There are few films that bring this reviewer more joy and laughter than the ridiculousness of UHF. The film stands in rarified air of parodies that absolutely work as movies before films (see Airplane!; Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad; and Hot Shots!). Though for this reviewer ounce for ounce, the Weird Al Yankovic star vehicle is the best of the bunch.
UHF is your basic “slob vs snobs” story though set in the world of TV. George (Yankovic) an aimless dreamer in a bit of nepotism gets the job as program director at the local UHF Channel 62. The out-of-the-box demented thinking gives George a leg up on the competition in town. That competition is RJ Fletcher (Kevin McCarthy), owner of Channel 8 the big such-and-such network affiliate. As Channel 62 begins to program out-of-the-box programs like Wheel of Fish and Conan the Librarian (“Don’t you know the DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM”) their ratings skyrocket the station to number 1 in the ratings. Fletcher hatches a devious plan to take control of Channel 62 and turn it into a parking lot. Can George and his motley crew at Channel 62 stop Fletcher?
It isn’t just that Yankovic is good. It’s that he melds so perfectly with the supporting cast all of which are as funny or funnier than the star. Michael Richards, Kevin McCarthy, Fran Drescher, Billy Barty, Gedde Watanabe, Victoria Jackson, and David Bowe all put in masterfully comedic performances. Richards as Stanley the janitor turned Kids TV show Mega Star is the standout with his obsession with his mop and putting the hurt on everyone in his show makes for truly deranged laughs. Though it’s Watanabe with the Wheel of Fish segment that breaks the bank and once you hear “STUPID WEAVER” you’ll laugh every time you even think about it.
Part of the charm and genius of the film is how well the flights of fancy are integrated into the script by Yankovic and director Jay Levey. UHF isn’t just some sort of cash grab using Yankovic’s persona to get seats into chairs. The work done here produced an actual move and a damn funny one at that.
None of it would have worked if not for Yankovic who is a tailored fit for comedic stardom on the big screen. Instead, Weird Al chose to continue his giant music career, occasionally showing up in film. Which is the ultimate crime. Never got another attempt at something like UHF. Well, that is until WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY. Which is every bit the great movie that UHF is.
Al, you’re two for two… hopefully, we don’t have to wait another twenty years to make it three for three.
The Transfer
The all-new 4K Scan of The Original Camera Negative is a beautiful upgrade in every sense of the word. The new scan in 4K is worth the price of admission alone. The film has never looked better, even on prior Blu-ray Editions which looked great. The 4K UHD is just no match when doing a side-by-side comparison. The color density, the grain structure, and the contrast are leveled up here. This is the definitive edition of UHF, it hasn’t looked this great since being projected in 35mm opening weekend – even then it probably did not look as it does here 35 years later. Bravo to the folks at Shout for the continued impressive work here and beyond giving us true upgrades in picture.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC ONE (4K UHD):
Audio Commentary With “Weird Al” Yankovic and Director Jay Levey
DISC TWO (BLU-RAY):
Retrospective Panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2014
Audio Commentary With “Weird Al” Yankovic and Director Jay Levey
Deleted Scenes
Behind-The-Scenes Footage
Music Video
Production Stills
Easter Eggs
Promotional Materials
NOTE: The Commentary Track is the only special feature included on the 4K UHD disc. All other features are on the new Blu-ray disc.
The archival audio commentary with “Weird Al” Yankovic and Director Jay Levey opens with how Levey became the director of the film and sets the tone for this comedic track. Some of the details include why you couldn’t create a perfect replica for the Oscar Statue opening moment; the various crew members that came from their music video days to do the film; the reason why the first trailers are meant to mimic a trailer from the Indiana Jones series; a discussion of Yankovic acting coach and how he helped; the title change for Europe; the box office success or lack thereof; doing press tour in Europe; all of the references that appear throughout the film; a great bit that Yankovic lists the address for each of the locations they shot at; a larger discussion of the various actors appears in the film; discussions of the various deleted scenes or bits from the film; a few “surprise” guests; and much more. The track like the film and Yankovic’s songs is more of a comedic romp into the making of the film that alternates between true facts and comedic bits. Well worth listening to especially if you’re a Weird Al fan.
