Wayne’s World: Limited Edition Blu-Ray Review
Just in time for its’ 30th anniversary, Paramount is releasing a Limited Edition Blu-ray steelbook of the Penelope Spheeris directed Wayne’s World, starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Released on Valentine’s Day 1992, Wayne’s World would go on to be a huge box office success and many (myself included) consider it to be one of the best feature films adapted from a Saturday Night Live skit.
Wayne Campbell (Myers) and his best friend Garth Algar (Carvey) are hosts of their own public access television show, called Wayne’s World. They broadcast from the basement of Wayne’s parent’s house, with their friends handing everything behind the camera. The show catches the attention of television producer Benjamin Kane (Rob Lowe), who plans to purchase their show for cheap and exploit them for profit.
Since Wayne is quite naïve, he signs a contract without a lawyer looking over it after Benjamin flashes a couple of $5K checks in front of him and Garth. What the two young men don’t realize is that they have given up almost all creative control and now they are required to do things they are not on board with. This includes giving their show’s new sponsor, Noah Vanderhoff of Noah’s Arcades a weekly interview. There are other major changes too, including adding an announcer to the show and having a professional singer do the intro.
To make matters worse, Benjamin has his sights set on Wayne’s new rocker girlfriend Cassandra Wong (Tia Carrere). He also winds up driving a short-lived wedge between Wayne and Garth. As we all know, the fellas wind up overcoming all their obstacles by the film’s end and we get left with a happy ending, even though we have a couple of not-so-happy endings prior to that.
While it’s nice to get a new release for the 30th anniversary that includes a great looking steelbook case, unfortunately the disk itself is the exact same transfer that was released back in 2009. While I love the packaging, if you already own the older blu-ray, I can’t think of a reason to pick this one up. However, if you don’t already own the film and you are a fan, it’s worth adding to your collection as the Blu-ray is still a solid looking transfer. Wayne’s World is still incredibly funny and quotable. I wish we got a third film, but for now, we should be happy with the original and even the sequel which will also been re-released as part of a double feature Blu-ray.
By: Marc Ferman