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Fast Times at Ridgemont High
 To
Purchase this DVD, Click Here.
When Universal Pictures released
the collector's edition DVD of Animal House in '98, the
feeling was unanimous; please, Universal, make a similar collector's
edition of Fast Times at Ridgemont High! Finally, just
in time for the holidays of '99, fans get their wish. Hey bud,
let's party!
The Film : Maybe it's just me; I think this
film's first few seconds were a crowning achievement in teen
films. Much like Animal House, the mood is set
even before the Universal Pictures logo fades away, thanks to
the Go-Go's classic song, "We Got the Beat!." As the
song plays, shot by shot you see perfect symbols of teen life
circa 1982: the game arcades, the fast food hangouts, the Jordache
jeans, and a mega-mall swarming with teens. A sure sign of a
film that knows its subject matter.
How'd Fast Times get such a good grasp of teen
reality? Like any good movie, this film was based on an actual
book...whose author was just in high school! Well...sort
of. Cameron Crowe went back to high school, undercover, in the
fall of 1979, with youthful looks that allowed him to mingle
with real teens as just-another-student. The result led to a
best-seller book...and this film. The title itself alludes to
the "fast times" teens face, feeling as if they must
grow from child to adult overnight. As the DVD's notes attest,
"it's not a teen exploitation picture. It's the way they
live."
The talented cast list is equally amazing. This was Amy Heckerling's
directorial debut, long before Clueless. Story
writer Cameron Crowe, FYI, later wrote Jerry Maguire.
Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Penn,
Eric Stoltz, Forest Whitaker, and Anthony Edwards are just a
small taste of an incredible cast. Even cameos are amusing; watch
closely for Nicolas Cage, in his film debut! Likewise for 80's
horror flick faves, Kelli Maroney and Amanda Wyss. Then there's
Mr. Hand, played by "My Favorite Martian" Ray Walston.
Talk about a high school anyone would want to enroll in!
Bottom line, this is a classic teen comedy. Although the film
tackles such gritty subjects as teen pregnancy, abortion, drugs,
and all-out teen angst, it still keeps a comedic flair and winds
up laughing with --not at-- the typical teenager; a major accomplishment.
A solid thumbs-up!
The DVD : Many Fast Times fans
(myself included) wished Universal would do the same thing they
did for Animal House; a where-are-they-now featurette.
They did! This 39 minute special shows nearly all the stars as
they look today, each with their own anecdotes. "Nearly
all," you ask? Jennifer Jason Leigh and Phoebe Cates are
visibly absent. Understandable, I guess, though also troubling.
While their nude scenes were controversial in their day --and
they must have received over 15 years of flak for them-- their
roles had much more impact and empathy than just that.
I hope they realize this.
In addition, Amy Heckerling and Cameron Crowe supply a commentary
audio track. Anecdotes told as the movie plays include brat packers
that didn't make the grade; Ally Sheedy and Meg Tilly, to name
two. Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio read for a part, though
they couldn't afford him (?!?). "Method actress" Jennifer
Jason Leigh really did work in the pizza parlor,
as a waitress, before the film began! These are just the anecdotes
told in the first three minutes; there are dozens more. Learn
the source for Spicoli's classic quote, "People on 'ludes
should not drive!" So gripping are Amy's and Cameron's anecdotes,
that the audio crew didn't cut them off; they keep talking for
nearly ten minutes after the film's over! What's worth talking
about for ten additional minutes? That's for you to find out...
Other bonus material snippets show what an impact locations,
music, and other teen elements had in the final film. Click on
any song's title and see its place in the movie, and the affect
it had in setting the mood. Likewise for locations; two separate malls were used, for interior and exterior shots. The typical
text-only cast bios and production notes are also on hand. Lastly,
yes, even the original trailer is present.
In conclusion, any fan of teen angst comedy flicks will want
to pick this up on DVD. A teen classic! Although "teen"
and "classic" is an oxymoron to some (hence the sole
reason for a lower grade; compared to Oscar-caliber fare), this
is the teen comedy-drama to prove them wrong...
To
Purchase this DVD, Click Here.
 For a Collector's Edition on VHS, Click Here...
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