PCU

When they made this, it was a parody. All the groups were extremely exaggerated, for comedic effect. Now, in 2019, we know, too late, that it was a warning. And the groups are actually like that, now. Only it's not funny.

I loved this movie growing up! I was in my teens and couldn't wait to get to college!

I thought the group's were funny but now 20+ years later and it's scary how accurate this movie is to the way the US is now! So many different groups of people complaining or protesting about something

As far as homages to / imitations of "Animal House" go, this has to rank as a pretty good one. It's got good characters, some amusing dialogue, decent satire of special interest groups, and a cool soundtrack. Its pacing is acceptable, its running time brief (81 minutes in total), and its spirit irresistible.

Marking a rare directorial effort by actor Hart Bochner (who's best known as weaselly executive Ellis in the action classic "Die Hard"), "PCU" features Chris Young as Tom Lawrence, a clean cut, wide eyed "normal" sort of guy who is checking out Port Chester University to see if he'd like to go there in the fall. He gets caught up in the fervor of various "politically correct" activists, as well as the activities of the wacky guys and gals of The Pit, a student group known for their nonconformity.

As you may guess from that running time, there's really not that much story here, but there are enough laughs to keep the movie watchable. Jeremy Piven contributes a charismatic star turn as "Droz", leader of The Pit. Megan Ward and Sarah Trigger supply appealing love interests for Young and Piven. Jessica Walter does fine as an easier-on-the-eyes version of Dean Vernon Wormer. David Spade is extremely well cast as the snooty and smarmy preppie McPherson. There are also engaging performances by actor / director Jon Favreau and Alex Desert. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic further spice things up with their appearance. The climactic party shows how sometimes people just need to lighten up and enjoy life a little more.

With its well defined protagonists and antagonists, the end is appropriately satisfying, and overall "PCU" provides solid entertainment to those just looking to have a good time.

Seven out of 10.

Funny college comedy in the "Animal House" vein, with Piven out to save his dorm from being turned over to the young Republican legion led by David Spade. The film's gimmick has the school's last party dorm constantly under attack by women's libbers, radical black nationalists and vegetarians (who get raw meat dumped on them in the film's opening scenes, sure to weed out anybody who really shouldn't see this movie anyway). Above average laughs and sincerity for this kind of fare.

I liked seeing George Clinton in the film, too; I'm a big fan so I'm sort of biased, but I thought he and the guys and gals of P-Funk brought a lot to the film. In fact, several young people (I'm 27 myself, all you old Maggotheads) have told me they first heard of Parliament Funkadelic from this movie. That's great, but I sure wish they'd picked something better than that insipid "jump jump" song they used.

This is a near great movie that perfectly captures a time and place where AIDS was at the forefront of everybody's minds, grunge had revolutionized society overnight, feminism was taking it's place on campuses. Political correctness was growing and segregating campuses. There was a resurgence in pot use and a new love affair with hippie culture. In many ways this film predicted a lot of what would eventually happen to campuses and society 25 years later. It's scary to think it's been 25 years already.

The star of the show is Jeremy Piven. David Spade is also good and this is one of Favreau's earliest roles. There are some great witty lines here. Those of a different generation may not get it though I think a lot of today's younger generation will be able to relate.

2024 UPDATE: 5 years after my first review on this and 30 years after its release, this move is more relevant than ever.