Why So Blu?

One Crazy Summer (Blu-ray Review)

In August, Warner Archive is dipping into the 80s teen comedy genre with the classic One Crazy Summer that loaded up a cast of John Cusack, Demi Moore, Bobcat Goldthwait and Curtis Armstrong. This feels like it could been an easy bargain bin title for Warner Bros many moons ago, but alas, in 2021 it is making its first appearance on Blu-ray. There’s a commentary from the DVD edition (That was re-issued by Warner Archive back in 2016) featuring director Savage Steve Holland, Goldthwait and Armstrong that is carrying itself over to this new Blu-ray release. Aside from that, no other bonus materials are found or have been commissioned for this disc. It arrived on the format back on August 10th. You can land yourself a copy by clicking on the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.

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Film

After graduating from high school, art school hopeful Hoops McCann (John Cusack) struggles to complete his application to the Rhode Island School of Design. Resigning himself to a summer of boredom, McCann agrees to go along with his best friend, George Calamari (Joel Murray), on a family trip to Nantucket, Mass. But, after McCann and Calamari meet rocker-in-distress Cassandra (Demi Moore), it suddenly looks like it’s going to be “one crazy summer.”

Savage Steve Holland’s directorial debut wound up in one of my all time favorite comedies, Better Off Dead. For his follow up, he brings along John Cusack and Curtis Armstrong from that film and head for the days of summer. The result is a continuation of the whacky humor and funny little animated sequences from that film. One Crazy Summer also delivers on kooky characters and oddball little beach town for our characters to wander in. Oh yeah, and John Cusack gets into some kind of sporting competition with the local alpha. Sound kinda familiar?

It should, and I mean it as a compliment in the best ways, that One Crazy Summer takes you through much of everything you enjoyed about Better Off Dead. In fact, these two films make for a pretty terrific double feature. The best part of it all, though, is that they merely share a style and aesthetic. Jokes are not repeated. Just a look and a feel is produced. We even inject some new blood in that mix with Bobcat Goldthwait’s humor and Demi Moore’s sparky attitude to give this one its own flavor.

Returning to One Crazy Summer for this review, I realized I don’t watch this one enough. I was charmed pretty easily and I love the goofy little world Savage Steve Holland creates. Cusack is the perfect straight man for it all, and Demi Moore works quite well in the chemistry of the zany cast as well as the environment. All in all, its a lot of fun and one to reach out for when you think you’ve got Better Off Dead a little too fresh in the brain.

Video

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Layers: BD-50

Clarity/Detail: One Crazy Summer doesn’t come with any details on its restoration or transfer. However, you can assume its either an HD master or 2K transfer. The image feels like you’re in the sun and has a nice filmic look to it, carrying some solid depth and details to go along with good color and black levels.

Depth:  Depth of field is pretty solid here, though not wholly three dimensional, but never in danger of being flat. Movements are smooth and natural with no issues regarding motion distortions.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and do well in cultivating detail and adding some nice contrast. No crushing witnessed.

Color Reproduction: Colors are pretty bold and more vibrant on your primary reds, blues, greens and such when they appear on fabrics and the like. Solid saturation throughout.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are a little warm and consistent from start to finish of the film. Facial features and textures are easily discernible in close ups and most medium shots.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio

Audio Format(s): English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA

Subtitles: English SDH

Dynamics: One Crazy Summer features a solid original mono track. It gets the job done with a nice balanced mix between the vocals, music, score and sound effects. Its loud enough to produce a decent full engagement. This is one of those tracks that is up to task and then a little some extra.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: N/A

Surround Sound Presentation: N/A

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear and crisp.

Extras

Audio Commentary

• By Savage Steve Holland, Bobcat Goldthwait and Curtis Armstrong

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:32)

Summary

Savage Steve Holland and Cusack strike once again with terrific, cartoonish, oddball comedy in One Crazy Summer. Warner Archive Collection gives it a terrific new presentation, with the film never having looked better. While the bonus material options are limited, I highly recommend the commentary as its just as funny as the film itself. A definite pickup for 80s cult teen comedy lovers or for those of you who love Better Off Dead and haven’t seen this gem that followed it!

This is a paid Amazon Associates link