Two! Two! Two stoner comedies in one! Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) directed by Amy Heckerling and based on Cameron Crowe's book of the same name, is essentially an updated version of American Graffiti, in which plot is subordinate to character. At the center are Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) and Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), two '80s shy kids who really want to have a traditional relationship, but turn to supposedly sexually knowledgeable mentors--Ratner to Mike Damone (Robert Romanus), a smooth-talking concert ticket scalper; Stacy to Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates), who has an older fiancé in Chicago--who end up doing more harm than good. Around this quartet are assembled a handful of minor characters, including Sean Penn in his breakout role as surfer dude Jeff Spicoli, who--according to one classmate--“has been stoned since third grade” (the film also marked the big screen debuts of Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, and Anthony Edwards). This "totally awesome" edition is virtually identical to the 2000 DVD release (with the addition of a new Dolby Digital 5.1 track), featuring the same commentary track by Heckerling and Crowe, a 40-minute retrospective documentary "Reliving Our Fast Times at Ridgemont High," along with "Hangouts of Ridgemont High" and "Music Highlights" sections--both of which jump to scenes in the film. Even more plot-less, Richard Linklater's 1993 Dazed and Confused (a far more honest school flick than his candy-coated Hollywood fluff piece School of Rock) dips in and out of the lives of several high schoolers (including Jason London, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, and Milla Jovovich) on the last day of classes in the year 1976 (bongs and bellbottoms galore). DVD extras on this "flashback edition" re-release are disappointing to say the least: 15 minutes worth of deleted scenes, a pointless four-minute PSA compilation "The Blunt Truth" on the evils of marijuana, two other brief PSAs, and a Vans ad (reportedly Linklater wanted to include a commentary, etc., but Universal rushed this release). The bottom line here is that if you already own both of these titles on DVD, there is little reason to upgrade to this Ultimate Party Collection; if you don't however, this set (available in either widescreen or full screen editions) is bargain-priced and well worth picking up. Recommended. (R. Pitman)
[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 2, 2011—Universal, 90 min., R, $26.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High sports a decent transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras include previously released extras from the standard DVD release, including an audio commentary by director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe, the retrospective “Reliving Our Fast Times at Ridgemont High” featurette (39 min.), and trailers. New to the Blu-ray release is a “Scene Companion” picture-in-picture feature with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and bios playable during the film; a music option that identifies tracks during the film; and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a beloved ‘80s high school classic makes a welcome Blu-ray debut.]
[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 2, 2011—Universal, 103 min., R, $26.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1993's Dazed and Confused boasts a good transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including deleted scenes (15 min.), “The Blunt Truth” spoof on the evils of marijuana (5 min.), two other brief retro PSAs, and trailers. New to the Blu-ray release is a music option that identifies tracks during the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a contemporary teen classic, although you might want to wait for the more comprehensive Criterion Blu-ray edition, coming out October 25.]
[Blu-ray/DVD Review—May 13, 2021—Criterion, 89 min., R, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 1982’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” features a newly restored digital 4K transfer. Extras include a 1999 audio commentary featuring director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe, a TV version of the film from the ‘80s (featuring deleted and alternate scenes), a new conversation with Heckerling and Crowe (moderated by filmmaker Olivia Wilde), the 1999 documentary “Reliving Our ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’” (featuring interviews with cast and crew), a 1982 audio discussion with Heckerling at the American Film Institute, and a booklet with a new introduction by Crowe and an essay by film critic Dana Stevens. Bottom line: Heckerling’s classic teen comedy shines in this Criterion edition.]