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Any fan of comedy, music, or Saturday Night Live has probably seen the movie “Wayne’s World.” Based on the SNL sketch of the same name, this 1992 film is a classic comedy following Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), two best friends with their own late-night public access TV show. After getting noticed by a TV producer, played to perfection by Rob Lowe, Wayne and Garth must navigate the perils of commercialism while still trying to stay true to themselves and their fans. This movie was hilarious when it first came out, and it still stands the test of time today. Here are a few reasons why it is still a classic comedy, over 25 years after its initial release.
The Costumes
From Garth's Aerosmith T-shirts and plaid flannels to Cassandra’s (Tia Carrere) tight-fitted rock outfits, each character wears a costume that perfectly represents their identity. Perhaps no piece is more iconic than Wayne's hat. The black hat features the “Wayne’s World” logo and is rarely seen off of Wayne's head. Its simple black and white look, combined with Wayne’s plain black shirt and jeans, tell you all you need to know about him. It’s clear that Wayne isn’t focused on money or outward appearances, just about making his show and being wholly himself. In fact, Wayne’s outfit is a great one to imitate for Halloween. You can also grab a friend to dress as Garth, and you’ll both be ready to party on!
The Cameos
SNL is famous for its celebrity cameos, so it makes sense that this SNL-based movie would be chock-full of them, too. Appearances by the likes of Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, and Robert Patrick in a reprisal of his role as the T1000 from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” are sprinkled throughout the film with great comedic impact. Perhaps the most memorable cameo, however, is from Alice Cooper. Wayne and Garth receive tickets to one of his concerts, and upon meeting him backstage, immediately fall to their knees proclaiming, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” This moment is one of the highlights of the movie, and it was made possible by Cooper’s willingness to appear in the film. It is hard to imagine the movie featuring any other artist.
Pop Culture References
“Wayne’s World” is like a time capsule; there are so many pop culture references that current viewers are reminded of the unique cultural environment of the early ‘90s. When Wayne and his friends are driving around Aurora, they pull up next to a fancy limo and ask for some Grey Poupon—a reference to a popular commercial at the time. Wayne also repeatedly references different musicians, including Elvis, Cheap Trick, and Ted Nugent. There is even a bit where Wayne and Garth recreate the iconic “Laverne and Shirley” opening sequence. These references are often subtle, but offer new moments of discovery and humor every time you watch the film.
The Music
It's impossible to talk about “ Wayne's World” without mentioning the music of the film. After all, Wayne, Garth, and all of their friends are huge metalheads and spend a lot of their time talking about music or going to concerts. Due to this, the movie boasts an impressive soundtrack. From "Foxy Lady" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience to Cassandra’s rendition of The Sweet’s "Ballroom Blitz," the movie feels like a nonstop rock concert. No music in the movie is more memorable, of course, than the use of the iconic Queen song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” When Wayne and his friends are jamming to it in their car, it feels like you’re watching pure joy, and this scene resonated with many people who watched it. After all, who hasn’t danced to a great song in their car with their friends? In fact, the movie is often credited as being a major factor in Queen’s resurgence in popularity in the States, and the song reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts shortly after the film’s release.
After 25 years, it’s clear that “Wayne's World” is still comedy gold. There’s just something so special and authentic about the youthful exuberance of Wayne and Garth that so many people can relate to. The characters created by Myers and Carvey are truly iconic and it’s obvious they will continue to be loved for years and years to come.
25 Years Later, Wayne's World is Still Comedy Gold
Any fan of comedy, music, or Saturday Night Live has probably seen the movie “ Wayne’s World.” Based on the SNL sketch of the same name, this 1992 film is a classic comedy following Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), two best friends with their own late-night public access TV show. After getting noticed by a TV producer, played to perfection by Rob Lowe, Wayne and Garth must navigate the perils of commercialism while still trying to stay true to themselves and their fans. This movie was hilarious when it first came out, and it still stands the test of time today. Here are a few reasons why it is still a classic comedy, over 25 years after its initial release.
The Costumes
From Garth's Aerosmith T-shirts and plaid flannels to Cassandra’s (Tia Carrere) tight-fitted rock outfits, each character wears a costume that perfectly represents their identity. Perhaps no piece is more iconic than Wayne's hat. The black hat features the “Wayne’s World” logo and is rarely seen off of Wayne's head. Its simple black and white look, combined with Wayne’s plain black shirt and jeans, tell you all you need to know about him. It’s clear that Wayne isn’t focused on money or outward appearances, just about making his show and being wholly himself. In fact, Wayne’s outfit is a great one to imitate for Halloween. You can also grab a friend to dress as Garth, and you’ll both be ready to party on!
The Cameos
SNL is famous for its celebrity cameos, so it makes sense that this SNL-based movie would be chock-full of them, too. Appearances by the likes of Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, and Robert Patrick in a reprisal of his role as the T1000 from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” are sprinkled throughout the film with great comedic impact. Perhaps the most memorable cameo, however, is from Alice Cooper. Wayne and Garth receive tickets to one of his concerts, and upon meeting him backstage, immediately fall to their knees proclaiming, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” This moment is one of the highlights of the movie, and it was made possible by Cooper’s willingness to appear in the film. It is hard to imagine the movie featuring any other artist.
Pop Culture References
“Wayne’s World” is like a time capsule; there are so many pop culture references that current viewers are reminded of the unique cultural environment of the early ‘90s. When Wayne and his friends are driving around Aurora, they pull up next to a fancy limo and ask for some Grey Poupon—a reference to a popular commercial at the time. Wayne also repeatedly references different musicians, including Elvis, Cheap Trick, and Ted Nugent. There is even a bit where Wayne and Garth recreate the iconic “Laverne and Shirley” opening sequence. These references are often subtle, but offer new moments of discovery and humor every time you watch the film.
The Music
It's impossible to talk about “ Wayne's World” without mentioning the music of the film. After all, Wayne, Garth, and all of their friends are huge metalheads and spend a lot of their time talking about music or going to concerts. Due to this, the movie boasts an impressive soundtrack. From "Foxy Lady" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience to Cassandra’s rendition of The Sweet’s "Ballroom Blitz," the movie feels like a nonstop rock concert. No music in the movie is more memorable, of course, than the use of the iconic Queen song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” When Wayne and his friends are jamming to it in their car, it feels like you’re watching pure joy, and this scene resonated with many people who watched it. After all, who hasn’t danced to a great song in their car with their friends? In fact, the movie is often credited as being a major factor in Queen’s resurgence in popularity in the States, and the song reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts shortly after the film’s release.
After 25 years, it’s clear that “ Wayne's World” is still comedy gold. There’s just something so special and authentic about the youthful exuberance of Wayne and Garth that so many people can relate to. The characters created by Myers and Carvey are truly iconic and it’s obvious they will continue to be loved for years and years to come.