Retrospective Panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 (51:07) – the panel moderated by Jonah Ray with Weird Al is a great discussion/deep dive into the career and life of Yankovic. It isn’t so much a linear discussion as it is a free association discussion between two very quick-witted minds. Ray has been on record saying that Yankovic is one of his primary influences in his life (along with MST3K). Yankovic discusses how he goes about choosing the songs to parody; how long his contract (which at that time recently completed); and American Pie/Phantom Menace single came together based on rumors and internet hearsay at the time; Weird Al live shows and just how loud they are; the Funny or Die short (which eventually became WEIRD THE AL YANKOVIC STORY); and much more. If one hasn’t seen the panel, it’s a lively and fun discussion with the legend. Note there are quite a few audience questions so please understand these are as quality as such.
Behind-The-Scenes Footage (3:41) – a vintage EPK style featurette discussing the “Wheel of Fish” scene and game show in the way that only Weird Al does these types of great parodies.
Deleted Scenes (19:14) – hosted by Weird Al this again is another send-up of special features as only Al could do. Yes, there are deleted scenes, and alternate takes on specific moments, but Al manages to take the wind out of the sails of each of them with his “commentary” (in the best way possible). Some of the deleted/alternate scenes include a “love scene”; a bloodier version of the Food show; a news report scene; an extended “Secrets of the Universe” scene; and much more. Note the quality of the deleted scenes is not the greatest as it appears to be pulled off of a VHS rip.
UHF Music Video (4:32) – note that the video has been restored beautifully.
Still Gallery (15:21) – the gallery consists of 183 images that vary from production stills, behind-the-scenes photos, and more. You can navigate the gallery by using your next and back chapter stop buttons on your remote or let the gallery play automatically.
Poster Gallery (2:07) – the gallery consists of 25 pieces of poster and home video art from around the world. You can navigate the gallery by using your next and back chapter stop buttons on your remote or let the gallery play automatically.
Teaser (0:40)
Theatrical Trailer (1:27)
The Final Thought
Shout continues to bring us the best upgrades to 4K UHD, like UHF, with beautifully restored picture and sound, coupled with great extra features. Highest recommendations!!!
Weird Al Yankovic’s cult comedy classic UHF gets a 4K UHD upgrade thanks to the fine folks at Shout Studios! The set comes with a new 4K Scan and loaded with special features!
The Film
There are few films that bring this reviewer more joy and laughter than the ridiculousness of UHF. The film stands in rarified air of parodies that absolutely work as movies before films (see Airplane!; Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad; and Hot Shots!). Though for this reviewer ounce for ounce, the Weird Al Yankovic star vehicle is the best of the bunch.
UHF is your basic “slob vs snobs” story though set in the world of TV. George (Yankovic) an aimless dreamer in a bit of nepotism gets the job as program director at the local UHF Channel 62. The out-of-the-box demented thinking gives George a leg up on the competition in town. That competition is RJ Fletcher (Kevin McCarthy), owner of Channel 8 the big such-and-such network affiliate. As Channel 62 begins to program out-of-the-box programs like Wheel of Fish and Conan the Librarian (“Don’t you know the DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM”) their ratings skyrocket the station to number 1 in the ratings. Fletcher hatches a devious plan to take control of Channel 62 and turn it into a parking lot. Can George and his motley crew at Channel 62 stop Fletcher?
It isn’t just that Yankovic is good. It’s that he melds so perfectly with the supporting cast all of which are as funny or funnier than the star. Michael Richards, Kevin McCarthy, Fran Drescher, Billy Barty, Gedde Watanabe, Victoria Jackson, and David Bowe all put in masterfully comedic performances. Richards as Stanley the janitor turned Kids TV show Mega Star is the standout with his obsession with his mop and putting the hurt on everyone in his show makes for truly deranged laughs. Though it’s Watanabe with the Wheel of Fish segment that breaks the bank and once you hear “STUPID WEAVER” you’ll laugh every time you even think about it.
Part of the charm and genius of the film is how well the flights of fancy are integrated into the script by Yankovic and director Jay Levey. UHF isn’t just some sort of cash grab using Yankovic’s persona to get seats into chairs. The work done here produced an actual move and a damn funny one at that.
