6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The film's plot follows the adventures of June (Kristen Baker who also starred in Friday the 13th part II) and her friends who after their senior year of high school, agree to help June's uncle's failing gas and service station, which faces stiff competition from the new, bigger, more modern station that has recently opened across the street.
Starring: Kirsten Baker, Sandy Johnson (II), Leslie King (II), Steve Bond, Ken LernerComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Emerging from the depths of drive-in cinema is 1979’s “Gas Pump Girls,” and a title like that conjures images of pure sleaze and shamelessness. Co- writer/director Joel Bender doesn’t have the vision to truly live up to expectations, creating a slightly more innocent take on the way of topless women and their daily problems with men. It’s extreme R-rated fluff from the helmer, who’s not the best when piecing together shenanigans or dealing with plot, but he does find a lightness to the picture that keeps it approachable, spending just as much time with comedy as he does ogling women. “Gas Pump Girls” isn’t refined, but it understands what it is, delivering low-budget escapism with a distinct late-‘70s atmosphere.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation contributes a satisfactory viewing experience for "Gas Pump Girls." Age is apparent but not problematic, with clarity reasonably good throughout the feature. Detail is retained for exploitation interests, keeping skin natural and clothing sheer. Locations are appealing, permitting exploration of signage and street depths. Facial particulars come through with some softness, preserving the true age of the "teenagers." Colors are agreeably defined, with bright pinks and blues on Super Duper uniforms, while a flatter gray is found with the Pyramid outfits. The sunbaked California setting is identified, offering a more golden look to the film, triggering some bloomy whites. Delineation isn't problematic. Source is in decent shape, with mild speckling.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix has a small issue with hiss, which runs throughout the entire listening event. There's little sharpness to the track, but dialogue exchanges come through without disruption. Comedic speeds are noted. Scoring is also slightly muted, but disco moods and comedic antics are supported adequately. Soundtrack cuts do just as well, offering more direct vocals. Room environments are appreciable, exploring indoor and outdoor adventures with some detail.
"Gas Pump Girls" does offer a few laughs, a couple of head-scratchers (there's a surplus of shots with characters openly smoking near the pumps), and non-sequitur doo-wop from The Vultures. The central challenge between Super Duper Station and Pyramid Gas is ripe for exploration, but the pranks and schemes that eventually come for fruition are lackluster, missing a lively sense of play. Granted, it's not easy to turn gas stations into a wonderland of impishness, but Bender certainly doesn't crank up rascality. He prefers a softer sense of competition, and he makes an impressive time capsule, with the film working in radio commentary from Cousin Brucie, OPEC influence, and plenty of disco dance parties to keep the feature as 1970s as possible. "Gas Pump Girls" is certainly entertaining, with Bender trying to work his way around sexploitation without getting his hands too dirty. It could be tighter and funnier, but as drive-in distraction, most needs are met.
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