Iconic teen comedies of the 80s include Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, Adventures in Babysitting, Fast times at Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. These films seem to be on everyone's list, but what about 1985's Better off Dead? Paramount Home Entertainment hasn't forgot about it. Now for the 40th anniversary of the film's theatrical release comes a new 4k/Blu-ray/digital release.
Synopsis: After his girlfriend (Amanda Wyss, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET) ditches him for a boorish ski jock, Lane (John Cusack, HIGH FIDELITY) decides that suicide is the answer. However, his increasingly inept attempts bring him only more agony, not to mention embarrassment. Filled with the wildest teen nightmares, a family you can't help but identify with, and a host of extremely comic characters, BETTER OFF DEAD is an essential 80s classic, and a painfully funny teenage tale.
Better off Dead really captures the feeling of life as a teenager in the 80s. It was a different time. A time without internet and cell phones. When everyone hung out at the mall inside of in a chat room. Granted the absurdity is amped up for the hilarious moments. But all in all this is life in the 80s.
John Cusack is gold in this film, as well as the entire cast. Savage Steve Holland expertly brought this film to life. He is also known for another cult teen comedy that he would direct a year after this film, that film was One Crazy Summer!
Better off Dead has been transferred to 4K in 2160p and in Blu-ray in 1080p and presented in widescreen format. The audio options are an English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French mono Dolby Digital. Finally, there are English SDH and French subtitles for those who would like them.
The film looks literally spectacular in 4K! Now while no details are given on if this film has been restored or not, one thing is for sure it looks great! The picture is crisp and clean. There are no signs of damage to the print that I could see and the audio is clear with no hiss or pops. This is definitely and upgrade from any previous release you have.
Now for bonus features! There are the theatrical trailer and the addition of the digital code for a copy of this film you can take with you anywhere. That is a bit disappointing! I was hoping for this 40th anniversary edition 4K that we would have seen a retrospective, making of featurettes, audio commentary, interviews. These would have made this release so much better.
All in all, though Better off Dead is still a wonderful snapshot into an era in time we will never see again. Technology has changed our lives forever. Sometimes not for the better. But with this film we can travel back to the mid-80s and visit for a while.
If you would like to add Better off Dead in 4K to your home video library, head over to Amazon and order your copy today! I believe you will have a blast in the past!
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) the 4k/Blu-ray/Digital release of better off Dead receives.....
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