None of it would have worked if not for Yankovic who is a tailored fit for comedic stardom on the big screen. Instead, Weird Al chose to continue his giant music career, occasionally showing up in film. Which is the ultimate crime. Never got another attempt at something like UHF. Well, that is until WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY. Which is every bit the great movie that UHF is.
Al, you’re two for two… hopefully, we don’t have to wait another twenty years to make it three for three.
The Transfer
The all-new 4K Scan of The Original Camera Negative is a beautiful upgrade in every sense of the word. The new scan in 4K is worth the price of admission alone. The film has never looked better, even on prior Blu-ray Editions which looked great. The 4K UHD is just no match when doing a side-by-side comparison. The color density, the grain structure, and the contrast are leveled up here. This is the definitive edition of UHF, it hasn’t looked this great since being projected in 35mm opening weekend – even then it probably did not look as it does here 35 years later. Bravo to the folks at Shout for the continued impressive work here and beyond giving us true upgrades in picture.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC ONE (4K UHD):
DISC TWO (BLU-RAY):
NOTE: The Commentary Track is the only special feature included on the 4K UHD disc. All other features are on the new Blu-ray disc.
The archival audio commentary with “Weird Al” Yankovic and Director Jay Levey opens with how Levey became the director of the film and sets the tone for this comedic track. Some of the details include why you couldn’t create a perfect replica for the Oscar Statue opening moment; the various crew members that came from their music video days to do the film; the reason why the first trailers are meant to mimic a trailer from the Indiana Jones series; a discussion of Yankovic acting coach and how he helped; the title change for Europe; the box office success or lack thereof; doing press tour in Europe; all of the references that appear throughout the film; a great bit that Yankovic lists the address for each of the locations they shot at; a larger discussion of the various actors appears in the film; discussions of the various deleted scenes or bits from the film; a few “surprise” guests; and much more. The track like the film and Yankovic’s songs is more of a comedic romp into the making of the film that alternates between true facts and comedic bits. Well worth listening to especially if you’re a Weird Al fan.
Retrospective Panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 (51:07) – the panel moderated by Jonah Ray with Weird Al is a great discussion/deep dive into the career and life of Yankovic. It isn’t so much a linear discussion as it is a free association discussion between two very quick-witted minds. Ray has been on record saying that Yankovic is one of his primary influences in his life (along with MST3K). Yankovic discusses how he goes about choosing the songs to parody; how long his contract (which at that time recently completed); and American Pie/Phantom Menace single came together based on rumors and internet hearsay at the time; Weird Al live shows and just how loud they are; the Funny or Die short (which eventually became WEIRD THE AL YANKOVIC STORY); and much more. If one hasn’t seen the panel, it’s a lively and fun discussion with the legend. Note there are quite a few audience questions so please understand these are as quality as such.
Behind-The-Scenes Footage (3:41) – a vintage EPK style featurette discussing the “Wheel of Fish” scene and game show in the way that only Weird Al does these types of great parodies.
Deleted Scenes (19:14) – hosted by Weird Al this again is another send-up of special features as only Al could do. Yes, there are deleted scenes, and alternate takes on specific moments, but Al manages to take the wind out of the sails of each of them with his “commentary” (in the best way possible). Some of the deleted/alternate scenes include a “love scene”; a bloodier version of the Food show; a news report scene; an extended “Secrets of the Universe” scene; and much more. Note the quality of the deleted scenes is not the greatest as it appears to be pulled off of a VHS rip.
UHF Music Video (4:32) – note that the video has been restored beautifully.
Still Gallery (15:21) – the gallery consists of 183 images that vary from production stills, behind-the-scenes photos, and more. You can navigate the gallery by using your next and back chapter stop buttons on your remote or let the gallery play automatically.
Poster Gallery (2:07) – the gallery consists of 25 pieces of poster and home video art from around the world. You can navigate the gallery by using your next and back chapter stop buttons on your remote or let the gallery play automatically.
Teaser (0:40)
Theatrical Trailer (1:27)
The Final Thought
Shout continues to bring us the best upgrades to 4K UHD, like UHF, with beautifully restored picture and sound, coupled with great extra features. Highest recommendations!!!
Shout Studios 4K UHD Edition of UHF is out July 2nd
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