Some comedies are for the ages, and though some aspects of these films haven’t aged well, both Dazed and Confused and Fast Times at Ridgemont High are a testament to how a successful comedy can last generations. They’re both coming-of-age comedy films that follow high schoolers as freshmen and seniors, celebrating big milestones in their lives. They’re also both considered stoner comedies because they allow some focus on the use of marijuana throughout the story, both for the sake of comedy and to bring the realism of teenagehood to life during those decades.
Though both Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused and Amy Heckerling’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High were flops upon theatrical release, they’ve gained cult classic status through the years, garnering fan bases far and wide. Because they are so similar, it’s hard not to compare the two. But is one of them a better film than the other?
Dazed and Confused Has Better Critical Reception Than Fast Times
Even though both of these movies flopped at the box office, they still amassed huge fanbases due to their success in a specific subgenre of comedy. But critics still had things to say about them both. Critics were harsh on Fast Times at Ridgemont High — Metacritic gives it only a Metascore of 61, and the user score isn’t that much higher. Some critics felt that the tone wasn’t consistent and that it relied too much on youth exploitation. To be fair, some aspects of the film didn’t age quite well.
On the other hand, Dazed and Confused received a Metascore of 78, which, while it isn’t incredible, is a fair bit better than Fast Times. Critics felt that it combined the best of comedy with meaningful themes like belonging and youthful hope. It seems that critics were more favorable toward Dazed and Confused because it seemed like a cohesive film, with thought put into every detail.
Dazed and Confused Uses Stoner Comedy Better Than Fast Times
While both Dazed and Confused and Fast Times at Ridgemont High are both considered stoner comedies, one of them definitely encapsulates that genre better. Dazed and Confused ultimately uses the stoner comedy to greater effect. While Fast Times has three generic pothead characters, that is the only time that marijuana is used or referenced. It’s not pushed onto others or shared — it merely typifies and reinforces the stereotypes surrounding pot smokers. Conversely, Dazed and Confused uses the drug to its benefit, showing how various types of people smoke weed and that it’s not always something that turns one into a stereotypical pothead like the ones featured in Fast Times. While the comedy style is similar in both films, Dazed and Confused uses the stoner comedy genre to its best possible extent, employing it for laughs and relatability.
Dazed and Confused Might Have A Bigger Legacy
Fast Times at Ridgemont High definitely has achieved a cult following, but it doesn’t have the legacy that Dazed and Confused has garnered over the years. The film won the Star of Texas award from the Texas Film Hall of Fame back in 2013, which was the film’s 20th anniversary. It cemented Matthew McConaughey’s iconic line, “Alright, alright, alright,” which has reappeared in multiple of his other movies and even a commercial. When people hear the word “stoner movie,” many instantly think of Dazed and Confused. While they may also think of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it’s typically not the first one that comes to mind.
Which Stoner Comedy Reigns Supreme?
At the end of the day, whichever film is better is up to the beholder. But from an objective standpoint, Dazed and Confused seems to be a better movie overall. It combines the best of teenage melodrama with stoner comedy to tell a meaningful story that many people, young or old, can relate to. While Fast Times at Ridgemont High is certainly a funny movie, it’s not as put together or thought-out as Dazed and Confused. The film made a statement both as a comedy and as a coming-of-age story that stands apart from the crowd. They will both go down in history as cult classics, but Dazed and Confused may be remembered more fondly.
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