4 Star

Teens, Desperation and Computer Science.

From the year that brought us such great films as Police Story, Fright Night, Enemy Mine, The Goonies, Commando. This 4K restoration of Weird Science is 1980s Geek heaven. Written and directed by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), with pedigree like that you know you are in for a great comedy, romantic sci-fi treat. Plus a soundtrack to take you back to the 1980s.

Gary Wallace (Anthony Michael Hall, The Dark Knight, Foxcatcher) and Wyatt Donnelly (Ilan Mitchell-Smith, The Chocolate War, Daniel) are two very unpopular teens of Shermer High School. But they have aspirations of having girlfriends, Deb (Suzanne Snyder, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Remo: Unarmed and Dangerous) and Hilly (Judie Aronson, American Warrior, Friday the 13th Part – IV: The Final Chapter).  Unfortunately they are going out with senior jocks Ian (Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes, Avengers: Endgame) and Max (Robert Rusler, A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge, Shag), who delight in humiliating the duo at every opportunity.

As the boys deliberate how to improve their social standing, Gary is inspired by the 1931 classic Frankenstein, and as Wyatt has a personal computer in his room, he comes up with the idea of making their own Frankenstein. With all their ideas put into the computer, they need more power and manage to hack into a government site, then they hook up a doll and let the weird science do its thing. Oh, the brassieres are an optional extra.

The result is the best science experiment ever, as Lisa (Kelly LeBrock, The Woman in Red, Wrongfully Accused) is created, with all the attributes of scientists, a well-rounded life outlook and lots and lots of magic.

If we’re going to have any fun together, you guys have better learn to loosen up

Her first gift to the boys is to take them to a bar in Chicago, where Lisa produces I.D s for the pair as they slowly unwind and fit in, and get very, very drunk. When they return home that is when Lisa meets Chet (Bill Paxton, Edge of Tomorrow, Nightcrawler), Wyatt’s nasty older brother, who is in charge of the house whilst their parents are away for the weekend. The boys tell Lisa to keep  off Chet’s radar. The next morning, they wonder if the events of the previous night really happened.

Maybe it was a dream, you know, a very weird, bizarre, vivid, erotic, wet, detailed dream. Maybe we have malaria.

Lisa has a mission, to get the boys the girls they really want, but these two are uptight and inept, so what can she do… Let’s have a party, what could possibly go wrong?

You forgot to hook up the doll.

Weird Science is a pure slice of the 1980s, cool cars, big hair and great music, Weird Science 4K is a must own for those of a certain age or any fan of that decade. Ninety-seven minutes of pure fun. Also, great to see Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, The Devil’s Rejects) and Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2, Innerspace) doing their scary things.

Weird Science Limited Edition is available on 4K

 

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• New restoration by Arrow Films from a 4K scan of the original negative

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the original Theatrical Version of the film (94 mins), plus seamlessly-branched exclusive Extended Version (97 mins), featuring two additional scenes

• Original lossless stereo audio, plus 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround option (theatrical version only)

• Optional 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

• Casting ‘Weird Science’, an interview with casting director Jackie Burch

• Dino The Greek, an interview with supporting actor John Kapelos

• Chet Happens, an interview with special makeup creator Craig Reardon

• Fantasy and Microchips, an interview with editor Chris Lebenzon

• Ira Newborn Makes The Score, an 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

• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring writing on the film by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Amanda Reyes

• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tracie Ching

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tracie Ching