I have loved
Stand by Me since the day I saw it on opening day and what's not to love about it? It's probably one of my all time favorite 'Road Trip' films. Most people wouldn't think to call it that because no cars are involved in the kids getting from Point A to Point B, but it is definitely a Road Trip flick. The story itself is pretty simple in its setup of the gang of four setting out to go find and see a dead body. The script really doesn't have any weak spots at all and what I love most about this one in particular is that over the course of time we get to learn a little about each character and what their relationship is toward each other in what is the epitome of a coming-of-age story.
The cast is
Ace's in my book. Pun intended. It's a who's who of actors with
Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, Corey Feldman, John Cusack, Casey Siemaszko and
Kiefer Sutherland as
Ace. They even got it right in casting
Richard Dreyfuss as the older
Gordie.
Dreyfuss' narration is pitch perfect in this one. I actually hold the narration of
Stand By Me in high regards and is on par with
The Shawshank Redemption when it comes to the Best Ever when casting the perfect voice to tell a story. So many iconic scenes can be found throughout this one: Leeches, Train Race, Campfire, Pie-eating Contest. The list goes on and on. Props to
Rob Reiner for his casting choice and doing such a great job putting the film together.
Speaking of iconic scenes, how f*cking awesome was
Jerry during his escape from the Train? Go back and watch the scene again and look at the terror on his face as he runs for his life. What makes this scene my all time favorite in the movie is that they never were being threatened by a locomotive, obviously. Now THAT's acting my friend!
Jerry in the rest of the movie was just as awesome too. Not bad for a film debut huh?
This movie was a timeless classic the moment I walked out of the theater that day. I knew that this one would become one for the ages and I am not wrong in that assessment. What I didn't foresee was that so many of the actors would go onto bigger and better things in their respective careers. I highly recommend this as a
Buy. It's one of the few DVD's I will never sell. Ever. Also, fantastic soundtrack that I still find myself playing on occasion, with the best of course being the title track by
Ben E, King.
If anyone disagrees with me and my views on how amazing Stand By Me is, well, you can 'Suck my fat one, you cheap dime-store hood'.
