Think of 1980s teen cinema. Chances are, you’ll be thinking of a film that the late, great John Hughes had a hand in. Whether he was directing, writing or producing, his presence could be felt across countless coming-of-age dramas in the 80s and 90s, and his influence lives on into young adult film, TV and literature to this day. In tribute to this immeasurable legacy, Paramount Home Entertainment have released a celebratory boxset combining five of Hughes’ most beloved projects.
Included in the set are: 1986’s Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 1987’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Some Kind of Wonderful, and finally, 1988’s She’s Having a Baby.
All five of the films in this set showcase Hughes at his best, delivering films full of heart and laughter. The first three films in the set need no introduction, but the final two – both making their Blu-ray debut in this set – are just as worthy of note. The underrated hidden gems might not have the legacy of the earlier films in the set, but are equally charming tales of self-discovery and love that are just as heart-warming as Hughes’ more iconic output, and downright wonderful little 80s films in their own right.
The five films’ transfers are inconsistent – Pretty in Pink’s recent 4K restoration absolutely shines on Blu-ray, while the dated masters of Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are a little underwhelming by today’s standards. But it is the quality of the films that counts here, and that quality is beyond measure. It goes without saying, the lesser-known films in the pack don’t quite reach the high standard of the more iconic films, but the overall feeling from a weekend spent with this boxset is one of sheer joy. Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy almost 500 minutes in the company of Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, Steve Martin, John Candy, Kevin Bacon, Jon Cryer, James Spader, Lea Thompson and the rest of your 1980s pals.
The John Hughes 5-Movie Collection is a treasure trove of wonderful films that remind us why John Hughes was the undisputed king of 1980s teen cinema.