There are films that often go unappreciated upon their initial release, only to be reevaluated down the road as something noteworthy and ahead of its time. Pump Up The Volume had an unspectacular debut upon its release in 1990, but its reputation has only grown as each subsequent generation discovers this gem for themselves. The film featured Christian Slater right after his early career-defining hit Heathers as he stepped into the heightened role of an incendiary host of a small-time pirate radio station program in a sleepy Phoenix, Arizona suburb. As was not not uncommon of the time, the concept of the film was big, but the themes behind the narrative were perfectly in-line with how young people were feeling, and seemingly continue to feel after all of these years. The film has the veneer of a forgettable teen comedy, but when you take the time to watch it, you will find a really dark edge that excoriates those in power who look to subjugate the unfortunate souls beneath them. A message as timeless as this coupled with some kickin’ tunes should have been enough to make this a box office behemoth.
Before you could build a following on social media, throw around your hot takes on YouTube or even host a podcast, it was difficult for the average person to make a dent in society without some major legwork and sheer force of will. This is what makes the outrageous local radio broadcast from “Hard Harry” or alternatively known “Happy Harry Hard-on” such a hot topic of conversation in this small Arizona community. The anonymous host takes cues from classic “shock jocks” who learned that pushing the boundaries of decency was a good tool to gain a following. His over-sexed, masterbatory persona lures people in with the ridiculous gags and underground tunes, but he hits hard with subversive critiques of society that elevate him to an almost mythical status among the student body who anxiously await a new broadcast every evening. He is a maverick who is not afraid to say what needs to be said, consequences be damned.
You would never guess that “Harry” was actually the incredibly introverted, unassuming high school student Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), newly transported from the East Coast to this forgettable little community seemingly without any kind of soul or identity to call its own. Mark actually has a lot in common with Laura Dern’s character from Smooth Talk, which I recently reviewed. Both have incredibly different personalities when they are away from their homes, and they both have issues with their parents. Mark is able to ascertain a lot of otherwise private information about the corruption in the local education system thanks to his father’s position of authority in said system. By making that information public, he creates chaos and a line of people clamoring to know his identity. Yet, the only one who can suss out that information is another outsider by the name of Nora Diniro (Samantha Mathis), who only wants to make sure Harry’s messaging is not silenced when things start hitting the fan. Mark may be a keyed up sex maniac on the airwaves, but his developing relationship with Nora takes him to a place that pushes him out of his comfort zone – for the better.
Christian Slater became something of a punchline for many years before reminding people he is a great actor in Mr. Robot. For my money, Pump Up The Volume is one of the strongest performances I have seen from him. In his dueling personas of Mark and Harry, you get a very nuanced take from young Slater who can feverishly oscillate between the two modes. The performance is magnetic, and it is the key to why this movie works so well. You also cannot find fault in newcomer Samantha Mathis in her first feature. Mathis is the type of performer who has been delivering great performances for thirty years without enough recognition. Besides the performances, the music is probably the next most essential piece of this film, as artists such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Camper Van Beethoven, Primal Scream, Soundgarden, Ice-T and so many more help establish this film as something special. These artists push back against society, and that is exactly what Mark is able to inspire others to do through his show. It’s the eternal struggle for the little guy to stay vigilant against the powers that be. Pump Up The Volume is a narratively rich film that resonates just as much today as it ever did. Words have the power to affect change if you use them correctly.
Video Quality
Pump Up The Volume gets a stellar upgrade on Blu-Ray courtesy of Warner Archive with a new 2021 1080p master. The transfer provides natural film grain absent of any compression artifacts or other such digital anomalies. This disc also wonderfully represents the various settings from the barren suburban sprawl that plagues Harry to his intricately decorated studio where the magic happens. There are elements in the production design that are easily visible for the first time ever on home entertainment. There are some nice, vibrant colors that make the film pop visually in an exciting way, especially in various outfits and the neon-splashed opening credits. Skin tones look natural, and the presentation offers up deep black levels. Warner Archive has provided a lovely transfer for a film that has long gone unappreciated since its initial release.
Audio Quality
Warner Archive brings this new Blu-Ray to consumers with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that is just as worthy of praise as the video presentation. The dialogue primarily stays within the center channel, but makes its way to the surround speakers when necessary, such as in a raucous high school setting. A climactic chase creates some notable environmental effects that give the track a bit of a kick. The heart and soul of the movie is the music within, everything from the memorable score from Cliff Martinez to the incredible soundtrack with songs such as “Everybody Knows” by Leonard Cohen and the coveted Beastie Boys track “The Scenario” bringing a real warm and dynamic sound to the presentation. This is a well-balanced track that gets the job done in a most admirable manner. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
- Trailer: The three-minute trailer is provided here which shows long stretches of several scenes and a bit too much of the overall story. It is effective nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
Pump Up The Volume is a slyly clever portrait of how important our words can be towards liberating ourselves from the oppression of those who do not have our best interests at heart. Christian Slater turns in a performance that is wild and hilarious, but also incredibly subtle when it needs to be. As relevant as the film is today, it is also simply a really fun movie filled with infectious tunes. Warner Archive has delivered this long-awaited Blu-Ray with the top-notch A/V presentation it deserves. Whether you are already a devotee to this film or open to learning about its charms, this one is a solid addition to any collection. Highly Recommended
Pump Up The Volume can be purchased directly through Warner Archive or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
