It's purported that writer/director John Hughes sent his son's script for "NEW PORT SOUTH" to Disney "without" the "Hughes" name on it, and the studio thought it was good enough to produce. Well, "NEW PORT SOUTH" isn't bad, but it does make one question what "better" scripts are still out there.  The script offers considerably less humor than found in the "senior" Hughes films.  But, there's still plenty of rebellious attitude found in the central high school characters of the film.

The film never achieves the "thriller" suspense it aspires to, and it's due to so much predictability throughout the film.  When a student seeks to uncover what really happened to a student whom previously rebelled against an overbearing faculty, we're supposed to care.  Unfortunately, there's little offered in character development to make the youths depicted either realistic or sympathetic.  The way in which the school is presented with a prison-like structure, comes off heavy-handed and plain dumb! The kids come off more as spoiled than as abused, and the fact that none of them seek advice from a parent, is a little more than aggrivating! 

The "surprise" ending may actually surprise some viewers, but it doesn't make up for the rest of the film. 

The transfer isn't bad, but it's not up to the standards so often achieved by BVHE. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio is intact with 16:9 enhancement.  The color values often dull looking.  The image is generally adequate in spite of a few soft spots. Fleshtones appear natural.

BUENA VISTA has included both a Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 mix.  Actual  rear speaker effects are used minimally, however, there's an ambience that permeates through them in many scenes.  The front soundstage is fairly active, offering a multitude of directional effects and clear dialogue.  The differences between the Dolby Digital and DTS mix is subtle, although the DTS offers a bit more kick.