While to some this nostalgic flick of SNL‘s (Saturday Night Lives) better days has been lost in the archives of time, I have been hoping that it would someday see the shelf of my Blu-ray collection. Let’s face it, love it or hate it Wayne’s World is a classic and its intently sarcastic tone has delivered some classic lines and moments. While Wayne’s World wasn’t the first SNL sketch to make its way to the big screen it was the first to receive mostly positive reviews and actually gross a very respectable amount of money. Spawning a sequel and even video games, and propelling Bohemian Rhapsody back into the Billboard charts, it’s hard to deny the status of Wayne’s World as a classic in the comedy archives.
Film
I’m sure I don’t need to explain the plot of Wayne’s World, I will for those of you who haven’t yet seen it, perhaps the younger readers. While the story of Wayne’s World is progressive and relevant, the real humor of the film lies within the random references and one-liners. The film is based on a sketch which appeared on SNL, which centered around Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) as they hosted a local cable access program. On the program they would interview local people and always mock them discreetly, discuss music and play music. Perhaps some of the greatest moments of the sketch came with the ogling of supermodel photos. The film takes us outside of the show (while still showing moments of the program) and more into the lives of Wayne and Garth. The two get an offer to actually get paid to make Wayne’s World and get a national deal. Initially they accept but the show becomes too commercialized and the two realize that they have become sell-outs. They must make it past their personal differences and Wayne’s budding relationship with musician Cassandra Wong and get their show back.
Well I may have been a tad bit anti climatic in my opinion of this film; I find it hard to believe that anyone out there could hate this movie. I’m not saying everyone has to love this movie, because there are far funnier films out there, but you can’t deny that at the time it was something unique. With a long list of memorable cameos including Ed O’Neil, Alice Cooper, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf and Brian Doyle-Murray, the gags are constant and enjoyable.
What really make the film enjoyable are its numerous pop culture references, the talking into the camera, and the relation we can feel to the characters. Some of the most memorable moments in Wayne’s World include Robert Patrick’s spoof of himself as the T-1000 pulling Wayne over or the inclusion of Chris Farley in his first film role.
Responsible for classic catchphrases like “Party On!” and “Schwing!” Wayne’s World may get some brownie points for its nostalgic value, but I truly feel it holds up and is as entertaining now as it was when I first saw it nearly 20 years ago.
Video
Presented in 1080p 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-4 Wayne’s World arrives on Blu-ray with a noticeable upgrade over its DVD release.
Classic backdrops like Stan Mikita’s Donuts and Wayne’s parent’s basement all look extremely cleaned up and sharp. Background objects in these scenes such as posters or people also show an incredible amount of detail.
The color presentation is a bit more inconsistent. Many shots display realistic skins tones and color hues; however there are a few (mainly low lit) scenes scattered throughout the movie where the color can look extremely dull. The scene where Cassandra and Wayne talk on the clubs roof for the first time looks very dull both in color and detail.
The print is somewhat dated and we are unfortunately shown some dirt speckling in many frames. Although not as serious as say American Psycho it still is a disappointment to see. Grain is also present throughout the film, but its appearance is never a distraction.
Having seen this movie 100 times on VHS and DVD I can assure you that this is the best the film has ever looked. It may not be a perfect transfer, but it does a great job showcasing the movie.
Audio
Paramount has included a 5.1 TrueHD track with Wayne’s World and although it may not be a showcase title, we are given a great sounding track. The classic Bohemian Rhapsody scene sounds better than ever with both clear surround and a subtle bass support. There are many other scenes which take place in bars and during concerts that fully utilize a 5.1 setup.
Dialogue comes through the front channels a bit flat at times, but thankfully it isn’t too often where we are just given a long dialogue session without anything happening in the background. For an early 90s comedy the given track does a great job presenting the material. For fans that have seen the movie and know what to expect, you will not be disappointed.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary – Commentary with Director Penelope Spheeris
- Extreme Close Up – A 23 minute discussion with the cast and crew. This retrospect is extremely entertaining and offers an interesting amount of insight into the filming process. I always enjoy hearing Mike Myers and Dana Carvey reminisce about these two characters.
- Trailer
Final Thoughts
Wayne’s World makes its Blu-ray debut with rather impressive results. The movie itself is classic, and if for some reason you have yet to see it, I recommend checking it out as soon as possible. The laughs are constant, and the style is almost always sarcastic. For fans of the film you will be extremely pleased with the video transfer, all things considered it’s extremely decent. Though there are no explosions or gun shots to let your sound system flex its muscle there is plenty of tunes that make use of all channels. The biggest downfall of this disc is the lack of special features, but the Extreme Close Up featurette is definitely worth checking out. In conclusion, this is a must own for fans, and a must see for those of you who haven’t.
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