This Limited Edition Steelbook and Special Edition Blu-ray release from Arrow Video (www.arrowvideo.com – www.facebook.com/ArrowVideo/) will be available for purchase on July 23rd, 2019.
As someone who grew up in the 80s, I remember a lot of flicks at cinemas falling into the category of horror or teen sex comedy. No doubt this had more than a little to do with youngsters having a disposable income, viewing audiences getting younger, and the rise in popularity of the home video market. Despite the focus on kids, some moviemakers managed to create memorable works based around the life and experiences of being a teenager.
John Hughes was one of the greats, getting his start as a screenwriter on films like Mr. Mom and National Lampoon’s Vacation in 1983, before branching out on his own and writing/directing several iconic titles. 1984’s Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club were released the following year to mostly good press and announced the arrival of a major talent. In particular, the second feature really stood out, utilizing a small cast, single location and focusing on kids from different social groups discussing their personal fears and concerns. As such, many were awaiting Hughes to deliver another telling and poignant examination of youngsters with his next effort. What followed was not what anyone might have expected.
Weird Science was a silly film made in the mold of other teen sex comedies being released at the time. Yes, it was a big hit for the filmmaker and studio, but many critics and viewers were a little confused by the sudden left turn and regression into genre tropes that the director’s previous films had seemed determined to avoid. In truth, one could make the assumption that after the intense, personal approach taken to The Breakfast Club, the filmmaker had decided to simply let loose and have a bit of fun in a mold closer to his contemporaries.
Admittedly, this title isn’t nearly as effective as his other works. However, the bizarreness of the concept and the phenomenal cast of current and future stars helped to elevate the movie over its counterparts. It is an amusing little time capsule of a different era that will certainly provide nostalgic charms to those who were of a certain age during its initial release. As such, the movie still has a massive following. Arrow Video have delivered a stunning Blu-ray upgrade to the feature that includes three different versions of the picture in crystal clear quality, and a wealth of informative extras.
The story follows awkward teenage outcasts Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) who are repeatedly bullied and tormented by fellow high school students Ian (Robert Downey Jr.) and Max (Robert Rusler). As if that wasn’t enough, the students also have to deal with Chet (Bill Pullman), Wyatt’s nasty brother who attends military school. Desperate for any kind of female attention, they decide to design a female on their computer and ending up creating, Lisa (Kelly LeBrock). However, their dream-woman turned real person ends up taking more of a guardian role to the pair, using some extreme methods to help build their confidence and popularity.
Having the heroes design and create a woman out of thin air to fulfill their every desire is a bizarre concept that would never past muster today. However, it was a different time and to be frank, this kind of material wasn’t that out of line with other movies being produced during the era. Still, there is definitely some politically incorrect material here that viewers will have to forgive as simply being of-another-time-and-place. The movie also contradicts itself in sections, as on several occasions the kids don’t get out of trouble due to their own know-how, but because of the remarkable powers and actions of Lisa.
What helps tremendously is the work of the talented cast and some of the surreal situations on display. There’s a relatable interplay between the two protagonists as they try to navigate the ridiculous situation they find themselves in. This includes plenty of funny banter about what to do and say over the course of many awkward encounters. And when Lisa arrives and puts them in more uncomfortable spots, the movie delivers a few of big laughs. There’s a very entertaining scene involving Lisa introducing herself to Gary’s parents, and a confrontation between them that involves her revealing highly embarrassing personal details from the teen’s life.
Of course, the nasty Chet is also a great foil thanks to the work of the late, great Bill Paxton. He’s hysterical as Wyatt’s nasty and oafish brother. His mannerisms, insults, constant employment of extortion techniques and reactions are funny throughout. Best of all is the character’s final comeuppance. It results in a very memorable scene in which the figure is transformed into a monster and must apologize to his sibling for all of his awful behavior over the years. The movie is by no means a masterpiece, but it’s great to see the actors doing everything they can to eke laughs out of some very eccentric material.
Curious parties will be thrilled to learn that the Arrow Blu-ray for the feature looks absolutely stunning. There has been a new restoration of the film from a 4K scan of the original negative. As a result, the image is incredibly sharp and crisp, making the bright, neon, 80s colors pop like never before. There will certainly be no complaints as to the picture quality on this remarkable-looking disc.
Even better is the inclusion of two versions of the movie via seamless branching. Of course, the original 94 minute theatrical version is present, along with an extended 97 minute cut that has two additional scenes. The first bit, featuring a new opening that introduces the characters, is quite entertaining and probably shouldn’t have been cut from the film in the first place.
It features Gary and Wyatt watching old Universal monster movies and talking about horror pictures and mad scientists. The conversation is fun and zippy, and their discussion effectively sets the tone and helps to more naturally introduce the idea of creating a woman on their computer. Frankly, it’s wonderful to see this scene reintroduced into the feature. The second addition isn’t as essential, introducing friends of Gary and Wyatt (who are actually visible in the mall sequence). They decide to attend a big party at the climax and arrive riding in unison on scooters. This bit isn’t especially funny, and as a viewer it’s better for underdog tale to have its two leads as complete outcasts who have no other pals. Still, all of the extra bits are interesting to see.
And that’s not all you’ll get. This release also includes a third cut created for TV broadcasts which features alternate takes and some creative dubbing over the movie’s foul language. If you’re curious to know where all of the alterations are, there’s an extra that compares and points out the differences between the material in the TV cut and the theatrical version. And for those wanting to see all the TV version scenes on their own without watching the entire flick, there’s also a feature in which you can do just that.
The disc also includes an archival program in which celebrity fans as well as cast and crew discuss the movie and its place in the Hughes catalog. Some of the participants seem equally baffled by Weird Science and call it an odd duck in its creator’s filmography, but maintain a certain affection for the movie and explain why along with little details that make the movie interesting to them. Most note that the concept was ahead of its time in some respects in dealing with computers and sex, and state other elements that they enjoy about the movie.
There are new interviews with make-up effects man Craig Reardon, who goes into detail on creating the Chet monster. There’s also a talk with editor Chris Lebenzon on cutting the movie and his working relationship with the director. Additionally, Ira Newborn explains the scoring process and his attempts to incorporate computer sounds into the compositions. Also included is an interview with supporting actor John Kapelos, who describes how an improvisation using a Greek slang term found its way into the final cut. And the disc includes an interview with the casting director who talks about how she managed to assemble the remarkable cast and recruit newcomers like Robert Downey Jr..
Additionally, there is a ton of promotional material including trailers, stills and posters from around the world. And although it isn’t listed on most press releases, this reviewer located Hughes’ original screenplay for the film on the Blu-ray and read it. While most sections are very similar to the finished product, there are a couple of even weirder written scenes that were cut or left unfilmed (including an intimate interaction between Lisa, Ian and Max that also add closure to the teen villain’s storyline). This omission was probably to the benefit of the final product, but they make the script an interesting read.
Hughes quickly moved forward from this production to another pair of comedy classics in the form of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Weird Science definitely may not be the best of his titles, but there are some funny moments and plenty of surreal scenarios to enjoy. Of course, those who grew up in the 80s will certainly have a soft spot for the material. Arrow Video have put together and incredible Blu-ray package with stellar image quality and some amazing bonuses that are sure to please fans of the flick. This release is about as good as it gets and comes highly recommended from this reviewer.