Mallrats (1995) [Arrow 4K UHD review]

Mallrats hit theaters way faster than I remember following Clerks’ debut. While it serve as many Kevin Smith’s first bow into his work, I always found myself more partial to Clerks in the long run. Which is weird when you consider how much Clerks 2 and Clerks 3 ended up taking its cues from Mallrats. Hell, most of the later View Askew movies outside of Chasing Amy found their style here. That doesn’t mean much other than a self professed student of Richard Linklater being more of the John Hughes brand.

Give the kids a brief background on Mallrats

The 1990s was a playground for indie comedies, marking a clear departure from the ’80s mainstream humor. Few directors exemplify this era better than Kevin Smith, the mastermind behind the cult classic Mallrats – an independent comedy that sneers at convention with its delightfully irreverent humor. Now presented in 4K UHD, Mallrats offers fans an opportunity to relive Smith’s 90s nostalgia with greater visual clarity and fidelity.

A microcosm of teenage life set in a suburban mall, Mallrats tells the story of two heartbroken slackers, T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) and Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee). After being dumped by their respective girlfriends, they find solace in their local shopping center. What follows is a hilarious day-long escapade filled with comic books, confrontations, game shows, and an array of eccentric characters.

Let’s talk about that 4K UHD from Arrow Video

Right off the bat, Mallrats distinguishes itself as a tribute to the teenage genre, but it’s one that’s definitely crafted with Smith’s unique brand of humor. The film’s charm resides in its nostalgic homage to the ’90s, as it paints a vivid image of teenage ennui, obsession with pop culture, and the seemingly significant minutiae of life. The 4K UHD enhancement makes the experience even more immersive, with brighter colors, sharper images, and a heightened overall visual impact that truly takes you back to the grunge-era.

Kevin Smith’s films are synonymous with razor-sharp, snappy dialogues, and Mallrats is no exception. The enhanced audio quality in this 4K UHD version allows for a more robust appreciation of Smith’s memorable script. Each sarcastic quip, clever reference, and outrageous comment lands with enhanced clarity, creating a thoroughly enjoyable audio-visual experience.

Cult movies for a deep video age

Kevin Smith made cult movies at the last possible instance of them being made unironically. Now, all cult films are either unintentional comedies that get laughed at by Gen Z kids. The second option is they are underseen movies swallowed by the grand sea of viewing options. Then, you get to hear stupid people act like they discovered something they ignored for ages and multiple expensive marketing campaigns.

For the longest time, Mallrats was my favorite View Askew movie. Mainly, because it was the most loving homage to the John Hughes era, but with Smith’s sensibilities. Eventually, I returned firmly to the Clerks camp and never left. I can appreciate everything even Jersey Girl, but I feel Smith works better when he’s earnest and less comedic.

‘Mallrats’ also serves as a seminal work in the ‘View Askewniverse’, the shared universe where most of Smith’s films take place. This 4K UHD version sharpens the connections and references to Smith’s other works, making it a delightful watch for seasoned fans. The inclusion of Smith’s recurring characters, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith himself), further underscores its significance within this interconnected cinematic world.

A skateboarding star is born

Jason Lee started in Sonic Youth videos. Going up against Adam Sandler and others for the role of Brodie Bruce, he beat the odds. Especially since it seemed like the producers were casting whomever they wanted in key roles. We were a hair away from Steven Zahn stinkpalming people. I want that to stick in your brain for a moment.

There’s nothing much to this other than I think Jason Lee is great and I want a real conclusion to My Name is Earl. Make Joy into a Disney Princess!

Let’s talk about the Arrow 4K UHD

The real allure of ‘Mallrats’ is its nod to the classic teen movies of the ’80s and ’90s, interlaced with Smith’s unique, irreverent humor. It is this intermingling of homage and parody that sets it apart in the realm of ’90s indie comedy. Furthermore, the film’s portrayal of the quintessential ’90s culture – comic books, arcades, and the local mall – adds to its lasting appeal. The 4K UHD upgrade simply accentuates these nuances, providing a richer viewing experience.

The 4K UHD version of ‘Mallrats’ is a visually enhanced dive back into the iconic ’90s culture. Its sharp dialogue, memorable characters, nostalgic soundtrack, and an engaging storyline remain as compelling as ever, making it a must-watch for Kevin Smith fans and lovers of indie comedies alike. The teen movie homage is handled with Smith’s characteristic blend of humor and heart, making ‘Mallrats’ a timeless representation of its era. This new release is not just a film, but a vibrant journey back to a simpler time – a time of youth, comic books, and the magic of malls.

The Mallrats 4K UHD special features and A/V breakdown

• The 2160p transfer is amazing on the theatrical cut, but the extended/TV cut holds up well too.
• The special features range from the archival materials to brand-new 4K restorations on both cuts.
• Honestly, a lot of the special features will look the same to people that keep buying everything Kevin Smith.
• However, the stunning transfer and robust DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track is why you buy it.
• By the way, why won’t Universal allow outside labels to have Dolby Atmos tracks? It can be done! Blue Underground does it all the time.

I’d recommend a purchase. But, you probably missed out on the Magic Eye Cover from the Arrow Store by the time you read this.

Mallrats is now available on Arrow 4K UHD