Scream 3 Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Scream 3" exhibits a notable degree of inconsistency in visual quality, falling somewhere between its predecessors, "Scream" and "Scream 2". The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (2.35:1) offers a richer and fuller color palette, with especially bold and saturated primaries outperforming the more pallid colors of "Scream 2". Brightly lit scenes shine with impressive clarity and sharpness, demonstrating excellent definition in elements such as trees, architecture, hair, and clothing. Facial complexions appear natural and well-textured in close-ups. Nonetheless, the picture quality falters in darker scenes where low contrast results in murkiness; black levels are uneven and in some cases so poor that they obscure background details.

Despite these strengths, there is a persistent issue with graininess and digital noise, particularly in low-light or night-time scenes, sometimes reaching near-distracting levels. Chroma noise around edges and highlights can be bothersome, detracting from an otherwise decent transfer. Additionally, the presence of artifacting such as moiré and shimmer intermittently impacts overall visual fidelity. Although there is evidence of some digital sharpening, likely due to the aged DVD print source material, it fortunately does not approach the glaring extent seen in the earlier films. Overall, while "Scream 3" improves upon certain aspects of its predecessors' transfers, particularly in color rendering and facial tones, its inconsistency in black levels and contrast hampers what could have been a superior high-definition experience.

"Scream 3's" lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix delivers an impressive and immersive auditory experience. The soundfield is expertly constructed with a diverse array of sound effects, featuring significant low-frequency effects (LFE) that create a highly engaging and occasionally overwhelming atmosphere. Directional cues are seamlessly integrated, providing convincing and discrete rear activity. The soundtrack’s dynamic range is particularly noteworthy, maintaining clarity and sharpness even at elevated volumes designed to enhance jump scares and moments of suspense. This mix is a riot of well-placed sound effects, though its aggressive nature might occasionally detract from the film’s intended scare effects.

Fidelity in this mix is top-notch, offering robust sound reproduction across all frequency ranges. The front soundstage is wide and inviting, with excellent channel separation that enhances the overall immersive experience. Dialogue remains clear and consistently well-integrated within the mix, ensuring that it stands out amidst the barrage of background sounds and music. Subtle ambient effects enhance the scenes and contribute to an enveloping auditory environment. The music blends fluidly into the background, effectively maintaining viewer engagement throughout the film. Ultimately, "Scream 3" on Blu-ray features a highly cinematic and entertaining audio presentation that, despite being occasionally too busy, succeeds in delivering a captivating sound experience.

The Blu Ray edition of 'Scream 3' brings a robust set of extras, largely mirroring those found on the DVD version, enriched with insightful commentary and nostalgic content. Director Wes Craven, producer Marianne Maddalena, and editor Patrick Lussier provide consistent commentary across various segments, blending informative discourse with unintentional humor, especially regarding David Arquette and Courteney Cox's then-newlywed status. Although the video quality for the deleted scenes and alternate ending is suboptimal, the additional commentary offers depth. The outtakes provide light-hearted moments, while the behind-the-scenes montage spans all three films, offering a broader look at the franchise’s production. Fans of Creed will appreciate the music video inclusion.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Engaging insights from Wes Craven, Marianne Maddalena, and Patrick Lussier.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary: Additional takes with subpar video quality.
• Alternate Ending with Optional Commentary: An earlier, creepier conclusion.
• Outtakes: Fun mistakes and bloopers.
• Behind the Scenes Montage: Clips from all three Scream films.
• Music Video: Creed performs "What If".
• Theatrical Trailer
• International Trailer
• TV Spots

"Scream 3" represents a decline in the series, largely due to a change in writers and a rehash of already-tired tropes. Unlike the first two films, which cleverly combined humor and horror, "Scream 3" struggles to maintain the same level of wit and scares. The absence of original screenwriter Kevin Williamson is sorely felt, with Ehren Kruger's screenplay falling short of the sharp dialogue and inventive commentary that defined the franchise. The plot, involving the cast and crew of the fictional "Stab 3," provides some laughs – particularly due to Parker Posey's spot-on portrayal of Gale Weathers’ on-screen counterpart. However, many sequences, including those featuring Ghostface, feel recycled and lack the punch of new twists.

Technically, Wes Craven’s direction remains solid, but the film’s self-referential elements have been overutilized to the point of redundancy. The novelty of meta-humor that initially invigorated the series wears thin as it becomes apparent that "Scream 3" has little fresh ground left to cover. The convoluted backstory involving Sidney Prescott’s mother feels forced and detracts from Sidney's character arc. Notable cameos by Carrie Fisher and others inject brief bursts of humor but do little to elevate the overall narrative.

In essence, while "Scream 3" does deliver moments of entertainment through a mix of humor and horror, it fails to capture the ingenuity and tension of its predecessors. The film’s attempt to further explore the dark past surrounding Sidney Prescott ends up feeling somewhat contrived and disconnected from the series' original charm. Despite sporting an ensemble cast that brings some memorable performances, the film teeters between being an unintentional parody and a repetitive slasher sequel, failing to meet the high bar set by the first two entries in the franchise.

"Scream 3" on Blu-ray provides an intriguing yet mixed addition to the beloved slasher franchise directed by Wes Craven. While the film presents a robust start, delivering an energetic combination of humor and shock value, it falters towards the climax with an over-the-top reveal that somewhat undermines the narrative's coherence. The Blu-ray release is equipped with decent video quality and very good audio, though it doesn't introduce any new supplements beyond what was available on the previous DVD. Fans may find it advisable to hold out for a comprehensive collection coinciding with the release of "Scre4m."

The film, while not as strong as its predecessors, still succeeds in some respects. It particularly shines in its satirical treatment of Hollywood, lampooning the industry's pretensions and unfulfilled aspirations with sharp wit. This satire provides a fresh layer of enjoyment, though some might argue it veers too much into familiar territory. For those who have followed the series closely, "Scream 3" offers enough to merit at least a rental, especially for the completists.

If Scream 3 didn't by its very nature have to stand on the formidable shoulders of Scream and Scream 2, it would probably be more solidly appreciated than it is. As it stands, it's kind of the poor stepchild of the Scream franchise, something that works in fits and starts and certainly has both humor and shock in abundance, but it simply seems a warmed-over approximation of what we've seen and heard before in the first two films. This film actually probably does better in the humor department, and it has a great time skewering the pretensions and dashed dreams of Hollywood insiders. It's going to be really interesting to see what Craven and Williamson have in store for rabid fans with Scream 4, and anyone wanting to be up to speed with these characters would probably do well to revisit all three Scream entries. While this film isn't quite at the level of the first two, it has enough going for it to earn a rating of Recommended.