DVD Corner

Varsity Blues 4K UHD Review

The cast saves “Varsity Blues.”  

1999’s “Varsity Blues” takes place in the fictional town of West Canaan, Texas where high school football reigns supreme. The story focuses on Jonathan Moxon- the back-up QB to the dreamboat star Lance Harbor. When Harbor gets injured during a game, Moxon gets a big opportunity to play. Moxon, however, isn’t all about football unlike most of the town (including his father). He’s more interested in college plans and figuring out his feelings for Jules and Darcy. With that said, Moxon still wants to make the most of his opportunity despite the hard ass, controlling coach (Bud Kilmer) trying to dictate everything about his team to a detrimental degree.  

Fueled by a memorable 90’s rock soundtrack featuring the likes of Green Day, Foo Fighters and The Offspring, the Brian Robbins directed “Varsity Blues” is an admirable film about college football and teen life. No, it’s certainly not on the level of “Friday Night Lights” (the film and the TV series), but the W. Peter Iliff penned script has positive messages about standing up to toxic behavior and living your own life.  

Where ‘Varsity’ fumbles (pun intended) is with its raunchy and juvenile elements involving sexism, homophobia, a teacher being a stripper, and fat shaming. These elements feel like they are from another movie entirely as it doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie from a tonal perspective. The film is at its best when it’s focusing more on the characters, the football action, and the story and less on the hijinks in which the laws don’t seem to apply to the high school football stars. 

The cast is where “Varsity Blues” really shines as it’s stacked with talent like James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Scott Caan, Amy Smart, Ali Larter, Paul Walker and Ron Lester. Voight is great as the egotistical scumbag coach Bud Kilmer. Ali Larter’s career took off after her performance as the sexy cheerleader Darcy who wants out of West Canaan. Ron Lester gives Billy Bob more depth than is on the page. James Van Der Beek does a solid job in the lead role. Amy smart, Paul Walker and Scott Caan’s characters could have used more depth, but they all turn in solid performances.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 2160p. How does it look? Viewers can expect a nice upgrade with sharper image quality. 

Audio Track: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD. How does it sound? The 5.1 track may not be the showiest track out there, but it gets the job done.

Extras:

* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* Archival extras on the Blu-ray- Commentary by Brian Robbins and producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter, theatrical trailer, “Football Is A Way Of Life: The Making Of Varsity Blues” featurette, “QB Game Analysis” (coach Mark Ellis and QB Josh McCown on the movie), “Billy Bob With No Bacon” (Ron Lester interview), and “Two-A-Days: The Ellis Way” (about filming the football sequences).

January 6, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movies, Ali Larter, Football Movie, Jon Voight, Scott Caan, Varsity Blues 4K UHD Review