Rushed into production to capitalize on the success of the first film, Wayne’s World 2 has a built-in audience, given its start as a skit on Saturday Night Live. While Wayne’s World 2 wasn’t as big a hit as the first film, it still made money, bringing in $72 million against a $30 million budget.
Picking up one year after the events of the first film, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) are now living with each other and doing their show out of a former doll factory. Wayne and Cassandra’s (Tia Carrere) relationship is still going well. Cassandra seems to be at the cusp of rock stardom, having caught the eye of Bobby Cahn (Christopher Walken). Unfortunately for Cassandra, Bobby is more interested in sabotaging her relationship with Wayne, rather than her music.
One night, Wayne has a dream that he meets with the spirit of Jim Morrison (Michael A. Nickles) who suggests that he put their town of Aurora on the map by organizing a large outdoor rock festival featuring big time bands (“If you book them, they will come,” Jim asserts). Determined, Wayne and Garth set out for England to hire the Del Preston (Ralph Brown) to help them secure big-time bands (Wayne suggests Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, and Van Halen) to play at the festival dubbed “Waynestock.” A series of distractions both personal and professional, stunt their progress. Wayne is jealous of the time Cassandra is spending with her producer, while Garth meets an older woman (Kim Basinger) who comes on to him at a laundromat, seemingly taking his virginity.
Wayne’s World 2 offers quite a few laughs, mostly riffing of gags established in the previous film. Co-written by Mike Meyers, the script is more polished. Penelope Spheeris, the director of the first film, stepped aside in favor of newcomer Stephen Surjik. The result is a film that expands the world Wayne and Garth operate in, offering more possibilities for humor. Some of the jokes do feel stale, which is likely why there has never been talk of a third film.
Fans of Wayne’s World are likely to delight in this second offering but may feel like the end of the movie is the right way to finish the franchise. The various gag distractions suggest that even Mike Meyers felt he had come to the end of Wayne and Garth’s adventures.
Kino has done some great work on their 4K releases, and Wayne’s World 2 is no different. The brand new HDR/Dolby Vision Master from a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is impressive. Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the image is clear and clean, devoid of any scratches or other anomalies. The Dolby Vision HDR results in bright colors and inky blacks. Though I’ve seen Wayne’s World 2 several times over the years, the level of detail is revelatory.
The DTS-HD soundtrack shines during the musical/concert scenes. Surrounds kick in nicely, and the level of bass is pleasing. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.
English subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- Audio commentary with Director Stephen Surjik
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- Audio commentary with Director Stephen Surjik
- Extreme Close-Up: Featurette (14:06)
- 6 US TV Spots
- 2 UK TV Spots
- Theatrical Trailer