7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Dean Wormer is determined to expel the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity, a motley crew of misfits and sociopaths bent on disrupting the well-starched status quo of Faber College.
Starring: John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon (I), Verna Bloom, Tom HulceComedy | 100% |
Romance | 13% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS 2.0
Spanish: DTS 2.0
German: DTS 2.0
Italian: DTS 2.0
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
Mobile features
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Delta Tau Chi, without a doubt the worst fraternity at Faber College. A constant thorn in the side of the school's administration, the Deltas are more interested in girls, alcohol and elaborate pranks than in bettering themselves through higher education. More than that, though, the Deltas -- and, more specifically, Animal House -- are responsible for launching an entire R-rated subgenre, the alumni of which include a variety of '80s gross-out comedies (chief among them Porky's) and, more recently, the American Pie franchise, The Hangover series and countless other unremittingly tasteless, boundary-pushing hits (and misses). And while Animal House isn't the most refined of its ilk -- it's both blessed and cursed with a raw, eager laugh-lust that isn't nearly as fresh or quite as funny as it was two and three decades ago -- it remains a culture-stamped classic. A product of its time, without question. A dated and grizzled genre pioneer, sure. But a late '70s comedy classic no less.
Pinto and Flounder search for a fraternity to call home...
Animal House has been cranked off the production line with more disregard for a truly filmic presentation than the recent Blu-ray release of American Graffiti. Don't be fooled by the 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer's graininess. While the presence of grain can be indicative of a faithful remaster, it can also easily be added or retained via artificial means after unnecessary applications of edge enhancement and noise reduction have taken their respective tolls. Alas, such is the case with Animal House. Not every fine texture has been wiped away, but smearing abounds; not every crisp edge is paired with a thick, white halo, but far too many shots are hindered by unsightly ringing to earn any sort of pass from me. Both EE and DNR are apparent throughout, and border on oppressive at times. It's rather obvious an older DVD-era master has been used to produce the new Blu-ray transfer, which is a real shame considering the film stands as one of the most universally beloved gross-out genre pics. (My video score has been bobbling between a 2.5 and a 3.0 for the better part of a day.)
Animal House does look better than it ever has before, and that will undoubtedly lead some to over-praise its attributes and overlook its shortcomings. Colors have received a modest upgrade, black levels are exceptionally deep, and contrast is serviceable. Unfortunately, skintones are waxy and unnatural, primaries are overcast, crush is rampant, and delineation is unremarkable. (Nighttime scenes are also problematic, but many of their issues trace back to the film's original photography, at least in part). Moreover, detail is average on the whole and the closeups and mid-range shots that do look good only serve to make those plagued by more noticeable EE and DNR all the more disappointing. Thankfully, aside from the aforementioned crush, smearing and ringing (whew), artifacting, banding and other compression anomalies don't stir up any trouble, and the presentation is, if nothing else, reasonably proficient. Ultimately, casual viewers will be pleased with the results, while fledgling and seasoned videophiles, perceptive purists and those pining for a proper restoration will be disheartened by what they see.
Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track isn't hobbled by any major issues and, in my estimation, retains the personality of the film's original mono mix while making smart use of the five additional channels at the new lossless track's disposal. Dialogue is clean and clear throughout (minus a few lines that get unceremoniously muffled in the Delta discord), prioritization rarely falters and other elements, despite having the distinct tininess of '70s-era sound effects, have made the transition to the 21st century without a hitch. The rear speakers aren't aggressive by any means, but they are active, spreading the Faber College campus across the soundfield without resorting to grand directional sleight-of-hand. Some may take issue with such passive support, but faithfulness should always be valued over modern immersiveness when evaluating a 5.1 remix of a thirty-three-year old single-channel source. Low-end output isn't going to crack any plaster either, but it is satisfying and lends welcome presence to a number of scenes. The highlight of the track, though, is the film's music, be it a song from Richard Berry, Sam Cooke, the Isley Brothers or one of the other artists featured in the soundtrack. It all amounts to an enjoyable experience. Front-heavy, yes. But an enjoyable experience all the same.
Animal House's back cover touts two U-Companion Blu-ray exclusives, but don't get excited. Each one falls terribly short in its own ways, meaning the only extras of note are a 45-minute reunion documentary and a 23-minute "Where Are They Now?" mockumentary... both of which have been available on DVD for some time. It doesn't help that they're presented in non-anamorphic standard definition.
Animal House may not be for everyone, but it remains a late '70s comedy classic, an early milestone in the gross-out subgenre and, for some, one of the funniest comedies of all time. While I'm not quite in love with it as some, it still makes me laugh and even tosses in a bit of social commentary for good measure. At the end of the day, it's hard to ask for much more from a film of its ilk. It isn't so hard to expect more from a Blu-ray release, though. Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a success, but the quality of its video transfer decreases as edge enhancement and noise reduction increase, and its supplemental package comes up short (despite the inclusion of a terrific 45-minute documentary and an amusing mockumentary). Whether it's all worth the price of admission, I leave to each of you. It does best its previous DVD releases in every way, though, meaning fans of the film will probably find a purchase to be worth their high-def dollars, regardless of how much better its video transfer and supplemental package could have been.
National Lampoon's Animal House / Universal 100th Anniversary
1978
1970s Best of the Decade / National Lampoon's Animal House
1978
National Lampoon's Animal House | Neighbors / A Million Ways to Die in the West Fandango Cash
1978
Pop Art
1978
1978
1978
1978
National Lampoon's Animal House | Remastered Edition
1978
National Lampoon's Animal House / 45th Anniversary / Universal Essentials Collection
1978
1984
2007
2002
2008
Unrated
2003
1986
2018
2000
Remastered
1980
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2011
1993
2014
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2018
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2004