What is National Lampoon? The answer is not as simple as it seems. National Lampoon is a comedy magazine founded in 1970 by Doug Kenney, Henry Beard, and Robert Hoffman. The magazine quickly gained popularity for its irreverent and often outrageous humor, and it soon became a cultural phenomenon. In the 1980s, National Lampoon began producing a series of successful films, including "National Lampoon's Animal House", "National Lampoon's Vacation", and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". These films were known for their raucous humor and their memorable characters, and they helped to define the comedy genre for a generation.
National Lampoon's humor is often characterized by its absurdity, its gross-out gags, and its willingness to offend. The magazine and its films have been criticized for being sexist, racist, and homophobic, but they have also been praised for their originality and their ability to make people laugh. National Lampoon has had a significant impact on American comedy, and it continues to be a popular source of entertainment for people of all ages.
National Lampoon's films are a unique and important part of American comedy. They are full of memorable characters, hilarious jokes, and over-the-top gags. If you're looking for a good laugh, then you should definitely check out a National Lampoon film.
Here are some of the most popular National Lampoon films:
- National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
- National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
- National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
National Lampoon's Movies
National Lampoon's movies are a series of comedy films produced by National Lampoon, a humor magazine founded in 1970. The films are known for their raucous humor, memorable characters, and over-the-top gags. Here are seven key aspects of National Lampoon's movies:
- Satire: National Lampoon's movies often satirize American culture and institutions, such as the family, the suburbs, and the government.
- Gross-out humor: National Lampoon's movies are not for the faint of heart. They are full of gross-out gags, such as vomit, diarrhea, and other bodily fluids.
- Physical comedy: National Lampoon's movies are full of physical comedy, such as slapstick, pratfalls, and stunts.
- Memorable characters: National Lampoon's movies feature a cast of memorable characters, such as Clark Griswold, Uncle Eddie, and Cousin Eddie.
- Cultural impact: National Lampoon's movies have had a significant impact on American culture. They have been quoted, parodied, and imitated by other comedians and filmmakers.
- Influence on other comedies: National Lampoon's movies have influenced a wide range of other comedies, from "Saturday Night Live" to "The Simpsons".
- Timeless appeal: National Lampoon's movies are still popular today, even though they were made decades ago. This is because they are funny, relatable, and timeless.
National Lampoon's movies are a unique and important part of American comedy. They are full of memorable characters, hilarious jokes, and over-the-top gags. If you're looking for a good laugh, then you should definitely check out a National Lampoon film.
Satire
Satire is a form of comedy that uses humor to criticize or make fun of a particular person, group, or institution. National Lampoon's movies are full of satire, and they often target American culture and institutions, such as the family, the suburbs, and the government.
For example, the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation" satirizes the American family vacation. The Griswold family is a dysfunctional family, and their vacation is a disaster. The movie pokes fun at the idea of the perfect family vacation, and it shows how stressful and chaotic vacations can be.
Another example of satire in National Lampoon's movies is the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House". This movie satirizes college life and the American education system. The movie follows a group of college students who are members of a fraternity. The students are lazy, immature, and irresponsible. The movie pokes fun at the idea of the American college experience, and it shows how ridiculous and over-the-top college life can be.
Satire is an important part of National Lampoon's movies. It allows the filmmakers to criticize and make fun of American culture and institutions. Satire can be a powerful tool for social change, and it can help to raise awareness of important issues.
Gross-out humor
Gross-out humor is a type of comedy that uses disgusting or offensive subject matter to elicit laughter. National Lampoon's movies are full of gross-out humor, and it is one of the things that makes them so popular with fans. Gross-out humor can be found in many different forms, from slapstick comedy to bodily function jokes. In National Lampoon's movies, gross-out humor is often used to satirize American culture and institutions.
- Satire: National Lampoon's movies often use gross-out humor to satirize American culture and institutions. For example, the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House" uses gross-out humor to satirize college life and the American education system. The movie follows a group of college students who are members of a fraternity. The students are lazy, immature, and irresponsible. The movie pokes fun at the idea of the American college experience, and it shows how ridiculous and over-the-top college life can be.
- Shock value: Gross-out humor can also be used for shock value. National Lampoon's movies often use gross-out humor to shock and disgust audiences. This can be effective in getting a laugh, but it can also be off-putting to some viewers.
