Double dips isn’t anything new from studios and no doubt this 30th Anniversary Edition of The Breakfast Club is no different where what’s different from the release five years might not be enough to warrant a purchase if you already own that version. However, at a good price, the upgrade to a new video codec from the original 35MM film print might make it worthwhile.
The Breakfast Club
— 30th Anniversary Edition —
(1985)
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Universal | R – 97 min. – $19.98 | March 10, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: John Hughes Writer(s): John Hughes (written by) Cast: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally SheedyDISC INFO: Features: Commentary, Featurettes, Trivia Track, Theatrical Trailer Digital Copy: Yes Number of Discs: 1Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), French (DTS-HD 2.0 Mono), Italian (DTS-HD 2.0 Mono), Japanese (DTS-HD 2.0 Mono), Spanish (DTS-HD 2.0 Mono) Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.85 Subtitles: English SDH, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Icelandic, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish Disc Size: NA Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Region(s): A |
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THE MOVIE – 4.5/5
Plot Synopsis: When Saturday detention started, they were simply the Jock (EMILIO ESTEVEZ), the Princess (MOLLY RINGWALD), the Brain (ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL), the Criminal (JUDD NELSON) and the Basket Case (ALLY SHEEDY), but by that afternoon they had become closer than any of them could have imagined.
Quick Hit Review: There aren’t many movies that made such an impact not just on one generation but span a few from X to Z, but The Breakfast Club is relatable to so many people as, even with the advancement of technology, the labels still apply today just as they had back in 1985, 1995 (when I was in high school), 2005 and today 30 years later in 2015. Beyond its impact, though, it’s just a well made and finely written film that gave rise to the Brat Pack.
What’s notable beyond John Hughes’ great screenplay, perhaps his best, the acting is also incredible especially by Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez who have two of the best, and heart breaking, scenes in the film, though Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall both have a few good moments as well.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.75/5
This release comes with a matted, slightly title embossed, slip cover. Inside is the redemption code for the Digital Copy (iTunes and UltraViolet compatible).
Well, another five years and we get yet another anniversary release from Universal. All of the features from the 25th Anniversary Edition were ported over but in terms of new features, we only get Accepting the Facts: The Breakfast Club Trivia Track, but it’s really nothing special especially after so much time where we don’t learn that much new…
As far as the other features are concerned, there’s Sincerely Yours (51:25; SD) which is a well made 12-part documentary with new and archive interviews with the cast and crew; The Most Convenient Definitions: The Origins of the Brat Pack (5:30; SD) on the cast and the characters they played; a Feature Commentary with Actors Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson; and finally the Theatrical Trailer (1:25; SD).
VIDEO – 4.25/5
Outside of the trivia track, the other selling point Universal advertised is a digitally restored transfer from the original 35MM film elements. I’m not sure what the difference between this and the 25th Anniversary Edition, but looking at screenshots of the previous one, which had the old VC-1 codec, this edition appears far more natural and detail levels look quite clean, free of artifacts, aliasing and other flaws. Now, is it worth the cost of an upgrade if you already own the previous edition? Well… probably not, unless you can get it at a discount.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track offers good sound quality with crisp and clear dialogue levels while the fantastic soundtrack provides some decent depth. There were no discernible hisses making for a fine lossless track that’s a mild upgrade over the DVD version.
OVERALL – 4.0/5
Overall, double dips isn’t anything new from studios and no doubt this 30th Anniversary Edition of The Breakfast Club is no different where what’s different from the release five years might not be enough to warrant a purchase if you already own that version. However, at a good price, the upgrade to a new video codec from the original 35MM film print might make it worthwhile.
Published: 03/13/2015