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Traveta reviews
Paramount
- Cert: PG-13
- Cat.no: 33592
- Running time: 82 minutes
- Year: 2002
- Pressing: 2002
- Region(s): 1, NTSC
- Chapters: 17
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0
- Languages: English, French
- Subtitles: English
- Widescreen: 1.85:1
- 16:9-Enhanced: Yes
- Macrovision: Yes
- Disc Format: DVD 9
- Price: $29.95
- Extras: Animated Menus, scene selection. theatricaltrailer, 15 interstitials, commentary by Director JakeKasdan and Writer Mike White, 4 deleted scenes.
Director:
- Jake Kasdan
Cast:
- Shaun Brumder: Colin Hanks
Arlo: Kyle Howard
Chad: R.J. Knoll
Lonny: Bret Harrison
Ashley: Schuyler Fisk
Mr Burke: Mike White
Lance: Jack Black
Charlotte Cobb: Lily Tomlin
Bob Beugler: George Murdock
Cindy Beugler: Catherine O’Hara
Principal Harbert: Chevy Chase
Bud Beugler: John Lithgow
Don Durkett: Harold Ramis
Marcus Skinner: Kevin Kline
Firefighter: Ben Stiller
Orange County was the movie that suprisedeveryone earlier this year when it became a hit at the boxoffice. Most critics hailed it as one of th best teenmovies in years. I’m not going to argue with thembecause it is one of the better ones. But you have tolook at the genre and see that there is not muchthere. The teen movie genre has become weaker over theyears with gross out comedy like Scary Movie and allthe worthless fodder out there. Whatever happened tothe stupidly funny movies like UHF, Airplane, or NakedGun? While not exactly teen movies they’re still inthe same vein. Anyway, like I said, Orange County isone of the better ones. It’s smart and tries to getyou to really care for the characters instead ofwondering which kegger they’re going to get ripped atnext.
The film tells the story of Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks)as he tries to become a writer and get outof Orange County to go to Stanford. Since this is acomedy things don’t work out that way. Shaun’sgirlfriend (Schuyler Fisk) does not want himto leave as does his mother (Catherine O’Hara).So when the transcipts reject him becausethey’re not his, his stoner brother (Jack Black)gets an idea. They decide to go the Stanfordand demand to be let in. Then, of course, more comicmishap ensues.
The video on this disc is just okay. Paramount wasnever that great when it came to transfers anyway sothis isn’t much of a suprise. It’s bright and colorfulbut I noticed some scratches on the print here andthere and some grain. There was also some compressionartifacts in the darker scenes. But these complaintsare not very distracting unless you stand 5cm away fromthe screen with a magnifying glass.
The sound, on the other hand, is pretty good. I’vealways liked how Paramount includes regular surroundsound since not many people have a 5.1 or higher soundsystem. You don’t really need to expect much in termsof sound in a comedy but everything is audible.
The extras are standard fare for Paramount. Why dothey list menus and scene selection on the back asextra features. It is not just Paramount either. Theseare expected on DVDs, they are requirements notextras. Anyway, four deleted scenes are included with15 interstitials and a trailer. Not much but you’llonly watch them once anyway.
Overall, Orange County IS one of the better teenmovies in years. Don’t go in expecting a witty andsharp comedy likeNational Lampoon’s Animal Houseor similar.
PICTURE QUALITY
SOUND QUALITY
EXTRAS
OVERALLEmailTraveta
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.