UHF (1989) (25th Anniversary Edition) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Jay Levey
Starring: Weird Al Yankovic, Victoria Jackson, Kevin McCarthy, Michael Richards
Rated: PG-13/Region A/1:85/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Where to get it: Shout! Factory
In the cult classic UHF, Weird Al Yankovic is George Newman, a daydreamer who becomes the manager of a small TV station that’s losing money as quickly as it’s losing viewers. Before long he’s programming shows like ’Stanley Spadowski’s Clubhouse, ’ ’Wheel Of Fish’ and ’Raul’s Wild Kingdom. ’ But can Channel 62’s new popularity save it from sinister forces? To find out… don’t touch that dial! Starring Weird Al Yankovic, Michael Richards (Seinfeld), Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles), Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live) and more!
UHF is a bit of a lost gem. Unappreciated and abandoned by the masses upon its release in the very blockbuster filled and crowed Summer of 1989, UHF really didn’t get noticed until long after Orion Pictures went belly up and it became a cult classic. The 2002 DVD release was a top 10 hit and I can only imagine this release will get as much fan fare and rightfully so. While you could call out a few spots and daydreams that Weird Al Yankovic’s character (George) has in the film, but the film is comedic yet a bit grounded. Sure, the film does get crazy in spots, but it pulls in just enough to never fully jump the shark and it manages to be pretty darn funny from start to finish IF you can appreciate and get the comedic goodness of Weird Al Yankovic. It isn’t for everyone, but it is a comedic style that ages well and it is because of that, UHF, remains funny even with being clearly a baby of the 80s. I know it is listed as 1989, but it sure does feel more like a middle of the 80s film to you while watching. Regardless, that isn’t a bad thing.
Of course the movie does take time here and there to insert parody videos and parodies of blockbuster films from the time, all thanks of George’s imagination. I can appreciate this stuff, found it never hurts the film, and think it really sets the charm for UHF. The story of course gets down to a story of an underdog TV station and its battle with a evil more money driven network affiliation. The plot never does stay on a straight line, but it ever does fly off the rails in my eyes. If anything it is good clean fun with a few random moment of violence tossed in for good measure. In some cases there is blood, but it is never enough to go over the PG-13 rating of the film. I, like most people, was late to the party with UHF. Having seen it, I can say I really dig it. I think most people young and old will as well. Also, the transfer looks pretty darn amazing. Some scenes have more detail than others, but outside where we see the TV program/ad shots through the TV or the opening credits, things look better than most might expect.
- Retrospective Panel From San Diego Comic-Con 2014
- Audio Commentary
- Deleted Scenes
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- Music Video
- Production Stills
- Promotional Materials
- Reversible Cover Art
