PCU (1994)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

I bought this movie at a discount store for several reasons: 1) The IMDb reviews give it nearly a "7"(???); 2) I LOVE Jeremy Piven, David Spade, Chris Young, et al; 3) I was NOT expecting a high budget, true "Animal House" experience for an indie film; and, 4) I genuinely love college comedies/spoofs if they are done well and have a heart/direction. I should also preface the fact I don't like Hart Bochner as an actor so I went in trying to forget he was behind the lens for this experience.I wanted to love it. I really did. I was NOT expecting Shakespeare or even "SNL" actually. Nothing will touch "Animal House" on the originality scale but I appreciate people trying to put out a quality movie. I love to laugh and enjoy even low-brow humor when done with good intentions by the actors/writer/director. Unfortunately, this movie was neither funny nor inspired. Don't get me wrong, there are some smile-worthy moments - how can you not giggle a little when Jeremy Piven goes into his pre-stardom everyman-speed-riff humor he patented in such later gems as "Serendipity" and "Just Write"? However, this mess of a storyline with every possible college cliché or ridiculous stereotype thrown at you seems like they were straining to come up with valid story points on the fly to complete the project. Seriously, even in a spoof/satire of college life there needs to be at least some resemblance of reality.I won't give any spoilers away, but if you have ever attended any college - from the Ivy League/Cambridge-caliber all the way down to the local community college -, I can honestly say I never, ever saw some of the deliriously brazen disregard for college life or the wonderfully odd, individual students who attend. Even by the lowest standards of any institution in the world, students need to attend a class and maintain a resemblance of a GPA. Honestly, for all the people who watched this movie (and I understand the story was over ONE weekend), were these based on any real students? They all looked and acted like a ridiculous caricature of spoiled rich kids, dopey addicts/activists with no direction and/or frat kids with zero intention on truly attending class and/or receiving any sort of degree. It was simply -- an unmitigated mess.I don't believe it is a total waste of time as, like I stated above, there are a few "smile" moments. That's why I gave it a "2" instead of lower. But as a whole, the story is such an "Animal House" rip-off without being remotely inventive or funny it doesn't bear a comparison in the slightest. Nobody should ever be ashamed of the work they do on a movie unless they "mail it in" (think Bruce Willis lately ;-). I believe the director seemed to have mailed it in. I believe the actors gave their all to a very weak, uninspired, unmemorable script. They all deserved better. So did the viewer. I will be either giving my copy to Goodwill or the trash. Sad... I really wanted to love this one. Maybe next time...

This movie has so many lines in it that I still love to quote after all these years. Most of them make people who haven't seen it turn their heads. Quotes like "We're NOT gonna protest!" or "Can you blow me where the pampers is?" (Followed by "Can you show me where the campus is?") or "Gutter is a Tool!" are really funny when well used around the right people. I laughed throughout this movie. The scenes with Gutter are hilarious!; from the problems getting beer to accidentally bringing back George Clinton to the frat house, to the attempt to people surf during the party at the end. Droz has his moments as well. I think the "We're not gonna protest" speech at the end of the movie was the highpoint of the movie. I think this movie deserves a much better overall rating.

I must have watched PCU over two dozen times back in the late 90s when Comedy Central was running it to death. Absolutely the kind of film I would NEVER EVER think I'd like, but I watch it every time it's on. I developed a genuine affection for it. Why? I don't know. After all, it's 90% "Animal House" ripoff right to the core. The whole slob-house gang versus the useless administration and annoying rival Greek letter outfit. Instead of "Otis, My Man!" there's George Clinton and P-Funk. Instead of Otter, there's Droz, instead of John Belushi, there's "Gutter" and so on. I know this reads like I'm putting it down, but far from it. Any movie about college that features a student who's senior thesis is watching TV 24/7 just to prove that there's always a Gene Hackman or Michael Caine movie playing is OK with me! Very twisted! I'll never buy the DVD, but I will watch it anytime I happen to catch it on my cable.

This may be one of the best comedies ever made.My dad attended college in the late 1960s, a few years after the film "Animal House" was supposedly set. But he always maintained that his fraternity, Psi Phi, was just like the Delta House in the film. I had my doubts......until I saw PCU, and then a year or so later, I started my own college career.This movie captures the essence of college in the mid-90s. It is truthful about the left-wing, PC bullsh*t that is so pervasive on campus. It is real.I don't know how much value this film offers for new college students. But if you attended college in the 90s, this is the film for you. This is the film when you want to reminisce, when you're feeling nostalgic.Want some advice? PCU is a keeper.