Wild Things 4K UHD Review

 

• Director ‏ : ‎ John McNaughton
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Theresa Russell
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ 4K
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 55 minutes
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Arrow Video
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
• Release date ‏ : ‎ May 24, 2022

 

         Wild Things was edgy and controversial when it was released in the late 1990s, though it is fairly tame by today’s standards. Although the reasons Wild Things was successful on initial release don’t pack the same punch, it does hold up as a campy take on the film noir genre. There are more twists than the plot seems capable of containing, until it almost becomes predictable. Kevin Bacon called the screenplay "the trashiest thing he had ever read" before becoming an executive producer and agreeing to co-star, highlighting the way exploitative elements were celebrated from the beginning.

 

        Wild Things starts with a ridiculous scene in which Florida high school guidance counselor Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) gives an assembly to discuss sex crimes with a room of rambunctious students. The assembly is also attended by police detectives Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon) and his partner Gloria Perez (Daphne Rubin-Vega), who then coincidentally investigate Lombardo when wealthy student Kelly Lanier Van Ryan (Denise Richards) accuses him of sexual assault. Outcast student Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) also comes forward with accusations, leading to Lombardo losing his job and forced to defend himself in court.

 

        Duquette and Perez are suspicious of the accusations and begin investigating, leading to a series of twists and turns. Several characters stab each other in the back, frame each other, and use sexuality as a trap. This is likely why Wild Things is often lumped in with other neo noir crime films. Richards is an obvious femme fatale within the narrative, but not the only one. There are so many twists that credit scenes are used to fully explain the motivations and actions of those at the center of the narrative.

 

Wild Things is a fun and trashy film, never taking itself too seriously. At the same time, it is mild in regards to the film’s sex scenes, even if they were slightly edgy in the ‘90s. Surprisingly, it is Bacon who ends up showing the most skin, though Richards received plenty of attention for her scenes as the seductive teen. Even if Wild Things isn’t a classic, it was enough of a pop culture moment to inspire three direct-to-video sequels.

 

        The Arrow Films UHD limited edition box set release for Wild Things features a new 4K restoration and presentation of both the original theatrical version and the unrated cut taken from the original camera negatives. The 4K presentation is in Dolby Vision with the original uncompressed stereo audio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound.

 

        Along with the two versions of the film and special features on the disc, the Wild Things box set comes with an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anne Billson and Sean Hogan, as well as production stills and cast/crew info. Also in the package is a double-sided fold-out poster featuring the original one-sheet artwork on one side and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley. Both images are also on the reversible sleeve for the 4K disc. There are additional images on  

six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions also included.

 

        Additional special features on the disc include the following:

 

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

 

• Exclusive new audio commentary by director John McNaughton and producer Steven A. Jones

 

• Commentary by director John McNaughton, cinematographer Jeffrey Kimball, producers Steven A. Jones and Rodney Liber, editor Elena Maganini and score composer George S. Clinton

 

• Exclusive new interview with John McNaughton
  
  

• Exclusive new interview with Denise Richards
  
  

• Making of documentary

 

• An Understanding Lawyer outtakes

 

• Trailer

 

Entertainment Value: 7/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 6/10

Historical Significance:  6.5/10

Special Features: 9/10