Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is THAT guy. The sportos, motorheads, geeks, bloods, waistoids, dweebies - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude. But, he's got a bit of a problem. It's the perfect day to ditch school, but he's already on his ninth sick day of the semester, so he better make this one count. Rather than stay home, Ferris plans a day out with his best friend, Cameron (Alan Ruck) and girlfriend, Sloan (Mia Sara). But first, he has to convince the straight-as-an-arrow Cameron, who really is sick, to help him get Sloan out of school, while also managing to stay one step ahead of principal Ed Rooney (Jeffery Jones), who has it out for Ferris.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a classic from the 80's and, at least in my view, the king of the "buddy road trip" movies. The writing is spot-on and manages to remain funny without completely dating itself. We all know a Ferris (or are a Ferris), so even if you didn't grow up in the 80's, the situations are still relatable and funny. It's jam-packed with classic movie scenes, like Ben Stein's deadpan performance as Ferris's teacher ("Bueller... Bueller...") and Rooney's endless cat and mouse game with the one student he can't seem to control. Ferris's constant breaking of the fourth wall adds a personal touch that lets viewers feel like they're part of the story. Best of all, no scene goes wasted and always keeps the story going forward.
The three main characters feature distinct personalities and their group chemistry is fantastic. Broderick is the star of the show, but without the other two, his character wouldn't work as well. Even though the movie is about Ferris, I've always thought that it was Cameron's movie. He's the emotional core of the entire film and, thanks to Ferris, has the most to gain from a day off.
The Bueller... Bueller... Edition comes with a few special features, though none are particular stand-outs. The highlight of the group is "Getting the Class Together," a thirty-minute retrospective look at the film featuring both old and new interviews with the cast. This is accompanied by a short "Making of..." feature and "Vintage Ferris Bueller." Both offer vintage and retrospective interviews that help fill in any gaps left by the first feature. "Who is Ferris Bueller?" is a short look at what makes Ferris such an iconic figure, while "The World According to Ben Stein" offers Ben Stein's take on the film.
Though not one of the most visual of movies, the Blu-ray transfer is great. There are a few minor spots and scratches, mainly due to the film's age, but overall, this is one of the sharpest versions of the film available. While this may not be enough to warrant a repurchase, if you want the best available version, this is it. If you don't own it, this a great opportunity to add a classic film to your collection.
