Although this reviewer considered "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" to be highly overrated during its initial 1986 theatrical release, it's the kind of comedy that time has been good to.  Matthew Broderick stars as Ferris, a clever high-schooler determined to skip school to enjoy a beautiful sunny day in Chicago. Ferris has taken precautions to ensure his day off goes well, bringing his best friend, Cameron, who is actually home from school, due to being really ill, and his girlfriend, the beautiful Sloane(Mia Sara) along with him to make the most of his day.  The only real obstacle that may hinder the group's day of splendor, is Principal Rooney, a man going to extraordinary lengths to prove Ferris's "illness" is completely staged, and to end the compassion and concern, growing within the school and city for Ferris's apparent struggle with his health!
 
It's easy to understand why most high-schoolers and younger, will consider "FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF" to be great entertainment. That's a no-brainer. But, the film's ability, especially after not having originally liked it at all, to make the Cameron character more appealing, speaks well of its magic.  Underneath all of the film's over-the-top stabs at laughs, there are some more impressive "minor" ones, that will ring true with more discerning viewers. Perhaps one of the really great scenes in the film is the shortest, featuring a brief interlude between Bueller's sister and a very young Charlie Sheen!
 
"FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF" proves to be highly entertaining, more than two decades after its original release, and there's much in it worth discovering, whether seeing it for the first time, or re-watching it after many years. 
 
PARAMOUNT has provided the correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio for this 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 blu-ray release.  While looking notably better than any of the previous dvd offerings, the film's image is still hindered by less than artistic compositions. It certainly could've benefitted from remastering too, as various age defects pop up throughout, including scratches, and other defects. Grain is noticeable in most scenes, but never feeling intrusive. Colors are always solid, and sometimes even vibrant. Detail is impressive, varying in depth, depending on the given scene.  Some moments offer the jump-off-the-screen type of depth one hopes for with any film, let alone one from over twenty years ago. However, most of the film appears impressive but flat.
 
PARAMOUNT has provided a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix.  It's a fantastic mix! None of the previous mixes on dvd, home video or laserdisc, and even in theaters, have provided the kind of immersive, engaging experience offered here!  While the mix shines best when enhancing the terrific song selections, Hughes has always been great at utilizing in his films, it's also surprisingly effective in terms of newly recognizable ambient effects. A GREAT MIX, and ESPECIALLY GREAT, CONSIDERING THE FILM'S AGE!
 
PARAMOUNT has included over an hour of extras, mostly comprised of older and retrospective interviews with cast members commenting on their experience with the film, as well as a look at Ben Stein and the film's impact on his life, and stills.