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I just put this DVD in and haven't even watched it, but that will not stop me from giving this title a 1 - and that's only because they don't allow negative ratings! Mandatory COMMERCIALS that you cannot skip are completely and utterly unacceptable for any DVD I purchase. I'll wait in the future for reviews before I buy any DVDs...I like the movie, and the transfer looks ok from the first few minutes, its too bad I had to pay to watch a commerical..."
Great movie, terrible edition ...
peppersdad | Los Angeles | 04/15/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"You absolutely must refuse to buy this edition that is front-loaded with 10 minutes of unskippable commercials. And you must post horrible reviews here for that very reason, as well as complain in writing to Universal. Otherwise your apathy will allow Universal to continue putting this spam in front of all its releases, and the other studios will follow. (And while I'm on this subject, please don't be afraid to boo the commercials they show at the beginnings of movies in theatres. Let management know that you're outraged.)Animal House is definitely a classic, although I agree with those who've commented that it hasn't spawned anything particularly positive. Still, the movie on it's own terms is a riot, and I'd rate it about four and a half stars. So buy a used copy of the out-of-print original Collector's Edition (with the metallic blue cover) either here on Amazon or on eBay. But this particular version needs to be buried forever with the ground salted above it."
I Love Animal House The Movie. I Hate This DVD.
PF | 05/11/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I must have seen this movie 20 times as a kid.
Could not wait to watch the DVD:
- HEY! What's with all the commercials?
- WHERE did I leave the remote?
- WHY isn't remote control working? SMACK, SMACK, SLAM, SMACK!
- WAIT a minute, the remote is working. The DVD must be locked!
WOW! What jerk thought up this new torture?
It's one thing if you decide to watch the previews.
This is just cruel...
I wish I had read the other reviews before buying this DVD.
My excitement was dead by the time the movie started.