Dubbed as the frat boy comedy that started it all, Revenge of the Nerds is a 80�s cult classic making its way to DVD as a special Panty Raid Edition – Basically you get a standard slipcover and a handful of features thrown at you. I remember seeing this movie about ten years back I found it amusing then, so I look forward to being able to watch it again, maybe this time I�ll get more of the jokes.
The movie takes place where two nerds played by Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards are off to attend the fictional Adams College. They have both enrolled in the acclaimed computer studies department. The two dress like typical nerds with tucked in shirts, thick black-rimmed glasses, buckteeth, and pens in their shirt pockets. This is of course noticed by some of the frat members the minute they step foot into the quad and they are already labeled as nerds. The Alpha Beta frat house are the apparent bullies of the school who also happen to all be star players on the football team coached by the arrogant John Goodman. While partying the group accidentally burns down their frat house and take over the freshman dorm, forcing them all to sleep in the gymnasium. Of course while some of the freshman are recruited for frats and sororities a group of them are left out, the nerds. Sick of living in the gym they set out to find a house, which they turn, into a frat house, Lambda Lambda Lambda. Gaining some respect around the school the jocks of Alpha Beta set out to make their lives hell, while the nerds get a little revenge for themselves.
The movie had very little funny parts, and even at times gets a little annoying. I think the ending is predictable and over the top as well, overall making for a pretty weak movie. I�m pretty sick of these underdog tales with predictable endings, not to say it was a complete waste of time because there was a humorous part or two, but really this movie is just another example of a typical 80�s movie that can�t hold up nowadays.
Video
This discs 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is lackluster to say the least. Many scenes are marred with incredible softness and grain. The colors were also disappointing, looking dark and much too washed out to really impress. I realize the movie is over twenty years old but fans will no doubt be somewhat disappointed to see such a weak transfer.
Audio
The audio tracks included are a Mono and 2.0 Stereo Dolby Digital, both leave much to be desired. Dialogue sounds somewhat muffled a good portion of the time, surely this has to do with the weak source material. The films music sounds a lot better and comes out surprisingly clear, still this isn�t enough to save the audio track from being disappointing.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary � Commentary by director Jeff Kanew and actors Robert Carradine, Timothy Busfield, and Curtis Armstrong. Provides some insight into the movie, very informative.
- I�m a Nerd, and I�m Pretty Proud of It Featurette– A talk with the cast members that includes what they�ve done since the movie, or what they haven�t done since the movie for the most part.
- Television Pilot � A television pilot that has a very weak storyline, something you would think would be a good feature really turns out to be a waste of time.
- Deleted Scenes � Some additional scenes, which go with the flow of the movie, so I really found them to be uninteresting just like their counterparts that made it past the cutting room floor.
- Theatrical Trailer
Final Thoughts
Impressive amount of features, weak video, audio and an even weaker movie. I really wouldn�t suggest anyone to check this movie out unless of course you are already a diehard fan, then this disc is worth picking up but be prepared to be disappointed with the audio/video transfers.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- I�m a Nerd, and I�m Pretty Proud of It Featurette
- Television Pilot
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer
