Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 11, 2015

While teen cinema in the 1980s was primarily geared toward young boys, 1984’s “Where the Boys Are” emerges as the rare switcheroo, targeting females with its collection of bonding, non-threatening male characters, and weirdly chaste forays into sexual experimentation. It’s a remake of a 1960 production, with producer Allan Carr (“Grease”) trying to bring cutesy beach party shenanigans into a more cynical decade. “Where the Boys Are” doesn’t connect as intended, but it’s not a complete wipeout, finding charm with its four lead actresses: Lisa Hartman, Wendy Schaal, Lynn-Holly Johnson, and Lorna Luft.

Fort Lauderdale during spring break is the playground selected by four college women on the hunt for a pure experience away from boyfriends, books, and responsibility. “Where the Boys Are” doesn’t arrange a thrilling obstacle course for the characters, keeping them to easily managed conflicts with high-maintenance men and outright creeps, while director Hy Averback maintains command over the celebratory mood, which extends to house parties, beach encounters, and a “Hot Bod” contest that delivers some of a mild R-rated material to be found here.

Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation has an advantage, surveying brightly clothed characters visited sun-soaked locations, creating an acceptable viewing experience that represents the original cinematography. Detail runs into softness but remains to a modest degree, bringing out facial and body particulars, while more expansive scenes of celebration are open for survey. Grain is filmic but runs on the thicker side. Delineation carries accordingly, making sense out of evening encounters. Source displays a few scratchy moments, but remains mostly clean.

Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix delivers wonderfully bold soundtrack cuts, with defined instrumentation and expanse providing a lift to the listening event, while live performances also carry heft. Dialogue exchanges are clear and group activity is managed, leaving nothing lost when party scenes heat up. Atmospherics are defined to satisfaction, feeling out beach encounters and hotel shenanigans.

Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (32:36, SD) with Wendy Schaal provides ample coverage of her time filming "Where the Boys Are," including a positive assessment of her co-stars and a few weird run-ins with producer Allen Carr. A career overview is also provided, including time on "Fantasy Island" and various movies with director Joe Dante.

• Interview (22:09, SD) with Russell Todd catches up with the former actor, who's now an agent for stedicam operators in Hollywood. Talk of co-stars and his climatic stage performance in "Where the Boys Are" carries most of the conversation.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:16, HD) is included.

Where the Boys Are '84 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Those on the prowl for cheap thrills aren't going to find much in "Where the Boys Are," which aims to please its target demographic through romantic displays of affection and peaceful resolutions, trying to keep the whole presentation comfortable enough to pass. It's successful in that regard, but also disappointingly flat and, of course, predictable. "Where the Boys Are" is content to observe the party scene, not become one.