Can't Hardly Wait 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has delivered a highly engaging and technically accomplished 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Can't Hardly Wait". This 2160p HEVC encode brings to life the quirks and charm of the film with a newfound clarity and vibrancy. Utilizing a pristine scan directly from the original 35mm camera negative, the new 4K transfer with Dolby Vision and HDR10 captures the intended theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 remarkably well. The presentation boasts refined edges, meticulously detailed textures, and lifelike skintones, shedding the artificial enhancements that plagued earlier releases. Indoor scenes, though slightly muddied in tone, benefit from a subtle depth that enhances foreground elements.

The release excels in its color handling and contrast levels. Colors are more natural and less saturated compared to prior editions, providing a stable and pleasing look across varying scenes. The darkness of nighttime skies and party scenes are managed with inky black levels, adding a layer of authenticity to the overall visual experience. Detailed close-ups reveal makeup applications, individual hairs, facial pores, and the textures of clothing with evident precision, thanks to the high-resolution scan.

The film’s high dynamic range features significantly improve the viewing experience. Dolby Vision and HDR10 contribute to deeper blacks and excellent contrast, albeit not reaching pure black but maintaining a very dark grey that works within the film’s visual signature. There are no visible issues with banding, aliasing, or unwanted noise, testifying to a clean and polished master. This meticulously crafted 4K UHD presentation breathes new life into "Can't Hardly Wait", offering fans an unparalleled visual treat that seemingly reinvents this beloved film.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack for the 4K UHD Blu Ray of "Can't Hardly Wait" offers a substantial improvement over the original multi-channel track. The Atmos mix adeptly enhances the soundstage, utilizing object-based audio to deliver a nuanced and immersive listening experience. The incorporation of overhead sound objects fine-tunes proportional correlation, opening up the soundstage and elevating the perception of low-level detail while offering broader dynamic range. This dynamic range is particularly noticeable in the robust low-frequency effects, providing depth and punch to the soundtrack without overwhelming dialogue clarity.

One standout aspect of the Dolby Atmos mix is how it elevates the film's '90s soundtrack. Whether it’s background music at a party, songs blaring from car radios, or stereo systems, the Atmos-enabled spatial realism immerses listeners in the scene. Sound effects like glass breaking, pool splashes, and alcohol being opened are rendered with impressive fidelity and spatial accuracy. The spatial utilization extends to height speakers, capturing sounds from all levels of the party environment, such as students partying upstairs. The surround channel mixing is smooth and provides the film with believable acoustics and spatial realism.

Even though "Can't Hardly Wait" doesn't inherently demand a busy surround track, the Dolby Atmos mix makes a substantial difference. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-prioritized across environments, even amidst chaotic party scenes. The new mix also ensures an enveloping audio experience, where transitions between speakers are seamless. Directors' approval of this new mix further emphasizes its intention to enhance audience immersion without detracting from the original feel. For those whose playback systems are limited to the core Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track, this version still delivers noteworthy improvements in acoustics and presentation.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Can't Hardly Wait" maintains the entirety of the previous Blu-ray's supplemental material, complemented by the addition of new alternate and deleted scenes. Notable inclusions are two audio commentaries—one original and another from the cast and filmmakers a decade later—providing rich insights and recollections of the film’s creation and legacy. The suite of features covers multiple aspects of the film’s production, including a reunion of the Huntington Hills High Class of '98 and an extensive making-of featurette, making it a treasure trove for fans. All the deleted scenes are presented in upscaled 1080p, sourced from VHS workprints, preserving their original quality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Commentary with Filmmakers and Cast: Co-writers/directors Kaplan and Elfont with Seth Green offer details on the film’s production.
• Commentary with Filmmakers and Cast - 10 Years Later: Additional cast members join for retrospectives.
• Huntington Hills High Class of '98 Reunion: Cast and crew reminisce about the film’s creation.
• Can't Hardly Wait: The Making of a Teen Classic: Insightful behind-the-scenes documentary.
• The Life of the Party: Cast shares personal high school stories.
• 6 Archival Deleted Scenes: Original deleted scenes.
• 11 New Alternate & Deleted Scenes: New scenes from a VHS workprint.
• I Can't Get Enough of You Baby Music Video by Smash Mouth: Featured music video.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

"Can't Hardly Wait," starring Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and an ensemble cast, is a quintessential '90s teen comedy that centers on the chaos and misadventures of a high school graduation party. The film follows Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry) as he aims to profess his long-held love for Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), who has just broken up with her arrogant jock boyfriend, Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli). As partygoers navigate various cliques and social hierarchies, nerdy William Lichter (Charlie Korsmo) seeks revenge on Mike, while wannabe "gangsta" Kenny Fisher (Seth Green) looks to lose his virginity. Alongside these storylines is Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose), enduring a roller coaster of events that transform the evening into a memorable rite of passage.

While "Can't Hardly Wait" often teeters on outdated clichés and overused tropes, its earnest attempts at humor and relatability make it endearing. The narrative, set over the course of one night, combines multiple character arcs and subplots that aim to encapsulate the hilarity and heartbreak of teenage life. Despite being heavily anchored in '90s culture—complete with dated dialogue and tropes—the film evokes nostalgia for those who grew up during that era. Simultaneously, it offers a whip-smart critique on teenage anxieties and aspirations, albeit in a light-hearted manner. The detailed depiction of '90s sartorial choices, music, and social interactions provides a vivid snapshot of the times, infusing the movie with both charm and authenticity.

Despite lacking the depth and critical acclaim of its forebears like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" or "American Graffiti," "Can't Hardly Wait" stands as a testament to teen comedies of its era. It succeeds in creating a relatable microcosm of high school life, peppered with memorable performances by a cast that eventually achieved varying levels of Hollywood success. Ultimately, the film strikes a balance between homage and parody, offering a nostalgic experience for fans of teen films while maintaining an appeal to new generations discovering '90s culture for the first time.

"Can't Hardly Wait" may not have aged flawlessly over the past twenty-five years, but for those who experienced it during their formative years, it still delivers nostalgic laughs and memorable moments. The film features a talented cast, many of whom went on to become A-list stars, and holds a certain sweetness and charm without overly focusing on typical high school movie tropes like sex. While opinions on its overall quality vary—some considering it a mid-tier teen comedy compared to John Hughes' classics or "American Pie"—the new 4K UHD release stands out technically.

The 4K image, enhanced with Dolby Vision, provides a significant visual upgrade from previous editions, ensuring crisp and vibrant picture quality. Coupled with the excellent Dolby Atmos audio track, the overall audiovisual experience is highly impressive. Sony has retained all the bonus material from earlier Blu-ray editions, maintaining a comprehensive package for fans. However, it's important to note this release does mirror the 2008 Blu-ray closely, with only slight differences in features.

For longtime fans and those keen to relive a slice of late-90s high school life, the 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Can't Hardly Wait" is a solid investment. Despite its mixed reception, the film's appeal lies in its humor and its cast's early performances. The technical enhancements in this release make it a worthwhile addition to any 4K-capable collection. Highly recommended for fans and new audiences alike.