Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Casey Siemaszko, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cusack
Written By: Stephen King (novel) Raynold Gideon (screenplay)
Directed By: Rob Reiner
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Buy on Amazon.com link

Stand By Me is a movie where I’ve seen the whole movie, but not from start to finish. I’d always catch it on TV in the middle, end, etc. But now there’s a deluxe edition DVD for people to enjoy.

If you don’t know what Stand By Me is about, it’s based on a Stephen King story called “The Body.” I guess the title “Stand By Me” is a more appealing title than “The Body.” The story revolves around 4 friends trying to find a dead body so they can be famous and be in all the papers. I think there is reward money for discovery of the body as well. The group consists of Gordie (Wil Wheaton), a sensitive writer who’s mourning his older dead brother. Chris (River Phoenix), the tough guy of the group with a hoodlum older brother. Teddy (Corey Feldman), a wiseass who’s kind of an angry mental kid. and then there’s Vern (Jerry O’Connell), the wimp and chubby kid of the group. Together they make the trek to find the dead body and try to find it before the local gang claims it for themselves. Members of the local gang were the ones who discovered the body, but they tell the gang’s leader (Kiefer Sutherland) about it and he wants to get all the credit.

Stand By Me is the ultimate friend bonding movie. 4 different types of kids coming together and enjoying the time together. Like searching for some kid’s dead body haha. It’s a little morbid to be honest. I wouldn’t want to be looking for a dead body. I’d probably have nightmares my whole life. I’d rather build a fort or go sneaking in the girls bathroom. Which is what I did when I was younger but let’s not go there ha. All the stuff that happens to them along the way just seems to fit with the type of stuff kids go through on ventures like this. Like dealing with bullies, getting chased by dogs, near death experiences and stuff like getting leaches on you. Mostly every kid has dealt with one of those of things when growing up. If not, you’re very sheltered. I think what helps the movie out a lot is the acting of the 4 kids. Each one makes the character believable and all of them had to act out some pretty emotional scenes too. Not every child actor can do that.

I read in other places that this DVD is pretty much like an earlier version, but now it includes 8 song CD of the original soundtrack, and a 32 page booklet. Not very deluxe when you think about it. The booklet has press kits on most of the actors in the movie, the director Rob Reiner, and also has a bunch of photos of the movie. The CD contains songs from Buddy Holly, Dell Vikings, Coasters and more. I think I like every song on there except that annoying Lollipop song. Can’t stand that song! Other DVD extras include Rob Reiner audio commentary, a music video by Ben E King, featuring River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton lip syncing really badly to the song. Plus a pretty good Featurette called “Walking The Tracks: The Summer of Stand By Me.” It has interviews with cast, the director, author Stephen King and others. It was a fairly decent and covered a lot of ground. Rob Reiner was the main one talking throughout but Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Jerry O Connell also provide their thoughts on things. Kiefer even appears and talks about his bully character. Kiefer looked like he was partying pretty heavy the night. Check out the bags under his eyes!

Stand By Me is a classic movie that people will enjoy for years. This DVD isn’t very Deluxe since it’s almost the same version as the one released in 2002, but now there’s a CD and booklet included. Could have been more in the extras department, but what? I don’t know. Maybe some deleted scenes and outtakes. I’m sure the kids fucked up their lines at some point. But if you don’t own this movie on DVD yet, this is the version to get.

Features:
-Director Rob Reiner’s Commentary
-Exclusive Featurette: Walking The Tracks: The Summer Of Stand By Me
-Ben E. King Music Video
-Isolated Music Score
-Filmographies
-Exclusive Collectible 32 Page Booklet and Music CD.

Audio:
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Stereo CC
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Stereo
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo
PORTUGUESE: Dolby Digital Stereo

Video:
Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic)

Subtitles:
English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai

Favorite Scenes: Pie eating contest, TRAIN!!!!
Rating: R
Running Time: 88 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: