WEIRD SCIENCE / CERT: 12 / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: JOHN HUGHES / STARRING: ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL, ILAN MITCHELL-SMITH, KELLY LeBROCK / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
When Gary and Wyatt are left alone for the weekend, they decide to put their nerd skills to the test by creating a virtual girlfriend to help with their love life. When Kelly LeBrock walks through the door demanding that they shower with her, the gobsmacked duo embark on what can only be described as the magical ride of their lives. We’re not talking candle wax on the nipples or witchcraft or anything like that, just a couple of kids running around in their underwear acting like complete animals.
Having broken new ground with a string of endearing teen-angst comedy dramas, writer / director John Hughes decided to go a little crazy with this formidable entry into his cinematic cannon. Although Weird Science has its fair share of angst in places, for the most part this celluloid wet dream is a gloriously cartoonish, infinitely quotable, hilariously fun-filled celebration of 80s youth.
While it’s a given that we’d all love up-to-date extras featuring LeBrock and the boys looking back on the film, it’s equally clear that this isn’t what we’re going to get from Arrow. Having said that, their achievement in creating this hi-def release (incorporating two rightly deleted moments that have been restored) is undeniable, and they’ve done a pretty good job assembling some behind the scenes people to discuss the film almost 35 years on, including the casting director, make-up creator, editor and score composer. Actually, if anything, the lack of A-list talent actually helps in this case as, had they been onboard, you’d have likely never heard the stories that this ensemble reveal. The pictures of Robert Downey Jr with a prosthetic pig’s head is almost worth the purchase price alone!
There is also an archive documentary, It’s Alive! Resurrecting Weird Science, which features Anthony Michael Hall, along with the TV edit, Theatrical and Extended version, Trailers and TV spots and photos. The cover too is pretty cool, providing the original art and a newly commissioned cover on either side. All of this, along with a gorgeous hi-def transfer means that there’s never been a better time to boot up the computer and modem (or Blu-ray player) and rediscover the joy of this 80s classic once more. Bras on head are optional.
Special features: New restoration by Arrow Films from a 4K scan of the original negative; High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of the original Theatrical Version of the film (94 mins), plus seamlessly-branched exclusive Extended Version (97 mins), featuring two additional scenes newly remastered in high-definition; Original lossless stereo audio, plus 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround option (theatrical version only); Original English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; Edited-for-TV version of the film (SD only, 94 mins), plus comparison featurette highlighting the alternate dubs and edits; Option to watch additional scenes from the Extended Version separately; Casting “Weird Science”, an all-new interview with casting director Jackie Burch; Dino The Greek, a newly-filmed interview with supporting actor John Kapelos; Chet Happens, a newly-filmed interview with special makeup creator Craig Reardon; Fantasy and Microchips, a newly filmed interview with editor Chris Lebenzon; Ira Newborn Makes The Score, a newly filmed interview with the composer; It’s Alive! Resurrecting Weird Science, an archive documentary featuring interviews with cast, crew and admirers, including star Anthony Michael Hall; Theatrical trailers, TV spots and radio spots; Image galleries; BD-ROM: PDF of the original shooting script; Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tracie Ching
