Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 23, 2016

Drive-in cinema receives a thorough workout in 1979’s “Cheerleaders’ Wild Weekend” (titled “The Great American Girl Robbery” on the Blu-ray), which blends all types of exploitation interests to come up with a bizarre mix of titillation and violence. Director Jeff Werner shows more skill with sleaze than tone, struggling to find a balance between the movie’s commitment to exposed skin and its caper-style plotting, which involves a radical organization kidnapping three cheerleading squads on their way to a competition. There are guns, breasts, escape attempts, and money exchanges, and yet the whole thing feels oddly inert.

Werner isn’t exactly solving algebra equations with “Cheerleaders’ Wild Weekend,” but he struggles to execute the essentials in B-movie pleasures. Instead of a carefree romp, the picture is more menacing, forcing viewers to remain on edge as the kidnappers decide if they want to hurt their captives, with a few of the women electing to make a run for it. While “Cheerleaders’ Wild Weekend” doesn’t lose its mind and indulge cruelty, it doesn’t exactly reject the idea, failing to mesh with the parade of toplessness that carries throughout the effort.

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is best in broad daylight, offering brightness to bring out the finest in detail, which comes through superbly on costuming and ample displays of skin. Delineation is troublesome during evening encounters, finding frame information solidifying on occasion. Colors are strong, with rich primaries that show little fatigue. Grain is fine and filmic. Source hits a few stretches of speckling, scratches, and jumpy frames, but mostly remains intact.

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is plagued with age issues, finding dialogue exchanges sometimes hard to understand due to a muffled quality, and pops are common throughout the listening experience, periodically surging in intensity. It's a dull track, lacking ideal clarity, restraining scoring selections and atmospherics. Hiss is also detected.

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Jeff Werner, actress Marilyn Joi, and editor Gregory McClatchy.

• "Katarina's Bucket List Theater Mode" (3:50, HD) features host Katarina Leigh Waters, who shares IMDB information with viewers.

• Interview (10:55, SD) with Kristine DeBell is a career overview with no mention of "Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend," perhaps underlining the actress's pride in the work. Walking through performance highlights, the chat briefly covers DeBell's time on a number of T.V. and movie projects, including "Meatballs" and "Battle Creek Brawl."

• Interview (8:48, SD) with actor Jason Williams mostly discusses his participation in "Flesh Gordon" and his personal relationships.

• Interview (14:39, SD) with actress Marilyn Joi also inspects career choices.

• Interview (27:22, SD) with actor Leon Isaac Kennedy talks about his actual experience in radio, helping him with his role as a DJ in "Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:17, SD) is included.

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A movie like "Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend" should be more amusing and exciting. Werner keeps things pretty sour, while the central hostage situation doesn't lead to any noticeable spikes in suspense. "Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend" could be classified as a disappointment considering the ingredients Werner has to work with, but let's not get crazy. It simply misfires due to poor management and iffy material to begin with.