10 Things I Hate About You, Vol. 1 DVD: Review By Dodd

The teen subgenre is probably one of my favorites. How can it not be? When I spent my high school years enjoying the teen boom that consisted of American Pie, 10 Things I Hate About You, and and Cruel Intentions, I get a sense of nostalgia when I watch an escapist tale about the dramas of high school. My concern today is that teen stories have little hope. I can only assume that most stories consist of youths shooting dead stares at their cell phones as they text with their cold thumbs. It is nice to see a teen-centric program that focuses on characters that do not act dumb because it is the expected behavior norm. Perhaps this is why I find the new series 10 Things I Hate About You refreshing.

The film itself from the late 90's was an adaptation of Taming of the Shrew and was surprisingly good as its strong female lead was one by the name of Kat. Kat is an anti-popular bad girl who adamantly rejects the conformist ways at her high school institution. The series pilot basically establishes the same characters from the film. There is Kat (Lindsey Shaw), her wannabe conformist sister Bianca (Meaghan Martin), the dweeby, lovelorn Cameron (Nicholas Braun), and biker bad boy Patrick (Ethan Peck, originally played in the film by Heath Ledger). The series essentially stretches out the conundrums of these character from episode to episode without the neat, ribbon-tied ending.

I am not one for remakes, and I am really not into the teeny-bopper shows that ABC Family airs and has the gall to identify as "family-oriented". After sampling 10 Things, I have to give it my blessing. The original film was refreshing to see because it dared to side with the smart, anti-establishment kids, and the series does the same thing. It does not pretend, as many shows do, that the popular, beautiful teens are the normal ones who walk around acting nice to everyone. Because, let's face it, if you've been in high school you know those kids do not have souls.

This whole rebellious spirit is particularly embraced by Kat. Lindsey Shaw is a very worthy substitute for the late Julia Stiles (no wait, I just confirmed she is still living). The situations that the characters encounter in this show are rather exaggerated, but probably come closer than many other options on television right now. Take for example the school principal who sides with the dumb cheerleader rather than Kat after an altercation due to status favoritism. It is also worth noting that Larry Miller, the only returning cast member from the film, brings just the right moments of humor as Kat and Bianca's overprotective OBGYN father who has delivered for one too many pregnant teens.

The special features on the DVD are acceptable, but not great. There are commentary tracks available on select episodes. There are also a couple of exclusive featurettes. The most interesting one (although this could be better) features interviews of the cast going through lists of things they hate. The other brief feaqturette appears to be something that aired during commercials on ABC Family in which Kat and Bianca take viewers on the set of the new series.

The DVD also includes bloopers and the pilot episode for the other recent new series, Make It or Break It.

The look of the show is very vibrant and crisp, which is expected and fitting for a perky show about teens. At least it is not too over-the-top ADD like other teen programs.

The series contains similar guitar-heavy, power-pop ditties that were included in the film. This includes the song "I Want You to Love Me".

I am not entirely sure if this is the first season or the first half of the first season. Either way, the episodes are on two discs that come in a handy, space-saving single DVD case. The principle cast members are pictures on the front cover.

There is a lot of crap out there on television for teenie boppers. Just look at the Disney Channel. Considering that fact that ABC Family is Disney-owned, I kind of expected more sugary-sweet crap with no moral backbone. 10 Things I Hate About You is anything but, and I condone it for trying to write a story rather than lazy, mind-numbing stimuli. I think fans of the show should give it a purchase, and anyone unfamiliar with the premise should give it a look on Netflix.

Dodd Alley

dodd@movieweb.com