Beloved comedian Chris Farley’s first starring role in films celebrates a 30th anniversary in the ultra-high definition disc release of Tommy Boy (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated PG-13, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, 97 minutes, $25.99).
As always, Farley exhibited boundless energy and a reckless exuberance as bumbling son Thomas R. “Tommy” Callahan III, tasked with saving the family business after the unexpected death of his father (Brian Dennehy).
Specifically, Tommy has two weeks to save the Calahan Auto parts company by going on the road with hesitant and curmudgeonly co-worker Richard Hayden (David Spade) to sell a new line of brake pads and make enough cash to cover outstanding bank loans, so the board does not sell to rival Ray Zalinsky (Dan Aykroyd).
Tommy’s plan nearly succeeds until his father’s widow Beverly (Bo Derek) and her supposed brother Paul (Rob Lowe) pull off some behind-the-scenes shenanigans, potentially sabotaging his work.
The film shines, though not a box office smash at the time, thanks to a dynamite cast supporting Farley (how did they get Ms. Derek and Dennehy?), the chemistry between Farley and Mr. Spade, and Farley’s nuclear-bomb-exploding comedic style.
He has plenty of moments that deliver big belly laughs, such as Tommy changing clothes in an airplane bathroom that comes right out of the Three Stooges or Marx Brothers playbook and his ’flash dance” at a gas station.
Losing Farley to addiction in 1997 was a tragedy, but thankfully, fans have his vintage work on “Saturday Night Live” and films such as “Tommy Boy” to appreciate his legacy forever.
4K in action: Newly remastered under the supervision of director Peter Segal, “Tommy Boy” still shows its age, but the dynamic range enhancement really pumps up some of the vivid colors.
Examples include eye-watering reds from roses to a sharp blue Marquette Rugby college jacket or the piercing blues of a painted factory floor, a bright orange life preserver jacket, a blinding yellow stuffed animal, intense brownish orange stained wood and a purple blazer that really stands out on a crowded street.
Best extras: Viewers get the complete package of goodies originally released back in 2005 as part of the Holy Schnike DVD Edition.
An optional commentary track with director Peter Segal offers his thoughts a decade after the film’s release, but he also spends just as much time watching and laughing along with viewers at the onscreen shenanigans.
Already feeling bad about talking over a movie (blaming his father for the guilt), Mr. Segal covers casting, the evolution of an unfinished script, the musical score, some frigid shooting locations, the importance of screenwriter Fred Wolf and that many of funny moments in the film were taken from real-life scenarios.
His reflections include that Farley was clean and sober while making the film, “Shrek” creators patterned the donkey and ogre after Farley and Mr. Spade’s relationship, and they did like 43 takes of the cow tipping scene.
Four featurettes follow (roughly 60 minutes in total) covering the overall production, the relationship between Mr. Spade and Farley, a short biography of Farley growing up (with help from his brother Kevin and John), and the genesis of such onscreen bits as “fat guy in a tiny coat,” getting a deer to stand on a car, Tommy dressing in an airliner bathroom and the pair of comedians singing along to the Carpenters’ “Superstar.”
Follow that up with 27 deleted, extended or alternate scenes (about 30 minutes), seven storyboard comparisons (14 minutes), a gag reel (four minutes) and 19 TV promos (seven minutes).
Yes, holy schnike indeed.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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