Stand by Me (25th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]

Best and most favorite movie of all time, hands down. I have seen it more than my brothers have seen Star Wars, This film means that much to me and was a huge part of my child hood (80s kid). The characters are all too realistic and relate-able for those from defunct homes.This film has taken on so much meaning for me throughout life and I have related to it on many levels throughout the years.These kids were going through some very tough and even adult issues. The isolation Gordy felt at home and the alienation his father cast on him, making Gordy feel as though it should have been him who died because he didn't amount to his brother in his father's eyes. Chris being misjudged by everyone, the resentment he had for being his brother's brother instead of being considered an individual, and wanting to be a peacemaker... he wanted more for himself but wasn't confident that he would ever overcome being " just one of those low-life Chambers kids". I feel that was a huge bond for Chris and Gordy. They both felt compared to their brothers, and though Chris' brother wasn't dead, Chris still in a sense had "lost" his brother, being that Eyeball never had his back. Chris also had distance with his parents; the mother seems to have been absent and the father was an alcoholic. I feel Chris and Gordy really mirrored each other with their home life and connected on a deeper level separate from the other boys, and you see that deep connection in the woods when Chris cries, and then again at the end where Gordy is the one crying and Chris is the one comforting him. They have so many intimate moments where their bond shines, and they really did have a friendship beyond the realm of the group. Several scenes there are moments where they don't even have to say anything, they just look at each other with a knowing, and we all have a friend we've been able to do that with. You can almost communicate without speaking because you know what the other is thinking. That is something so intimate and powerful to have translate onto film. It came so naturally. There is a real deep and trusting love amongst brothers there.Chris had an old soul quality about him, which he clearly shows in his love for Gordy, saying he wished he was Gordy's dad so he could convince Gordy to aim higher, comforting Teddy when he broke down and became defensive of his abusive father, and keeping him from train dodging. I think Chris was trying to be the father to everyone else that he never had. Then there was Vern who got poked at and made fun of, just for being himself. His brother wasn't there for him either. He didn't get to have much of a voice, and probably felt invisible (much like Gordy, who felt invisible at home as well as "weird" for who he was) which has some irony to it, since he was teased for his size. Teddy was living with the reputation of his father pinned to him, and everyone knew his dirty laundry, which really paralleled Chris' situation. All of these kids were ghosts. Gordy and Chris ghosts of their brothers, Teddy of his father and Vern of himself. No wonder they were all so close. I find it to be relateable time and time again throughout the years with all of the heavy themes going on in this film.In the end, they all just wanted to be something, known for something great; something heroic. At home they were nobodies. Their true family, was each other.

In my very large collection of blu rays (possibly too large, given that the format will be gone in another 4 or 5 years), this stands out as one of half dozen titles that defined my childhood. I often wonder, had I never seen them as a youngster, how I would feel about certain films. I can say without question that this film would be as impactful now as it was when I viewed it through the eyes of innocence. The encapsulated childhood that Rob Reiner and Stephen King rendered in Stand By Me is almost unparalleled. Nearly every adult can view this film and completely relate to the content, the emotion, and the characters.Unlike The Goonies, Monster Squad, or any of the other great 80s kid adventures, this is a much more realistic, very adult story. Although it was an extremely popular theme throughout the 80s, this is not the 'lets get a group of kids together and let them have the ultimate kid adventure.' (again, ala goonies, space camp, the wizard, explorers, etc...) This film deals with the torments of youth; torn families, coming to terms with death, and, obviously, standing up for your fundamental beliefs even if you are clearly outmatched.The BD itself is quite wonderful. It has a marvelous picture-in-picture commentary with Rob, Wheaton, and Feldman. This isn't quite as spectacular as the Goonies picture-in-picture as the entire cast (obviously) could not be present. They share many, many memories from the set, their performances, some very poignant moments regarding River (you can see that his passing still affects them all very strongly), and even point out some very entertaining easter eggs and mistakes in the film.I couldn't recommend this film more for kids who are coming-of-age, or for adults who wish to shortly relive that time of misunderstood semi-adulthood.

I've watched this movie several times on network television over the years, so I was surprised it had an R rating, mostly for the language. I enjoyed watching the full version. The movie is based on Stephen King's novella, "The Body", with Richard Dreyfuss (the adult writer) recalling a childhood adventure (his journey with his friends to find the body of a missing boy) after one of the adult friends dies. The movie is filled with old classic songs, and I found myself singing to them when they played. The acting is superb.I think I enjoyed the commentary most of all. During the commentary, you will see Rob Reiner (the movie's director), Will Wheaton and Corey Feldman (who played Vern Tessio) discuss various scenes and the how they were filmed, the antics of the teens who made the movie, and what happened to the various actors after the making of the movie. Several times, you will see Rob Reiner shake his head when one of the adult actors would admit to doing something during the filming, saying he was glad he didn't know it at the time (for instance, which actor lost his virginity during the filming, which one went bar hopping and which actor got stoned -- and more). I also learned from the commentary that parts of the movie really are also based on Stephen King's experience as a child. For instance, the leech scene. During the commentary, I learned that Stephen King really did experience getting a leech on the same body part as Gordie Lachance (played byWill Wheaton). During the commentary, you will learn a lot more -- all of it fascinating.This unedited version might not be suitable for children, but this grandmother absolutely loved it.