Say what you want about the Scream franchise. For nearly 26 years across five movies and a TV version, they are and continue to be bloody good fun. This fifth installment in the feature series rings familiar in so many ways, but with the franchise wanting to impress a whole new generation of genre fans in the social media, this part-sequel, part very self-aware reboot offers just enough to justify its existence.
Our original theatrical review of Scream (2022) from Kat Hughes, who knows more about this iconic series and horror movies in general than I ever will, applauded directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s respectful new entry into a very well established franchise and its hard to disagree. The first Scream movie, released all of the way back in 1996, injected new life into the genre, winning over millions of fans across the globe. It was a product of its era – the mid to late-90s, and kick-started dozens of similar wannabees. Some eleven years since the last film – it’s hard to believe Scream 4 was released in the spring of 2011 – and the first without its late, legendary helmer Wes Craven, a lot is expected of this new ‘Generation Z’ version.
The story starts back in familiar territory. A suburban house, late at night, a young girl – Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) cooking in the kitchen. A phone rings, a familiar voice on the other end. It’s the same set-up as the original with this new version updated to include the rise of mobile phones, text messaging, and social media – as well as nifty remote-locking doors, all controlled by a cellular handset. Despite the updates, the outcome is the same – Ghostface is back and terrorising the small town of Woodsboro, California. Cue a line-up of potential killers amongst the young high-schoolers and two hours of awesome kills and red herrings as we attempt to decipher who is the new Ghostface whilst basking in glorious nostalgia as legacy cast members David Arquette, Courtney Cox, and Neve Campbell return to the screen for more bloodshed.
With the superb Ready Or Not, filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have more than proved themselves in the genre, and are perfect directors to take the mantle from Craven to whom this film is dedicated. Coupled with a killer screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, Scream delights from the off and will indeed keep you guessing until the very end. As well as delivering inventive kills, nods to the genre in which it lies (there is a lot of reboot/ sequel rules-talk among the protagonists here), the Scream films have always championed young, emerging talent. The series has featured, in the past, rising stars Jada Pinkett-Smith, Liev Schreiber, Rose McGowan, Matthew Lillard, Jerry O’Connell, Timothy Olyphant, and more, and the same applies here. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are excellent as the two siblings front and centre, while there is solid support from the likes of Dylan Minnette and Mason Gooding provide superb support.
A Scream film worthy of its predecessors and a love letter to Craven, the horror legend who inspired a generation. Fans of the original movies will dig this high-ranking follow-up, whilst the film will undoubtedly attract a whole new generation, too.
Bonus features on the 4K include a making-of featurette titled ‘New Blood’ which draws comparisons between the new movie and the original. The making-of features interviews with the filmmakers and cast, and how things have changed between 1996 and 2022. A director’s commentary from Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett offers more detailed insight into the production of the film, scene by scene. A second featurette, ‘Bloodline’ recaps the previous movies and how the new film ties in with previous installments. There’s also ‘In The Shadow Of A Master’ which is an ode to the master, Wes Craven himself. There are insights from the directors once again, and some of the cast, and original screenwriter and creator Kevin Williamson reflect on their time filming with him. There are also deleted scenes and a trailer for the original 1996 film.
Scream (2022)
Paul Heath
Summary
The best Scream movie since the original on a well-presented disc that includes tons of bonus stuff that adds real insight into the film.
Scream is now available on digital download, 4K ULTRA HD™ + BLU-RAY™ STEELBOOK®, 4K UHD™, BLU-RAY™ & DVD
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