Greek Reeks

Since the release of John Landis's classic, Animal House, many filmmakers have attempted to recreate the drunken mischief of collegiate greek life. The latest addition to the genre, Sorority Boys, is one of the more painful ones. Directed by Wally Wolodarsky, Sorority Boys is the story of Adam (Michael Rosenbaum), Doofer (Harland Williams) and Dave (Barry Watson), three guys who decide to cross-dress and pledge the "worst" sorority on campus Delta Omicron Gamma (get it?), in order to get back into their fraternity. Stupid? Yes. Funny? No.

Sorority Boys employs the lowest level, gross-out, foul-language humor from start to finish. Sadly, there are few good laughs and no memorable quotes that sometimes save stupid college-party flicks. The film uses knee-slappers such as the groin kick, men tripping in high heels, cat-fights and dildo gags. Good thing it touches on serious topics: the exclusiveness of the greek system and the degradation of women who aren't preppy anorexics. Girls' shower scenes and wet T-shirt shots contrast with the exploration of frat-boy feminism. The best performance is Mark Metcalf's brief role as that dirty old man returning to his old frat house, ogling "tomcats." Metcalf played Neidermeyer in the original Animal House. Too bad he couldn't have brought John Belushi with him.

So thank you, Mr. Landis, for the original--but did you have to inspire remakes like Sorority Boys?