The Roots of the View Askewniverse in 4k

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MOVIE REVIEW
Mallrats
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Genre: Comedy, Romance
Year Released: 1995, 2023 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Kevin Smith
Writer(s): Kevin Smith
Cast: Shannen Doherty, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Jeremy London, Claire Forlani, Joey Lauren Adams, Michael Rooker, Ethan Suplee, Jason Mewes, Priscilla Barnes, Stan Lee
Where To Watch: available June 27, 2023, pre-order from www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Kevin Smith, a renowned name in the filmmaking realm, is the brains behind the quirky cinematic universe, the View Askewniverse, teeming with memorable characters and a unique brand of humor. MALLRATS stands tall within this assortment of notable films, radiating a flavor unmistakably '90s. As a sequel in the works, we seize the opportunity to journey back and immerse ourselves in the vibrant world sculpted with Smith's innovative hands with the second film in the universe following the 1994 premiere of CLERKS.

This beautiful 4k restoration (despite what Smith says in a humorous opening skit before the movie) of MALLRATS plunges us into a standard 90s shopping mall, the heart of teenage lives, way back when. Here, the enthusiastic pairing of Brodie (Jason Lee) and TS (Jeremy London) pursue romantic redemption after screwing up their current relationships. In their quest, they find unlikely comrades in Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), the dynamic duo who become the cement of this universe. Their paths cross over with a love-themed game show hosted within the mall's promenade; this was a regular occurrence for anyone who wasn’t alive during the height of mall-dom. These one-stop shops hosted everything from concerts to car shows and everything in between.

Smith's sophomore cinematic endeavor, MALLRATS, is firmly anchored in pop culture. The film is peppered with humorous banter and nods to popular culture, making it a pleasant watch for those interested in cinema and comics. Make no mistake, though, this film is a product of its time and has some lines of dialogue that show their age. Although, as I’ve said before, this is another prime example of art being art, I’m glad that no one felt the need to go back and edit out references that may make some uncomfortable. I don’t think that MALLRATS should be edited down, just as I don’t think something like GONE WITH THE WIND should be. While I don’t agree with some of the things said in these films, I think it's important to leave them as they were, a time capsule of cinema during those periods.

Laughter is the fuel that drives MALLRATS; Jason Lee's depiction of Brodie dovetails perfectly with Smith's sharp and witty script. Honestly, though, this was the perfect cast for a film like this, featuring the likes of Shannen Doherty, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Ethan Suplee, and more; the cast was the epitome of what a mid-90s film should have been.

MALLRATS is another exhibition of Smith's genius, and seeing the extended edition for the first time in 4k was terrific. The level of attention to detail was clearly put into this restoration. Arrow did a phenomenal job bringing life to a film I had only seen on grainy DVD. I plan on watching the TV edit this weekend out of morbid curiosity. MALLRATS encapsulates the struggles of Gen-X, ranging from romantic tiffs to everyday chaos, embedding these aspects into its storyline, painting a funny and authentic picture of 90s life.

Smith weaves comic and superhero motifs into MALLRATS, granting it a unique identity. From the superhero-themed opening credits to casual conversations around comic book characters, the film unabashedly embraces comic culture. Adding a Stan Lee cameo further strengthens the comic theme of the film. Smith is a huge comic fan and proves that making films about what you love is the best way to make an authentic, heartfelt film. Although the movie isn’t just about this, you can tell where his heart is. In an era when the comic culture was primarily underrepresented in mainstream media, MALLRATS emerged as a pathbreaker, bringing this subculture to the forefront.

The film even dares to tread on serious issues, such as gender bias within geek culture, adding an unexpected level of complexity to the otherwise light-hearted narrative. We get a roller-coaster of topics in the film, some battles far ahead of their time and others that feel straight from the 90s.

In conclusion, MALLRATS exemplifies Smith's skill to harmonize humor, pop culture references, and empathetic storytelling, molding a film that has withstood the test of time. As we eagerly anticipate the sequel, fans and first-timers alike can look back at one of the best films of the 90s in its best possible presentation. (plus, you get so many fantastic extras in the limited edition box.)

BONUS MATERIALS:
– 4K restoration by Arrow Films of both the Theatrical and Extended cuts of the film, approved by director Kevin Smith and cinematographer David Klein
– 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
– Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
– Optional English subtitles for people who are hard of hearing on all cuts
– Audio commentary on the Theatrical version and other cuts with director Kevin Smith, producer Scott Mosier, archivist Vincent Pereira, and actors Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Jason Mewes
– Introduction to the film by Kevin Smith
– My Mallrat Memories, an interview with Kevin Smith
– Tribute to producer Jim Jacks by Kevin Smith
– Interview with actor Jason Mewes
– Interview with Cinematographer David Klein
– Hollywood of the North, an animated making-of-documentary featuring Minnesota crew members who worked on the film
– Deleted Scenes, Kevin Smith and Vincent Pereira discuss deleted scenes and sequences initially cut from the film.
– Outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage
– Cast interviews from the original set
– Erection of an Epic: The Making of Mallrats, an archival retrospective with cast and crew looking at the making and release of the film
– Q&A with Kevin Smith, archival Q&A filmed for the 10th anniversary
– ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ music video
– Still galleries
– Archival introduction to the extended cut by Kevin Smith and Scott Mossier
– Soundtrack EPK
– Dailies
– Theatrical trailer
– Easter eggs
– Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Philip Kemp
– Fold out poster featuring replica blueprints for ‘Operation Drive-by’ and ‘Operation Dark Knight.’
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Robert Sammelin

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO/MVD ENTERTAINMENT]