The movie is vulgar, raunchy, ribald, and occasionally scatological. It is also the funniest comedy since Mel Brooks made The Producers.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
fresh:
National Lampoon's Animal House is by no means one long howl, but it's often very funny, with gags that are effective in a dependable, all-purpose way.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
9 May 2005
fresh:
There's enough bite and bawdiness to provide lots of smiles and several broad guffaws.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
25 Jul 2007
fresh:
The Lampoon people understand the darkest secret of an American college education: one of the noblest reasons to go is to spend four years studying sex.
– Frank Rich,
TIME Magazine,
25 Jul 2007
rotten:
While the low comedy is undeniably effective, the film leaves behind a bad taste of snobbery and petty meanness.