It should come as no surprise that Hot Rod, a film shepherded to the multiplexes by the trio of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (the fellas behind "The Lonely Island" and the resurgence of "Saturday Night Live"), is a bit quirky. Bouncing in and out of theaters earlier this year, this idiosyncratic paean to obscure and cheesy Eighties cinema, as well as the quick hit, non sequitur-laced humor embraced by the Internet (where, not uncoincidentally, Samberg, Schaffer and Taccone got their start). Hot Rod is bizarre, almost uncomfortably violent and subtly hilarious.

Samberg stars as Rod Kimble, erstwhile stuntman, a young man who spends his days plotting spectacles (jumping mail trucks, leaping over public pools) and palling around with his colorful crew -- ticking time bomb Rico (Danny McBride), dopey Dave (Bill Hader) and his half brother Kevin (Taccone). Rod's stepfather, Frank (a brilliant Ian McShane), engages in brutal fights with Rod -- according to Rod, unless he can punch his tormentor in the face, Frank will neither love or respect him. When Frank's heart condition worsens, requiring a transplant, Rod springs into action, attempting to organize a fundraiser to save his stepfather -- all so he can finally kick Frank's ass, once and for all.

If that summary didn't make you chuckle, then knowing that Samberg and company freely -- and oh-so-ironically -- riff upon 20 years' worth of cinema (dig that goofy Footloose homage) and stock the soundtrack with cornball rock from the era of Spandex and big hair (even the Queens of the Stone Age get into the act, cameoing as an Eighties rock band near the film's climax) won't entice you any further. Working from a Pam Brady screenplay but infusing the flick with a piquant and peculiar brand of humor all their own, Hot Rod is a distinct (and short -- 87 minutes) work, a film that doesn't feel like a lot of other laughfests out there in 2007.

A lot of the film's charm comes from Samberg, as unlikely a leading man as any, and his deadpan style; much of the hilarity stems from the supporting cast, including Hader, Taccone, McShane and even Isla Fisher, who's largely wasted in her role. Hot Rod is far from being a flick for all tastes, but for those who tap into its left-of-center sensibility, you'll be rewarded with one of the more refreshing comedies in recent memory.

The Video:

Hot Rod was in theaters less than six months ago, so its 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer looks appropriately fresh and free from any noticeable visual defects. Colors are vivid, the image is crisp and detailed and the black levels are solid. Overall, a very satisfactory visual representation.

With a soundtrack that leans heavily on the roar of a motorcycle and the oeuvre of Eighties rockers Europe, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track gets plenty of opportunities to shine, while also rendering dialogue cleanly and clearly. Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are on board, as are optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.

The bonus features manage to be both goofy and informative, almost in spite of themselves, kicking off with an amusing, often silly commentary track featuring director Akiva Schaffer, Samberg and Taccone. The seven minute, 57 second featurette "Ancestors Protect Me: Behind the Scenes of Hot Rod," is presented in anamorphic widescreen; 13 deleted and extended scenes are included with optional commentary from Schaffer, Samberg and Taccone, presented in anamorphic widescreen and playable separately or all together for an aggregate of 14 minutes, 39 seconds. A three minute, 32 second reel of outtakes is on board, as are eight of "Kevin's Videos," playable separately or all together for an aggregate of four minutes, 23 seconds. The one minute, 57 second "Punch-Dance" featurette overlays a dance sequence from Footloose on the segment of Hot Rod that pays tribute to it. One minute and 28 seconds of "Home Video Footage of Orchestra Recording Session," the 52-second theatrical trailer (presented in anamorphic widescreen) and trailers for Stardust and Drillbit Taylor complete the disc.

Hot Rod is far from being a flick for all tastes, but for those who tap into its left-of-center sensibility, you'll be rewarded with one of the more refreshing comedies in recent memory. Recommended.