Filmmaker Kevin Smith, known for his witty dialogue and eccentric characters, takes us on a nostalgic ride back to the summer of 1986 with The 4:30 Movie, an earnest coming-of-age comedy that centers around three sixteen-year-old friends—Brian, Burny, and Belly—who spend their Saturdays sneaking into the local multiplex. Smith beautifully captures the essence of adolescence by combining humor with heartfelt moments that resonate deeply with those familiar with the joys and trials of youth.

Set over a single, uneventful day, the story seamlessly intertwines the excitement of teenage camaraderie with a tender exploration of personal growth. When Brian (Austin Zajur, The Fallout) decides to invite Melody (Siena Agudong, “Resident Evil”), the girl of his dreams, to see the latest comedy with his boys, the group’s dynamic suddenly shifts. This leads to a series of mishaps and revelations that ultimately teaches each of them valuable lessons about life and love. Zajur, Cirillo, and Northrup bring their characters to life with a wonderful authenticity, while Agudong shines as the charming and confident Melody. The entire thing is dependent on their chemistry, and our nerdy teens absolutely nail it.

The 4:30 Movie is a sweet homage to the films of the '80s, echoing the heart and soul of a John Hughes film – only quirkier, with a touch of Spielberg’s introspective storytelling in The Fabelmans. Yet, Smith carves his own path, infusing the film with his unique voice and vision. Smith fans who have become disillusioned by his mid-career work will find The 4:30 Movie a refreshing return to form, reminiscent of the sincerity and benevolence of his acclaimed Chasing Amy from 1997.

Sure, some of the humor doesn’t always hit, particularly the recurring crude jokes (though harmless) and Ken Jeong’s boisterous, over-the-top portrayal of Manager Mike who is always hell-bent on banning the boys from the theater. But the film's heart remains intact, as Smith skillfully balances his own brand of comedy with poignant reflections.

Most enjoyable, however, are the recurring references to things that will never happen in future sequels (while the audience knows they actually do), the numerous unexpected cameos, and hilarious fake trailers (Sister Sugar Walls) and movies that poke fun at B-movies of the era. And the Smith detractors may be happy to learn that no “View Askewniverse” characters make appearances.

The 4:30 Movie realizes its biggest success with its genuine reflection of Smith's own childhood experiences. The film's portrayal of nerdy teens causing trouble, navigating dating, and getting banned from theaters feels like it comes from a place close to his heart. This authenticity and approachability make it Smith's most accessible work in years, appealing to long-time fans and new viewers alike.

The 4:30 Movie is more than just a nostalgic trip; it's a heartfelt celebration of youth, friendship, and the magic of cinema. For those eager to see Smith return to his roots, this film is a delightful reminder of why we fell in love with his storytelling in the first place.

Amazon Exclusive SteelBook / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital

Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate
Available on Blu-ray - November 5, 2024
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH; Spanish
Video: 4K (2160p)
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

Lionsgate teams up with Saban Films to bring us Kevin Smith's nostalgic trip back to the '80s in hi-def with the 4K UltraHD + Blu-ray + Digital Amazon Exclusive Steelbook Edition of The 4:30 Movie.

Fans of steelbooks may even have something to like with the metal case that is made to resemble an old VHS tape, complete with a "Be Kind Please Rewinds sticker on it. It all comes wrapped in a plastic slipcover with matching artwork.

VIDEO

There are film grain lovers and there are film grain haters. And that's okay. To each his own. However, there's one side to this age-old argument I'll never get. Those who expect there to be no grain when a movie is shot on film. Film has grain - that's just the way it is. No getting around it. Putting an old film on 4K UHD does not, and should not mean that there will be no grain. In this old geezer's opinion, a film on physical media should as closely match the original film version as possible. Hi-def physical media's job is not to display spotless, grain-free clean-ups of old films.

But what about when a new film shot on digital cameras is altered in post production by adding grain to mimic film? That's the case with The 4:30 Movie. Best we can tell (there's not a whole lot out there about it), The 4:30 Movie was indeed shot digitally, but there's no denying that there's an added heavy grain effect. Again, I'm going to fall back on old-timers logic and agree with Smith who clearly added grain to make the movie look as if it was shot on film back in the '80s.

While there are going to be many who hate the look and feel afforded by the added effect, it's difficult to deny that it looks EXACTLY like a film shot in the '80s, which was Smith's intention.

He is also on the record as having added a somewhat bleached-out glow to the look of the film which is sure to draw the ire of detractors who buy the 4K UHD format for its perfectly crisp visuals and HDR-enhanced sharpness. Well, you aren't going to get that with this one. What you will get however, is a film set in the '80s that looks like a film shot in the '80s.

Having said that, there's really no need for this film to exist in the 2160p format, or HDR10 and Dolby Atmos encoding, as sharpness and clarity are not what we're after with a film like this. So, in that regard, sure, you really don't get much by upgrading to the 4K UHD format. The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital edition will suffice. But with that, you won't get the sweet steelbook made to look like an old VHS tape, and you will be missing out.

AUDIO

Running counter to his own intentions of making it look and feel like an '80s film, are the modern Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 tracks. While all audio is crisp and sharp throughout, there's really very little here to justify the value of the Atmos track. While some of the music does activate the surrounds and heights from time to time, it's mostly front-centered dialogue and side-to-side occasional effects. A solid track, no doubt, but one that doesn't benefit from atmospherics.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• Audio commentary with filmmaker Kevin Smith

Special Features:

There's not a lot here. In addition to a Smith audio commentary, there's a short making-of featurette and a theatrical trailer. Hardly enough for a Steelbok exclusive edition.

• Going Home Again: Making The 4:30 Movie
• Theatrical Trailer

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 87 mins
Director: Kevin Smith
Writer: Kevin Smith
Cast: Siena Agudong; Austin Zajur; Kate Micucci
Genre: Comedy
Tagline: When real life sucks, REEL life rules!
Memorable Movie Quote: "Cool! I'll see you at the 4:30 movie Melody Barnegat"
Theatrical Distributor: Saban Films
Official Site:
Release Date: August 24, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: A group of teens in the 1980s spend the day theater-hopping.