College movies, we all have that one go to college movie and seems to define our experiences in college. I admit that I had a few.  Having gone to college in the 90s. Tommy Boy with Chris Farley and David Spade is right up there for me. And Dumb and Dumber will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to living in a dorm. But I think there is one essential college movie that no matter what generation you are, you have to experience and as we close out 2018 and another College semester starts I think it’s only right that we take a look back 40 years ago and  the movie that really summed up the absurdity of college,  helping young men and women grow up to become adults when in fact they were still just children at heart. And that movie is Animal House.

It’s a National Lampoon’s product created out of the same satirical thought process that made us realize that we can’t take life too seriously. Animal House in a lot of ways cements the idea that we don’t have to grow up after college and that taking life too seriously leads to a boring life. At least that’s what I see in the film, but I think if there is a certain truth to that. Perhaps the world would be a lot better if more people thought that way. If I had to review the movie oh, I would honestly say that it’s not perfect, but it is highly enjoyable and is one that you will watch again and again. 40 years the laughs never get old and I think the film is still just as relevant. You’re still going to have fraternities that are more like some regimented fascist regime or something like the Gestapo compared to those we realize that the best way to live in a crappy world is to just have a good time any which way you can. While the film is set right before the beginnings of the Vietnam War, when our country would be incredibly divided and it seems like this film is only a product of its time, like I said I think it’s just as relevant today. We’re still dealing with Wars, the country is still divided, and it seems like everybody has forgotten how to have a sense of humor because too many people get offended by the simplest things. I don’t even know if this film could get made today.

However, after 40 years I think the true statement of Animal House is a reminder that we will have plenty of time to grow up be responsible and that is important, but what’s even more important is those times when we can be young and silly, reacting with a great sense of humor to the absurdity of the world around us. We need that innocence before we have to grow up. We need to have those irresponsible experiences if nothing else to help remind us that it is okay to grow and take like a little bit more serious, but that we should always have our sense of humor. And if nothing else, if we are put on some double secret probation, whatever that is, the best reaction is to throw a toga party and laugh in the face of our punishment.

Animal House will never get old,  we will always see these kinds of characters no matter what time period we live in. And while there are other great College movies, movies like Glory Daze or PCU…. I think that there’s only one that is a must-see college movie and that’s Animal House. It should be an introductory movie if you have to watch before you move into your first dorm. I do consider it an educational film and some educational films are definitely outdated, not this one. Plus, if you’re a fan of John Belushi, this is Belushi at his best. So for kids going to school for the first time or even going back to school, you might think that this is just a movie for your dad’s generation and you may be right, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t appreciate the humor and see how relatable it is even today. 40 years later Animal House is still a must-see College movie and can better prepare you for what’s ahead more than any PowerPoint presentation by an RA or student advisor. The best student advisor, I ever had when I went to college didn’t even say anything, just put this movie in and said “this’ll is what you need to know, college is supposed to be fun.” Wise words and National Lampoon’s couldn’t put it any better.