DVD Corner

Can’t Hardly Wait 4K UHD Review

“Can’t Hardly Wait” is one of the best 90’s teen movies. 

Set on the day of high school graduation, “Can’t Hardly Wait” is an ensemble teen comedy that focuses on a group of graduates attending a big party. Among the attendees getting the spotlight: Preston (who wants to talk to his dream girl Amanda), Denise (a sarcastic loner and a friend of Preston), Mike (a jackass jock who dumped Amanda and is focusing on college girls), William (a bright geeky student who seeks revenge against Mike but winds up becoming a party animal for a night), Kenny (a dorky white boy who acts black that is looking to have sex), and Amanda (a stunning cheerleader and Prom Queen who is adjusting to the break-up with Mike). As the party unfolds, the characters find that their lives just might change.

While not on the level of “Dazed And Confused” or “Clueless,” 1998’s “Can’t Hardly Wait” is still a seminal 90’s teen movie. Yes, the Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfront written and directed movie has certainly aged in the past 26 years with some cheeseball humor, derogatory lines, and age old cliches about cliques, but the comedy wins you over thanks to the massive ensemble featuring the likes of Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Seth Green, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Facinelli, Charlie Korsmo, Melissa Joan Hart, Sean Patrick Thomas, Donald Faison, Clea Duvall, Breckin Meyer, Jamie Pressly, Selma Blair, Amber Benson, Eric Balfour, Jenna Elfman, Jason Segel, and Jerry O’Connell. It’s rather amazing just how many of these cast members went on to have long careers. Some of them only appear for a scene or two! Stand-outs here include Ethan Embry (the lovestruck and sensitive nerdy guy looking to express his feelings to Amanda), Seth Green and Lauren Ambrose (whose romance becomes rather charming),Charlie Korsmo (the geeky guy with an unlikely character arc), and Jenna Elfman as a dancer in an angel costume. 

In terms of the story itself, it’s a pretty basic and breezy tale about a party, romance, memories, and teens having one last blast before the next chapter of their lives, but it’s certainly relatable which is what counts here. 

This review couldn’t be ended without touching on the pitch perfect soundtrack featuring Smash Mouth, Barry Manilow, Rob Zombie, Sneaker Pimps, Missy Elliott, Third Eye Blind, Guns ‘N Roses, Sublime, 311, Blink-182, Run-D.M.C., Busta Rhymes and tons more. For the most part, it’s like a best of the 90’s mix.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p With HDR. How does it look? Fans will be impressed by this 4K release which boasts richer colors.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? It’s satisfactory although perhaps not quite up to Atmos standards. The soundtrack is certainly lively though.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Theatrical trailer
* Music video for Smash Mouth’s “I Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby.”
* 6 deleted/alternate scenes AND 10 NEW deleted/alternate scenes.
* “Huntington Hills High Class Of ‘98 Reunion”- A 27 minute extra in which cast members and the casting director talk about casting, auditions, and characters.
* “Can’t Hardly Wait: The Making Of A Teen Classic” featurette.
* “The Life Of The Party” is about teen party films and their resonance.
* Commentary by Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, Seth Green, and producer Jenno Topping.
* Commentary (10 Years Later) with Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, Seth Green, Donald Faison, Peter Facinelli, and Joel Michaely.

August 27, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movie, Blink-182, Can't Hardly Wait 4K UHD Review, Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Joan Hart, Seth Green, Smash Mouth, Teen Comedy, Teen Movie