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Heathers [1988]


RRP: £5.99
Our Price: £2.85 (subject to change)

Editorial
Synopsis

The Westerburg High School has an elite quartet called the 'Heathers' which consists of three girls called Heather and one called Veronica who pick on the weak and less fortunate. One day Veronica becomes tired of the 'Heathers' and goes off with the male school bully Jason Dean and together they plan the demise of the remaining trio.


Not quite what it's cracked up to be, but still very good
Review date: 2008-08-22 Rating: 8 out of 10


Lots of people warmed to Heathers when it first came out in 1988 simply because it was original. It was the first super-witty, shocking and hilarious high school black-comedy. Since, we've had numerous other films of the same genre that are, admittedly, better.

What I'm trying to say, in the nicest way possible -even though it sounds harsh- is that Heathers is simply out-dated. I know that the original films of every genre are usually the best, but not in this case. Over the years, screen-writers have learned from other films- either from their mistakes or from their successes. Therefore, even though Heathers was really witty and shocking on its 1988 release, we have to accept that -like everything- now the genre has adapted, it has become even more witty, even more shocking and even more hilarious than ever!

Still, this doesn't stop you enjoying Heathers as much as people did 20 years ago. Winona Rider and Christian Slater play the two leads as they begin to kill off all the 'popular' kids in school, due to their arrogant, nasty and domineering behavior towards everyone else- then covering their tracks by forging false suicide notes. The acting is good all round, and I was pleased to see that the direction was some-what 'adventurous' for a mid 80s film.

Like another reviewer mentioned, it's fun seeing some of the wild 80s outfits and hairstyles, and also listening to some of the 'cool' dialogue and insults... but the fun stops there. As soon as Rider and Slater get mid way through their killing spree, everything takes a turn for the ridiculous. It seemed that the writers had the idea, but didn't know where to take it. Therefore, as the film races towards its finale, it gets a bit lost- I thought the second half, while no doubt being fun, was slightly under-whelming considering its fantastic build up.

Yea, Heathers is a classic, and at this price it's hard to resist! If you are a fan, and fancy something similar, but a bit more modern, I recommend `Pretty Persuasion'.



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Reviews


Excellent
Review date: 2007-12-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Heathers is one of the greatest teen comedies of all time, if not the greatest. It takes a satirical poke at all other teen comedies (John Hughes in particular) by looking at all the sterotyped characters that we've come to know and love (or despise). Then JD and Veronica (Slater and Ryder) start killing off all of the cliched characters and forging suicide notes for them.
The dialogue is snappy and incredibly witty. Although some of the fashions now look a bit dated, this is the teen comedy by which all others should be judged.
A classic.

"I drank what!" Socrates
Review date: 2006-10-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

Veronica (Winona Ryder) wants to be associated with the most powerful clique in school called The Heathers; however she is persuaded that there are more fun ways to get ahead by a mysterious young man JD (Christian Slater) who helps even the odds; JD's methods of culling the pack may be a tad extreme but not by today's standards.

Winona, who plays Veronica, says this is a comedy about a serious matter. And she is probably correct. However I was watching the surface action and it did not take the time to think about any underlying meanings. I had no idea that Moby Dick does not contain the word "Eskimo." I was surprised as the different events took shape and can see myself in that situation. I had fun watching this movie.

I did not relate this film, to my high-school days; as with C rations. C Rations before 1955 contained only one box meal with fruit. That was the ham and Lima beans box. During high school and 60's, we were lucky to have one "Heather" to a class. Now in the time of MRE's (meal ready to eat), Heathers abound in the class room. This requires the JD's of the world to once again bringing natural balance the high-school society by eliminating excess Heathers.

Bring your popcorn and beware of what you drink.


very funny
Review date: 2006-09-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Im biased because this is my favourite film. I was nerdy in school and the popular kids seemed so free and happy and i longed to be included. Then i saw this, it completely explodes the myth about popularity. The charachters are in competition with each other and are not really friends.They are forced into difficult situations like sleeping with older boys to maintain their image of sophistication and maturity. They bully each other far more than they bully the nerdy charachters.
I had absolutely no idea that this was what their lives were really like. This film made me look more closely into the lives of the popular girls and i found out that this film is an accurate portrayal of high status teens.In fact, its a milder version of what really goes on.
obviously, nobody is really that witty and killing is rare, but if you were bullied in school and feel like an eternal victim this may change your perspective like it did mine. I now think that being an outsider, rather than being a curse, was a lucky escape.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Winona Ryder
Shannen Doherty
Christian Slater

Creators:
Winona Ryder (Primary Contributor)
Christian Slater (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Starz Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Starz Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060020700194
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-28
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1988
Language: English (Original Language)

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