Let the fun begin. We're kicking off a ton of horror coverage this month with this review of one of the most anticipated horror sequels of all time!
Scream 4
Written by: Kevin Williamson
Directed by: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Alison Brie, Hayden Panettiere, Marley Shelton, Rory Culkin, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson and Mary McDonnell
Special Features: Alternate Opening, Extended Ending, Wes Craven and Cast (Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere and Neve Campbell) Commentary, “Making Of…” Featurette, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Gag Reel, DVD and Digital Copy
From the box:
Directed by suspense master and director of the first trilogy, Wes Craven, Scream 4 is the newest installment in the acclaimed franchise that ushered in a new wave of horror in the 1990s. In Scream 4, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey (David Arquette) and Gale (Courteney Cox), who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill (Emma Roberts). Unfortunately Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghost Face, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends (Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Adam Brody) and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.
Well, anticipation didn't exactly translate into box office dollars when Scream 4 came out. It kinda fizzled for some reason. Maybe it was the decade since Scream 3 hit theaters that put the idea of a Scream sequel in the far reaches of memory. Who knows? What I do know is that I have been waiting for this movie since the end credits of its predecessor. I loved the Scream movies. All three of them, despite the obvious quality dip from part one to three. I still loved them and was beyond excited to get to the theater for each one of them. So imagine my excitement when word was confirmed that Scream 4 was coming. I was over the moon. I saw it night one and I couldn't wait to visit it again, this time on blu-ray.
I guess that pretty much gives away my feelings on the movie. I loved it. It was funny and brought the scares and most importantly it FELT like a Scream movie. It took me right back and for 2 hours I was a teenager again spending time with the characters I loved (are you listening George Lucas? This is how Indy 4 should have felt.)
The plot finds Sidney returning home to Woodsboro for the final stop on her self-help book tour which leads to murder and mayhem as Ghost Face comes back right along with her. You know, of course, what he brings along. Well, I guess because I just said it.
What follows is a fun time that fits right in with the original trilogy. Great characters, the best of which almost shockingly comes from Hayden Panettiere. She completely and totally steals the show here. It really is great to revisit these characters and meet the new ones. I hope we see more of them.
As for the blu-ray, the film looks flawless. It's really crystal clear with nice color and deep blacks. The sound is crisp and immersive, leading to some good sound queue scares. The special features are decent if not a little lacking. I enjoyed them for the most part but I did feel like I wanted more. Maybe some more history on the franchise or a hint of what might be to come (if anything). Still, they make for a good set of supplemental material to make this blu-ray an even more enticing buy.
It may not have burned up the box office but Scream 4 is definitely one you should hav eon your shelf, especially if you are a fan of the original trilogy. I can only hope that this film does better on home video and brings us more Scream in the future.
Scream 4 is available now.
You can also download the film from Amazon Prime and iTunes!
Pop Culture Beast Rating
8/10
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