Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Drop Dead Fred Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 6, 2022

I saw “Drop Dead Fred” in 1991, and I didn’t care for it. I revisited the feature in 2011 for an anniversary piece, and I didn’t care for it. However, over the last decade, the film has evolved from a forgettable, incorrectly marketed comedy into something that means quite a bit to certain viewers. “Drop Dead Fred” has become a cult favorite, though not for its sense of humor, instead managing to reach people who view the endeavor as a subversive study of psychology, using wacky jokes and manic spirit to provide a thin layer of merriment over a profoundly dark tale of mental illness. It’s definitely one way to read the picture, as bits and pieces of such analysis are present in the final cut. It’s the rest of the effort that’s remains abrasive and unfunny, with the production betting big on co-star Rik Mayall’s big screen appeal, which is mostly missing from the endeavor. Third time should be the charm, but I still don’t care for it.

Suffering through divorce, unemployment, and emotional abuse from her overbearing mother, Polly (Marsha Mason), Lizzie (Phoebe Cates) is a wreck, necessitating the return of her imaginary friend from childhood, Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall). An obnoxious troublemaker who’s missed his old pal, the “Snot Face,” Fred proceeds to raise hell to keep Lizzie on her toes, dragging her through several misadventures that make the unsteady woman seem like a destructive mess to the outside world. Desperate to reclaim her old life, Lizzie comes to find Fred a nuisance once her lecherous ex-husband, Charles (Tim Matheson), makes himself suspiciously available for a reconciliation.

“Drop Dead Fred” isn’t out to become a transformative viewing experience. It wants to be mischievous, creating a world where Lizzie requires the release of an imaginary friend to work out her various issues, with most of them tied to her mother’s overbearing, loveless behavior. There’s a film to be made about this relationship, but the material is more interested in laughs, creating an obnoxious force of nature in Fred, who’s the Beetlejuice of the picture, bent on destroying everything he comes into contact with in the name of childish fun. Such fury gives director Ate de Jong opportunities to imagine wild acts of sabotage and bodily function humor, giving Mayall a starring vehicle to display his shenanigans. Unfortunately, this involves a lot of volume, not timing, with Mayall screaming his way through “Drop Dead Fred,” on a mission to replicate the cartoon experience for a live-action production. He’s unbearable in the part, creating a sizable issue with logic, as it never makes sense why Lizzie would be so patient with a creation that brings nothing to her life but more problems.

This concept of Fred as a part of Lizzie’s psychological survival is where personal interpretation kicks in, as many find “Drop Dead Fred” to be understanding when it comes to the female experience, dealing with gaslighting men, toxic mothers, and issues of self-reliance. I can’t possibly deny the feature’s power to some, but its execution is often odious, as de Jong has such poor command of slapstick comedy, never sharpening the material to a fine point. He’s trying to reach young viewers with acts of booger-smearing and Tex Avery-style moments, but the screenplay heads in a completely different direction, remaining with Lizzie and her free-fall into insanity, brought on by all the ugliness of her adult life. There should be a middle ground where the two extremes of “Drop Dead Fred” meet, but the movie doesn’t have the discipline for that, swinging wildly from screaming broadness to feeble sincerity, losing track of Lizzie’s character arc along the way.

Drop Dead Fred Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 35mm interpositive. Being such a colorful film, hues are quite lively during the viewing experience, bringing Fred's orange hair and green outfits to life, and primaries are notable with period fashion and decorative additions. Skintones are natural. Greenery is distinct and interiors are warmer, preserving sunny day cinematography. Detail is generally strong, surveying deep Minneapolis exteriors and textured skin surfaces, including makeup additions. Grain is heavy but film-like. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in strong condition.

Drop Dead Fred Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a comfortable overview of the frantic antics of the feature, with slapstick adventures and screaming matches never slipping into distortion. A few mild moments of age are present. Scoring is inherently thin, but the chirpy synth sound registers as intended. Sound effects are prioritized, keeping Fred's movement appreciable.

Drop Dead Fred Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (six pages) contains an interview with actress Phoebe Cates.

• Commentary features director Ate de Jong.