- Catharsis: Gross-out humor can also be used for catharsis. This is the idea that laughter can be a way to release negative emotions, such as anger, disgust, or fear. National Lampoon's movies often use gross-out humor to help audiences release these negative emotions.
- Transgression: Gross-out humor can also be seen as a form of transgression. This is the idea that laughter can be a way to break social norms and taboos. National Lampoon's movies often use gross-out humor to transgress social norms and taboos. This can be seen as a way of challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.
Gross-out humor is a controversial type of comedy, but it is one of the things that makes National Lampoon's movies so popular. Gross-out humor can be used to satirize American culture and institutions, shock and disgust audiences, release negative emotions, and transgress social norms and taboos. Whether you love it or hate it, gross-out humor is an important part of National Lampoon's movies.
Physical comedy
National Lampoon's movies are known for their physical comedy, which is a type of comedy that uses physical humor to elicit laughter. Physical comedy can take many forms, including slapstick, pratfalls, and stunts. Slapstick is a type of physical comedy that involves exaggerated physical actions, such as slipping on a banana peel or getting hit in the face with a pie. Pratfalls are a type of physical comedy that involves falling down or tripping over something. Stunts are a type of physical comedy that involves performing dangerous or difficult physical feats, such as jumping off a building or driving a car through a wall.
- Slapstick: Slapstick is a type of physical comedy that involves exaggerated physical actions, such as slipping on a banana peel or getting hit in the face with a pie. Slapstick is often used in National Lampoon's movies to create humor and to satirize American culture and institutions.
- Pratfalls: Pratfalls are a type of physical comedy that involves falling down or tripping over something. Pratfalls are often used in National Lampoon's movies to create humor and to humiliate the characters.
- Stunts: Stunts are a type of physical comedy that involves performing dangerous or difficult physical feats, such as jumping off a building or driving a car through a wall. Stunts are often used in National Lampoon's movies to create excitement and to show off the actors' physical skills.
Physical comedy is an important part of National Lampoon's movies. It helps to create humor, to satirize American culture and institutions, to humiliate the characters, and to show off the actors' physical skills. Physical comedy is one of the things that makes National Lampoon's movies so popular with fans.
Memorable characters
The memorable characters in National Lampoon's movies are one of the things that make them so popular with fans. These characters are often exaggerated and over-the-top, but they are also relatable and lovable. They are the kind of characters that you can't help but root for, even when they are doing something outrageous.
One of the most memorable characters in National Lampoon's movies is Clark Griswold. Clark is the patriarch of the Griswold family, and he is always trying to do the right thing, but things always seem to go wrong for him. Clark is a lovable character because he is so relatable. He is just a regular guy who is trying to do his best, but he always seems to get into trouble.
Another memorable character in National Lampoon's movies is Uncle Eddie. Uncle Eddie is Clark's brother-in-law, and he is a bit of a screw-up. Uncle Eddie is always getting into trouble, but he is also a kind and caring person. He is the kind of character that you can't help but love, even though he is always making mistakes.
Cousin Eddie is another memorable character in National Lampoon's movies. Cousin Eddie is Clark's cousin, and he is a bit of a redneck. Cousin Eddie is always getting into trouble, but he is also a loyal and supportive friend. He is the kind of character that you can always count on, even when he is making a mess of things.
The memorable characters in National Lampoon's movies are one of the things that make them so special. These characters are relatable, lovable, and always getting into trouble. They are the kind of characters that you can't help but root for, even when they are doing something outrageous.
Cultural impact
National Lampoon's movies have had a significant impact on American culture. They have been quoted, parodied, and imitated by other comedians and filmmakers. This is because National Lampoon's movies are funny, relatable, and timeless. They capture the American experience in a way that is both hilarious and heartwarming.
- Cultural touchstone
National Lampoon's movies have become a cultural touchstone. They are referenced in popular culture, and they have inspired countless other works of art. For example, the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House" has been parodied in countless other movies and TV shows.
- Influence on comedy
National Lampoon's movies have had a major influence on the development of comedy in the United States. They helped to popularize a new style of comedy that was more satirical and irreverent. This style of comedy has been adopted by many other comedians and filmmakers.
- Reflection of American culture
National Lampoon's movies are a reflection of American culture. They satirize American institutions and values, and they often poke fun at the American way of life. However, they also celebrate the American spirit, and they show that Americans are capable of laughing at themselves.
- Timeless appeal
National Lampoon's movies have a timeless appeal. They are still funny today, even though they were made decades ago. This is because they are well-written, well-acted, and full of memorable characters.
