With the slew of "serial killer" films to come out in the past 15 years, it's a welcome surprise to find that "The Boys Next Door" is much more intelligent, chilling, and ultimately, entertaining than one would first suspect.  ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT has done a tremendous job with this release, offering a wonderful looking and sounding presentation, as well as offering a commentary track with the film's director and one of the co-stars.

Writers Glen Morgan and James Wong, now responsible for some of the best "X-files" episodes, wrote the script for "BOYS NEXT DOOR" when they were still in their late teens.  It's fun to go back in time and find that these talented writers "always
 had a knack for great writing!  What could have easily been a schlocky serial-killer film became a provocative thriller, succeeding in throwing the audience off guard for most of the film.  Charlie Sheen and Maxwell Caulfield portray two adolescents, whom seem like your everyday all-american "boys next door".  Unfortunately for the innocent people they come into contact with, they're evil, sociopaths, who are becoming increasingly amused by their killings.  It's to the writer's credit that the film remains largely unpredictable, at least until the film's final minutes, where things seem to be coming too much together for a routine conclusion.  The acting is terrific and the casting is excellent.  Even the smallest roles are completely convincing.  The film succeeds on many levels.  Of course it's a good thriller, but it's also a great look at high school, and in a way that's never really been done before or since. 

ANCHOR BAY has provided a sensational transfer for this release.  The film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio is intact with 16:9 enhancement.  The picture is flawless!  The solid colors are apparent in the film's opening images.  Part of this scene is dark, lit only by flares that the two pranksters have placed strategically as they graffiti a chalk background on school property.  In this scene, we can easily recognize the blacks and grays are extremely deep.  Also, the fleshtones are perfect and colors appear bright, but natural.  There's no oversaturation or hint of grain!  A perfect transfer.

The film's original monaural soundtrack is offered, and this too, is impressive!  It sounds terrific!  It appears to have better fidelity than practically any monaural track we've heard on dvd.  The music is an essential part to the film, and in the opening credits, the bass becomes ominous, adding a great deal to the film's intentionally, uncomfortable atmosphere.  The monaural track appears "stereo".

ANCHOR BAY has provided a terrific running commentary for this release featuring Caulfied and Spheeris.  It's obvious from the start that these two respect each other, and they have great, vivid memories of various incidents behind the film's production that never seem dull.  They're both candid as well, offering much insight into their careers as well as stumbling blocks.  There's also a decent amount of engaging namedropping.  Shortly after the film begins, Spheeris mentions she was just hanging out with Nicolas Cage and that he regretted not being in the film.

The original theatrical trailer is included as well as some "in-depth" bios of Spheeris and the two leads.  Again, even here, Caulfield is brutally frank about his brief stardom and sudden downfall.