If American Graffiti was the film that defined the sock hop/car culture/drive-in scene of the early 60s then Dazed and Confused (1993) is the film that represents the 70s in all its long haired, pot smoking, free-wheeling, bell bottomed beauty. In the early 90s Writer-Director Richard Linklater produced an indie feature about a group of Austin, Texas high school students (based on his own experiences/friends) and the result was one of the most honest, well made movies of its kind.
This is a perfect time to use the old saying “Unless you’ve seen it, you really won’t know just how great it is”. The way the story gives the viewer a close up look into the lives of these mischevous, rebellious but likable kids just makes you feel like you’re part of their inner circle. Its the final day of school on the eve of summer 1976 and the excitement of being free is beginning. Soon everyone is making party plans and as the sun goes down, the beer starts to flow, the weed gets lit up and the rock music blasts. From there we go on an adventure with our new friends Mitch, Pink, Wooderson, Don, Cynthia, Benny, Simone and relive the wildness and abandon of those golden days when you were invincible and the only thing that mattered was looking for any new thrills that came along.
Above all else, Richard Linklater was able to brilliantly channel the good time feelings of the days before adulthood sets in and you had to get more serious about the future. Dazed and Confused is a glimpse at the little shining moment where the joy of being young is in its full buzzing glory. It’s also the kind of movie you can revisit time and time again and re-experience that pleasure. The down to earth characters portrayed by a cast of excellent young actors, make it a true treasure of cinema that is sure to make you smile and look back fondly on the good ol’ days of your life, whatever decade you grew up in.
The soundtrack for the movie is especially cool and features so many authentic sounds from the era. Popular groups like KISS, Aerosmith, Foghat, ZZ Top, Bob Dylan, The Runaways and others will blast through your home theater speakers and make you feel like you’re out on the town with your best buddies.
Those good folks at Criterion have re-released the film with an all new high-definition restoration that is sure to look gorgeous on your HDTV screen.
We highly recommend picking up this Blu Ray, popping it in your player, getting some strong libations ready, cranking up the sound and letting the good times roll!
DIRECTOR APPROVED DEFINITIVE SPECIAL EDITION:
* High-definition digital transfer of the director’s cut, supervised by director Richard Linklater and cinematographer Lee Daniel
* Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks
* Audio commentary by Linklater
* Making Dazed, a fifty-minute documentary by Kahane Corn
* Rare on-set interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
* Footage from the ten-year anniversary celebration
* Audition footage and deleted Scenes
* Original theatrical trailer
* A booklet featuring essays by Kent Jones, Jim DeRogatis, and Chuck Klosterman; memories of the film from the cast and crew; character profiles; and the original film poster by Frank Kozik
