Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 5, 2020

Sensing a gap in the marketplace, writer/producer Mike Marvin attempts to use the world of freestyle skiing for his own take on “Animal House,” dreaming up 1984’s “Hot Dog…The Movie.” What Marvin lacks in screenwriting prowess he makes up for in sheer enthusiasm for the sport and horndog cinema, working to assemble his own take on the subgenre, blending copious amounts of nudity and high jinks with a distinct display of athleticism, stunts, and speed. “Hot Dog…The Movie” isn’t high art by any means, and the film often believes it’s more amusing than it really is, but it does retain entertainment value as the production figures out what kind of story it wants to tell between mountain battles, coming up with a slightly meandering endeavor that periodically comes to life when it achieves even a mild amount of focus on sellable elements.

Harkin (Patrick Houser) is an Idaho farm boy with a big dream to compete in a freestyle skiing competition in California, making a pilgrimage to Squaw Valley to check out the competition. Along the way, Harkin picks up Sunny (Tracy Smith), a wily young woman trying to hitchhike her way to San Francisco, soon growing close to her driver as the pair bonds during the road trip. Arriving at the resort, Harkin is exposed to the evil of Austrian skier Rudi (John Patrick Reger) and the seductive ways of Sylvia (Shannon Tweed), eventually settling in with Dan (David Naughton), a party animal ski pro who leads the “Rat Pack,” joined by Squirrel (Frank Koppala) and Kendo (James Saito). With Rudi proving to be tough competition as the event begins, Harkin struggles with his feeling for Sunny and tomfoolery from Dan, who strives to disrupt the villain’s confidence with pranks and humiliations, creating tension between the warring sides as the celebration carries on day and night.

Marvin makes a pass at characterization with Harkin, who’s a small town boy with a big dream to showcase his skiing skills at the Squaw Valley resort, hoping to rub elbows with champions and possibly win the event. He’s a mild guy who offers help to Sunny, a defensive woman who doesn’t trust easily, staying alert as the pair are forced to share a truck ride and a few motel rooms. Harkin is the hero of the story, and Marvin makes sure to protect his likeability, keeping him away from most temptation (Sylvia’s hypnotic appeal overwhelms him), and he’s a folk singer too, charming Sunny with his tunes. It’s silly, but that’s “Hot Dog…The Movie,” which largely finger-paints when it comes to creating personalities, including Rudi, a German-speaking brute who loves to crush his enemies. And there’s Dan, who’s really an alcoholic and a possible sexual predator, but this is 1984, so he’s just a fun dude who lives to drink, ski, and drink some more.

The cartoonish nature of “Hot Dog…The Movie” holds the whole thing together, as Marvin only gets serious with Harkin and Sunny, trying to be sensitive with their burgeoning relationship, which involves immediate cheating and severe behavioral issues. But hey, that’s as close to soft as the film gets. The rest of the picture involves impishness from the Rat Pack, who look to dominate the slopes and rile Rudi up, messing with his equipment and engaging in a snowball attack on his squad of bros. Director Peter Markel doesn’t have command of the endeavor, but he comes up with intermittent silliness, and the production’s appreciation for sexploitation is impressive, working in a wet t-shirt contest and various hot tub trysts along the way, hoping to engage those who don’t really care about the sport of freestyle skiing.

Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Synapse isn't messing around when it comes to bringing "Hot Dog…The Movie" to Blu-ray, offering a 4K restoration of the "Producer's Cut," sourced from "the original 35mm camera negative." The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is impressive, creating an exciting clarity to the viewing event, making detail exceptional, embracing the inherent dimensions of the locations. Texture is also enjoyable on ski gear, which favors cold weather outfits. Skin particulars are exact, showcasing fine hairs and perspiration, and overall sharpness is appreciable when it comes to the rowdier aspects of the feature. Colors enjoy bright clothing, with bold reds and yellows, and interiors, such as the fantasy motel, retain deep blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is precise. Grain is carefully managed. Source is in excellent condition.

Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The original 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is offered on the Blu-ray, but a newly created 5.1 DTS-HD MA track does a respectful job bringing "Hot Dog…The Movie" up to home theater enjoyment. There's immediate fullness to appreciate, presenting a more authoritative listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and emotive, protecting silly accent work and group interplay. Scoring cues secure a lively synth presence, supporting the action superbly, and soundtrack cuts are distinct, adding period pop with appealing low-end presence. Surrounds contribute a fine sense of atmospherics with occasional separation definition, most notably during the snowball fight.

Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/producer Mike Marvin.

• "Hot Dog…The Documentary" (54:36, HD) endeavors to celebrate the release of "Hot Dog…The Movie," leading with writer/producer Mike Marvin, who shares how much of the picture was based on his actual experiences as a skier and traveler, even using real names for a few of the characters. Hoping to direct, Marvin was made a producer instead, showing little chemistry with Peter Markle, who was hired to keep the effort on schedule. Creative differences complicated the Tahoe shoot, which quickly devolved into a party atmosphere, giving the cast room to misbehave. Actors John Patrick Reger, David Naughton, Frank Koppala, and Tracy Smith appear to discuss their involvement with the production, sharing their casting stories and personality quirks on-set. Questions of nudity are addressed, along with politically incorrect humor that hasn't aged well, with Marvin slightly defensive about the topic, protective of his R-rated baby he gradually takes full credit for, as Markle was eventually fired from the picture. Skiing skills are assessed, mountain challenges are revealed, and stunts are celebrated, creating an interesting overview of the "Hot Dog… The Movie" production experience, which culminated with the creation of real snow for the L.A. premiere and box office success. Finally, the effort's cult appeal is assessed, with Marvin once again stepping up to label the feature a "Rocky Horror"-style cult sensation.

• T.V. Spot (:32, HD) offers a commercial for "Hot Dog…The Movie."

• Radio Spots (2:31) collect three ads.

• Music Video (2:24, SD) is for "Top of the Hill," performed by Clif Magness.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:20, HD) is included.

Hot Dog... The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The skiing sequences are sharply edited and photographed, out to provide an introduction of sorts to the titular pursuit, highlighting balletic grace. There's a "Chinese Downhill" speed chase for the finale to keep things exciting, but there's a purity to the snow worship in "Hot Dog…The Movie" that holds attention, providing a great commercial for the region and its inherent beauty. Laughs are limited, with most shenanigans coming up short in inventiveness, but performances are energetic, allowing the feature to coast on goofball intentions, punctuated with heavenly visits to fresh snow and the sight of professionals flipping, twirling, and racing their way to skiing glory.