"WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER" DVD: For My Pussy (reviewed by AX)

Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I'm all about what people refer to as "cult" movies. But what is a cult movie? By definition, it's a film that, for whatever reason, didn't catch on with the general public and/or wasn't really a big hit. However, for one reason or another, said film is absolutely adored by a sizeable segment of the population. So the movie ends up with a loyal "cult" following: basically a group of people who all share a deep appreciation and affinity for the film. Back in the day, they'd show these films at midnight on weekends at theaters in large cities, and make tons of dough off the followers (examples: ROCKY HORROR, PINK FLAMINGOS, ERASERHEAD, THE WALL). Since the advent of video, however, many films which may have otherwise got lost in the shuffle have instead enjoyed repeated viewings at parties and the like. As a teenager, I ran the film EVIL DEAD 2 on a loop in my bedroom vcr. I adore that movie to this day.

So what in god's green fuck does this have to do with WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER? Well I'll tell you. I've seen enough films that've gone on to become "cult classics" to know that this one is headed for glory. Generally cult movies share the same characteristics: the humor is skewed or bizarre, the plot is either completely off the wall, nonexistent, or veers madly in the opposite direction that the audience is expecting. Perhaps there are no really big stars, resulting in completely wacko performances that are a stark contrast to what we're used to seeing in a Hollywood picture. And one more thing, they can tend to feature out-of-place, unnecessary comic violence. And the greatest ones even incorporate cool or ironic music.

David Wain & MIchael Showalter's WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER fits all of the above characteristics. It is funny as shit, extremely clever, and like all the best cult movies, is chock full of quotable dialogue. It has a style all its own, and the comedy manages to stay sharp without getting too goofy (yet retaining a healthy respect for obscene language and toilet humor). When this film was released, I saw it in a theater the size of a shoebox...and the sound was in regular stereo. It completed the experience, as it turned out, because WET HOT takes place in 1980 anyway. The music of "artists" like Rick Springfield and Loverboy (both featured on the soundtrack, along with some incredibly authentic-sounding original tunes) was never meant to be heard any other way. All in all, I'd say the last comedy that was this original and hilarious was 1998's ORGAZMO, another cult classic.

Luckily, this film got an excellent release on DVD. You get the movie in widescreen, a commentary track w/ Wain, Showalter, and star Janeane Garofalo (just one of many in an incredible ensemble cast full to the brim with great characters & subplots), an alternate audio soundtrack that incorporates "more farts", a lengthy making-of feature, cast interviews, tons of still photos, and a set of extremely funny deleted scenes. You can't miss with this DVD or with the movie itself. It rules. A perfect 5 out of 5.

I want to leave you with my favorite bit of dialogue from WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER. Imagine a cafeteria table full of young, preteen girls talking and giggling. Now, imagine a nerdy, bespectacled boy (wearing a cape fashioned from a blanket), walking up to said table in an attempt to gather some new recruits for a game of Dungeons And Dragons...

CAPED BOY: "How about you, Alyssa...you have already cast a level 5 spell on me."

ALYSSA: "In your dreams, douche bag!"

CAPED BOY (smiling): "Douche bags ARE a hygenic product, I take that as a compliment."

(1.30.01)