Girls Just Want to Have Fun Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" on Blu-ray showcases the hurdles faced in achieving an optimal transfer from source material that was shot quickly and on a limited budget. Encoded in 1080i with AVC MPEG-4, the image quality is moderate, with little evidence of fine detail and increased grain, particularly in the opening title sequence featuring optical superimpositions. While no major scratches or print damage are evident, the image only achieves moderate sharpness. Blacks appear crushed and darker scenes suffer from a lack of detail, likely due to the original lighting and exposure techniques.

Colors appear notably subdued, even in scenes where vibrant saturation might be expected, such as the dance sequences. The film’s production quality is reflected in the transfer; at times, it seems akin to a direct transfer from a lower-resolution format such as DVD or even VHS. The presentation suffers from a noticeable jutter at approximately 36:54 and overall has a fuzzy, dirty look, which does little to provide the crispness associated with modern Blu-ray standards.

This Blu-ray version does not exhibit obvious compression artifacts, likely due to the film’s brief runtime of 87 minutes and lack of extra features. However, significant black crushing persists throughout. This release offers a minor improvement over previous formats, but ultimately remains a testament to its original low-budget roots, lacking the sharpness, detail, and color vibrance that one might hope for in a high-definition transfer.

The Blu-ray release of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" presents an audio experience with several conflicting attributes. While the credits indicate a Dolby Stereo release, the actual soundtrack provided is PCM stereo. This format enables some degree of separation between left and right channels, though this is largely confined to musical selections. When processed through a matrix decoder, most elements collapse towards the center, effectively rendering the mix as mono. Despite this limitation, the mix is serviceable with clear dialogue and a decent dynamic range. The film's soundtrack, true to its Eighties vintage, has a certain nostalgic quality that aficionados might appreciate.

However, the overall listening experience is inconsistent and flawed. Despite claims of a Dolby Digital mono track on the back cover, the audio track’s actual implementation as Linear PCM 2-channel stereo fails to optimize the movie's sound elements adequately. The vocal track suffers from severe fluctuations in volume, causing listeners to constantly adjust settings to understand dialogues. Additionally, there are frequent instances of noticeable echo in the vocals, further diminishing the clarity. Paradoxically, the film's musical component stands out as its most reliable element; it is consistently clear and deceptively dynamic, often overshadowing the inconsistent dialogue.

While the musical score retains a level of coherence and fidelity that aligns with its original pre-CD recording quality, these strengths are overshadowed by fundamental issues with dialogue delivery and overall mix stability. The outcome is an uneven auditory presentation that lacks enhancement and depth, making it a suboptimal experience for dedicated audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" features an array of extras that provide added value and intriguing insights for fans of this iconic film. The trailer is presented in standard definition with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, effectively capturing the tone of the movie despite many of the best lines being included. The brevity of the trailer leaves viewers wanting more, much like the full film itself. Overall, the inclusion of these extras enriches the viewing experience by offering a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original promotion.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Captures the tone of the film, although many best lines are included.

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" is a quintessential '80s dance film that serves as a nostalgic showcase primarily for its lead performers, Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker, who later ascended to stardom. Shot on a modest budget by New World Pictures, the film borrows heavily from dance-oriented predecessors like "Saturday Night Fever" and "Footloose." The plot centers around Janey (Parker), an Army brat who, upon moving to Chicago, befriends the rebellious Lynne (Hunt). Together, they navigate a series of dance-driven obstacles to compete on their favorite TV show, Dance TV.

Technically, the film captures the vibrant, fast-paced essence of the era with its music video-like sequences and urban settings. However, it's more a collage of inspired moments than a cohesive narrative. The famed Cyndi Lauper hit that lends its title is not the original recording but a cover version, reflecting the film's budget constraints. Directed by Alan Metter, the movie includes notable supporting performances from Lee Montgomery and Shannen Doherty, yet it’s Hunt and Parker’s screen presence that dominates.

Despite its formulaic narrative and somewhat dated production values, the film’s energy and charm are undeniable. The dynamic duo of Janey and her reluctant partner Jeff (Montgomery) thwarts obstacles and embraces inevitable romance amidst stylized dance scenes. The film also features a stereotypical rich villainess whose antics add to the tension and humor. As a product of its time, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" might not win over all modern viewers, especially those indifferent to dance films, but it remains a colorful relic of '80s pop culture that’s easy to enjoy if you’re in the right nostalgic mindset.

The Blu-ray release of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" presents a mixed package that holds both nostalgic charm and technical disappointments. Die-hard fans of the film, originally released in 1985, may find themselves pleased by the faithful preservation of this quirky, low-budget teen dance movie. However, potential buyers should tread carefully. The transfer to Blu-ray lacks any significant enhancement with a noticeably weak 1080i encode, appearing as if it were haphazardly copied from a subpar DVD source. Moreover, the audio quality swings between tolerable and frustratingly inconsistent, detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Featuring early performances by Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shannen Doherty, this cult curiosity piece is far removed from the more polished work these actresses have come to be known for. While the actors are engaging in their juvenile roles, the script and execution leave much to be desired. For viewers without nostalgic attachment to the era or the film itself, the lack of enhancements and special features—save for the original trailer—renders this Blu-ray edition less compelling. It essentially offers a glorified version of what many may already own on DVD or VHS.

If you remember the film or the era, this Blu-ray is an acceptable rendering as long as you aren't expecting miracles from a low-budget source. If all you know are the names Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shannen Doherty on the cover, then beware: the film on this disc bears almost no resemblance to any of the work for which these three are famous. With those caveats, the Blu-ray is recommended as a faithful presentation of a rare curiosity from a bygone day.