Scream (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: October 19, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
After a series of mysterious deaths befalls their small town, an offbeat group of friends led by Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) becomes the target of a masked killer. As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends turn to the “rules” of horror films to help navigate the real-life terror they’re living in.
 
My Thoughts
Horror films generally aren’t my cup of tea, but I remember seeing Scream back in 1996 and found it to be a breath of fresh air. What’s most telling about the film is that it’s self-aware of the genre and in many ways makes fun of the cliches of past horror films. In fact, it embraces many of them to great comedic effect. Sure, the film still intends to scare its audience, but it has such fun at the same time it’s hard not to enjoy it.
 
Revisiting the film after 25 years was a fun experience mainly because it was fresh again but even more so for seeing the cast of characters who have gone on to a lot of commercial success such as Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Liev Schreiber, and of course, Drew Barrymore (who was already a household name).
 
The video encode looks pretty good for a 25-year-old movie. Detail is quite good and the fine edges are sharp and clear. For those with capable displays, there’s also a Dolby Vision flag on the disc although I don’t have the ability to judge this with my front projection system. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is great and compliments the onscreen action quite well. The LFE is do die for (pun intended) and when Ghostface speaks, it’s hard not to take notice with his unique voice which vibrates throughout the room.
 
 
Video 8/10
 
Audio 9/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 
·        Audio Commentary
·        A Bloody Legacy: Scream 25 Years Later
·        Production Featurette
·        Behind the Scenes
·        Q&A with Cast and Crew
·        Digital Copy
 
 

 
 
Conclusion
For me to endorse a horror film shows the actual quality of said film. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane and the 4K update of the film is quite good. If you’re looking for an upgrade or a chance to own it for the first time, then definitely pick up a 4K copy. Recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD  controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Never seen this. Maybe I’ll give it a spin

[AVSCraig]

Never seen this. Maybe I’ll give it a spin

I've never seen it either. And a horror film David likes - that's a rarity!