National Lampoon's movies are a valuable part of American culture. They are funny, relatable, and timeless. They have had a significant impact on the development of comedy in the United States, and they continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
Influence on other comedies
National Lampoon's movies have had a significant impact on the development of comedy in the United States. Their unique brand of satire and irreverence has been adopted by many other comedians and filmmakers. Some of the most notable examples include "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons".
"Saturday Night Live" is a sketch comedy show that has been on the air since 1975. The show has featured some of the biggest names in comedy, including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Tina Fey. "Saturday Night Live" has often been praised for its political satire and its ability to skewer current events. The show's humor is often absurdist and surreal, and it owes a great deal to the influence of National Lampoon's movies.
"The Simpsons" is an animated sitcom that has been on the air since 1989. The show follows the lives of the Simpson family, a dysfunctional family living in the fictional town of Springfield. "The Simpsons" is known for its satirical take on American culture and its sharp wit. The show's humor is often observational and ironic, and it owes a great deal to the influence of National Lampoon's movies.
The influence of National Lampoon's movies on other comedies is undeniable. Their unique brand of satire and irreverence has helped to shape the development of comedy in the United States. National Lampoon's movies are a valuable part of American culture, and they continue to influence comedians and filmmakers today.
Timeless appeal
The timeless appeal of National Lampoon's movies is a testament to their quality and enduring relevance. These films have managed to stay popular for decades because they are funny, relatable, and timeless. Their humor is not dependent on current events or trends, and their characters and stories are still relevant to audiences today.
One of the reasons why National Lampoon's movies are so funny is because they are so relatable. The characters are flawed and human, and their misadventures are something that everyone can identify with. Whether you're watching Clark Griswold trying to plan the perfect family vacation or Uncle Eddie getting into trouble, you can't help but laugh at their antics because they remind you of your own family and friends.
In addition to being funny and relatable, National Lampoon's movies are also timeless. The themes they explore are universal and timeless, and they continue to resonate with audiences today. For example, the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House" explores the theme of rebellion against authority. This is a theme that is still relevant today, and it's one of the reasons why the movie remains so popular.
The timeless appeal of National Lampoon's movies is a testament to their quality and enduring relevance. These films are funny, relatable, and timeless, and they continue to entertain audiences of all ages.
FAQs About National Lampoon's Movies
National Lampoon's movies are a series of comedy films produced by National Lampoon, a humor magazine founded in 1970. The films are known for their raucous humor, memorable characters, and over-the-top gags.
Question 1: What is the most popular National Lampoon's movie?
Answer: National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) is the most popular National Lampoon's movie. It is a comedy about a group of college students who are members of a fraternity. The movie is known for its raucous humor and memorable characters.
Question 2: Who directed the most National Lampoon's movies?
Answer: Harold Ramis directed the most National Lampoon's movies. He directed three films: National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), and National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985).
Question 3: What is the budget of a typical National Lampoon's movie?
Answer: The budget of a typical National Lampoon's movie is around $10 million. This is a relatively low budget for a major Hollywood film.
Question 4: What is the critical reception of National Lampoon's movies?
Answer: The critical reception of National Lampoon's movies has been mixed. Some critics have praised the films for their humor and originality, while others have criticized them for their lack of taste and vulgarity.
Question 5: What is the cultural impact of National Lampoon's movies?
Answer: National Lampoon's movies have had a significant cultural impact. They have been quoted, parodied, and imitated by other comedians and filmmakers. The films have also helped to popularize a new style of comedy that is more satirical and irreverent.
Question 6: Are National Lampoon's movies still popular today?
Answer: Yes, National Lampoon's movies are still popular today. They continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The films are often shown on television and are available on DVD and streaming services.
National Lampoon's movies are a unique and important part of American comedy. They are funny, relatable, and timeless. They have had a significant impact on the development of comedy in the United States, and they continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
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Conclusion
National Lampoon's movies are more than just comedies; they are cultural touchstones. They have influenced a generation of comedians and filmmakers, and they continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. National Lampoon's movies are a unique and important part of American comedy.
National Lampoon's movies offer a satirical look at American culture and institutions. They are full of memorable characters, hilarious jokes, and over-the-top gags. National Lampoon's movies are not for everyone, but they are an important part of American comedy.
National Lampoon's movies are a reminder that laughter is a powerful tool. It can be used to criticize, to satirize, and to bring people together.
