Students at Lepetomane University (colloquially known as Lobotomy U) Bob McGraw, Max, Irwin, and Gonzer (Played by Tim Matheson, Dan Monahan, Sandy Helberg, and Stephen Furst respectively) are reluctantly coerced by the dean of their university to enter and intercollegiate raft race so Lepetomane can claim even the most minor of accolades to its name. The four initially refuse, but soon change their minds when met with the promise of any degree in any subject they want (as well as some blackmail for good measure). The four enter the race and meet not only a team of co-eds (one of whom Bob falls for) but also the insidious and cheating elites from Ivy University who'll do ANYTHING to win.
Released in 1984 to decent reviews (including two thumbs up from Siskel & Ebert) the movie was unfortunately not a big performer at the box office making $11 Million against a $7 million budget. The movie had the misfortune of being released along side another shenanigans comedy, the mostly forgotten 1984 remake of beach party movie Where the Boys Are. Despite getting lost in the shuffle and not being as iconic as Revenge of the Nerds or Animal House, I'd say this is a better movie than more well known films of a similar ilk like Spring Break or Porky's.
The movie starts off on the right foot from the opening scene where we see a dilapidated frat house with a crow and various Wile E. Coyote esque failed attempts by the hungover residents to make it shut up. All four of our leads are well cast and the movie does a good job of not only giving them great opportunities for chemistry and character, but the movie also makes them quite lovable losers/slobs who we want to see win. Included with the group is Bob's dog named Chuck (who's probably the smartest one of the group) and Chuck is incredibly well trained and gets a lot of laughs from certain sequences in the film. The movie is clearly inspired by other films of the time (the frat house even bears a passing resemblance to Delta House) but the movie does just enough to differentiate itself that it makes draws you in with its humor and genuine likability.
Up the Creek isn't one of the all time great comedies, but it's a GOOD comedy that deserves more attention than it gets. If you've 90 minutes to kill and you need a college shenanigans fix, then look no further than here.
Released in 1984 to decent reviews (including two thumbs up from Siskel & Ebert) the movie was unfortunately not a big performer at the box office making $11 Million against a $7 million budget. The movie had the misfortune of being released along side another shenanigans comedy, the mostly forgotten 1984 remake of beach party movie Where the Boys Are. Despite getting lost in the shuffle and not being as iconic as Revenge of the Nerds or Animal House, I'd say this is a better movie than more well known films of a similar ilk like Spring Break or Porky's.
The movie starts off on the right foot from the opening scene where we see a dilapidated frat house with a crow and various Wile E. Coyote esque failed attempts by the hungover residents to make it shut up. All four of our leads are well cast and the movie does a good job of not only giving them great opportunities for chemistry and character, but the movie also makes them quite lovable losers/slobs who we want to see win. Included with the group is Bob's dog named Chuck (who's probably the smartest one of the group) and Chuck is incredibly well trained and gets a lot of laughs from certain sequences in the film. The movie is clearly inspired by other films of the time (the frat house even bears a passing resemblance to Delta House) but the movie does just enough to differentiate itself that it makes draws you in with its humor and genuine likability.
Up the Creek isn't one of the all time great comedies, but it's a GOOD comedy that deserves more attention than it gets. If you've 90 minutes to kill and you need a college shenanigans fix, then look no further than here.