• "Imaginary Friends" (27:22, HD) is an interview with co-writers Anthony Singleton and Carlos Davis, who chart the development of the "Drop Dead Fred" idea, which required research into the world of imaginary friends. John Cleese was originally approached for the eponymous role before Rik Mayall was found, and the interviewees share just how much influence the performer had on the screenplay, describing Mayall as "the engine that drove it all." Casting is celebrated, with Phoebe Cates adding her own ideas to the story, and director Ate de Jong is remembered as an odd choice for the material. Memories of the Minneapolis premiere are shared, and the men go into the troubled U.S. release of "Drop Dead Fred." Sequel plans are explored, along with the cult longevity of the movie. A tribute to Mayall closes out the interview, and an understanding of Cates's current life of retirement is included.

• "Drop Dead Look" (10:44, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Peter Deming, who joined the "Drop Dead Fred" shoot a week into filming, forced to catch up with the demands of the production. Deming was concerned about finding the rhythm of the picture, dealing with director Ate de Jong and the energy of star Rik Mayall, who was all over the frame. Lighting choices are analyzed and the unreality of the material is discussed. Deming is surprised about the cult appreciation for "Drop Dead Fred," recognizing a young generation of fans.

• "Mischief Makers" (26:10, HD) is a breakdown of the technical shots of "Drop Dead Fred," featuring interviews with VFX producers Peter Kuran and Kevin Kutchaver, stop-motion animator Doug Beswick, special photography effects artist Paul Gentry, and special makeup effects artist Christopher Johnson. The interviewees track the early years of their careers, including time on "Star Wars" and "Gumby," but the bulk of the talk concerns how certain shots were pulled off in "Drop Dead Fred," using a variety of traditional techniques and one digital cartoon moment, pulled off years before "The Mask" took all the credit for such visual mischief.

• "The Mega Beast Speaks Out" (11:11, HD) is an interview with actress Marsha Mason, who was drawn to "Drop Dead Fred" after learning she would be playing a mean character, making a change from recent roles. Mason discusses her relationships with director Ate de Jong and the screenwriters, and she goes into character choices. Mason also shares her thoughts on working with co-stars Rik Mayall and Phoebe Cates.

• "I'm Your Fella, Annabella" (9:37, HD) is an interview with actor Tim Matheson, who discusses his time with co-stars Rik Mayall and Phoebe Cates, exploring how ego sometimes disrupts the production process, excited to join a happy shoot. The tone of "Drop Dead Fred" is analyzed, and the passionate fanbase for the film is celebrated.

• "A Conversation with director Ate de Jong and producer Paul Webster" (32:57, HD) sits down with the interviewees, who explore project origins, casting victories, technical achievements, and the unsuccessful theatrical release of "Drop Dead Fred," which gained on a following on home video. The interviewees close with a Rik Mayall tribute, citing his special screen energy as a reason why a sequel was never made.

• "Memories of Snot Face" (8:13, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Ashley Peldon, who recalls her time on the "Drop Dead Fred" set as a little girl. The interviewee offers memories of co-stars, enjoying play time with Rik Mayall. Now an adult, Peldon has shown the feature to her own kids, interested in their response after pursuing a career in psychology.

• Deleted Scenes (26:48, SD) are sourced from a VHS workprint of "Drop Dead Fred," and provide a deeper understanding of the feature's original intent. There's extended time with Mickey (including an alternate meet cute), additional Fred antics, and a more complete version of the imagination world climax, providing a more satisfying understanding of Polly's emotional health.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:14, HD) is included.

Drop Dead Fred Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Drop Dead Fred" isn't for children, filled with rough language (some of it has been crudely removed to keep a PG-13 rating) and mature interactions (Fred's obsession with looking up dresses says something about Lizzie, but the material doesn't go there), and de Jong is no master of tone, making the viewing experience exhausting as the feature chases whims to give Mayall stuff to do, never gelling into an enlightening picture. Again, others have a different response to "Drop Dead Fred," creating a true Rorschach test viewing experience. Perhaps such dramatic and academic clarity is all there for the taking, but it's often impossible to appreciate whatever the movie is offering when it's all trapped behind a thick wall of obnoxiousness, half-baked writing, and the sight of an agonizingly unbridled Rik Mayall.