Scream 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Scream" showcases an image that is as sharp and detailed as one might hope, making full use of its Arri Alexa Mini camera shoot, with Panavision G and T lenses. The film was captured at 3.4K and upscaled to a finely tuned native 4K (3840 x 2160p) resolution, compressed using the HEVC (H.265) codec and benefiting from a 10-bit video depth. Both HDR10 and Dolby Vision are supported, enhancing the picture quality further with profound blacks, refined highlights, and a wider color spectrum, offering a naturalistic and nuanced palette that stands out particularly in the Woodsboro exteriors. Paramount's encode skillfully handles the film's digital sources, maintaining clarity and fidelity throughout, the Dolby Vision especially shines by enriching shadows and bringing more life to darker sequences.

Delving into specifics, detail resolution is impressive; from intricate facial textures to the clear, rubbery appearance of the iconic mask, and the lush, varied environments of Woodsboro. Whether it’s the blood-reds popping off the screen or the natural tones of skin, the color grading here is commendable for its balance and realism. The application of amber filters and the portrayal of primary colors in clothing and interiors enrich the film's visual storytelling. Darkness is embraced with deeper, truer blacks on this UHD version compared to its Blu-ray counterpart, enhancing scenes like the dark hospital hallway without losing details in shadows, thanks to excellent black level management. However, note that while there's an appreciable increase in visual quality, some darker scenes may suffer from noise and lack detail in shadowy areas.

Despite these strengths, "Scream" on 4K UHD doesn't completely redefine home cinema experiences in terms of visual spectacle. It lacks the extreme HDR highlights or vivid color saturations seen in some other 4K presentations, which can make its superb realism and detail easy to overlook. That said, its consistent sharpness, absence of noise/artifacts, and meticulous color reproduction create a compelling and immersive viewing experience. There's a balance struck here between enhancing the film's inherent visual style without succumbing to over-processed imagery typical of lesser transfers. The black levels are notably improved, offering a deeper look into the night scenes and interior shots, giving fabrics and darker scenes a richer texture without compromising detail.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Scream" by Paramount presents an audio experience that, while lacking in the Dolby Atmos configuration, offers a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. The absence of Atmos is a noticeable omission, particularly for a film that could greatly benefit from the added dimensionality and immersion it provides. However, the available DTS-HD MA track stands out with its clarity and detail, delivering a dynamic and engaging audio presentation. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, ensuring that every line is intelligible against the backdrop of the film's suspenseful score and robust sound effects. The soundtrack adeptly balances music and ambient sounds, with low end thumps from actions like gunshots and the distinctive sharpness of knife slices being particularly impactful.

This release showcases a soundstage that is both wide and precise, with excellent utilization of surround and rear channels. Environmental sounds and discrete effects such as phones ringing from the rear speakers enrich the viewing experience, adding layers to the film's atmosphere. The soundtrack makes effective use of bass, from the rumbling of subwoofers during jump scares to the vibrant LFE during party scenes, enhancing the overall tension and horror. Despite its front-heavy moments, the mix incorporates spatial and directional sounds when necessary, broadening the soundstage and pulling the viewer deeper into the story.

Overall, while fans may yearn for the Atmos track that accompanied the film's theatrical release, the DTS-HD MA 7.1 track provided does a formidable job of bringing "Scream's" modern sound design to life. With its detailed sound effects, engaging music, and clear dialogue, the track offers a substantial audio experience. The mix leverages every channel effectively, creating a fun and immersive soundscape that bolsters the film’s genre credentials and maintains the tension inherent to this horror staple.

While the "Scream" 4K UHD Blu-ray's extras might appear at first glance as a mere extension of the franchise's legacy, they indeed offer a mix of celebratory retrospection and missed opportunities. The included filmmaker commentary is the standout feature, providing in-depth and engaging insights from the creative team behind this revival, allowing viewers to dive deeper into the film's production nuances and the narrative's intertwining with its predecessors. However, the deleted scenes are brief and lack substantial context, feeling more like a nod to longtime fans than essential additions. The featurettes, primarily constituted of EPK material, lean heavily into nostalgia, relishing in the series' past glories rather than offering fresh perspectives on this latest installment. Despite these shortcomings, the extras do manage to shine a light on Wes Craven's pervading influence and the seamless baton pass to a new generation in Woodsboro, though they fall short of providing a comprehensive behind-the-scenes exploration.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker Commentary: Insightful discussion with the film's creative team.
• Deleted Scenes: Brief, yet notable for additional Dewey content.
• New Blood: An introduction to new characters and a reflection on technology’s role.
• Bloodlines: Connecting the legacy of past characters to the new generation.
• In the Shadow of the Master: Tribute to Wes Craven’s influence on the franchise.
• Scream 1996 Trailer: Nostalgic inclusion of the original film's trailer.

The latest installment in the iconic Scream franchise, quasi-cleverly retitled just "Scream" for 2022, attempts to slash its way back into the hearts of horror aficionados with a blend of nostalgia, meta-commentary, and a fresh batch of Woodsboro victims. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film straddles the line between homage and rehash, painstakingly recreating elements from Wes Craven's 1996 genre-redefining original. This iteration of Scream, while keen on excavating the meta-layered terrains of horror sequels, remakes (or the cringingly termed "requels"), and the fandom culture that both adores and admonishes them, struggles to carve out a distinctly memorable identity apart from its predecessors. Despite efforts to merge legacy characters with new faces amidst a blood-streaked love letter to the series itself, the film deviates little from its blueprint, drawing criticism for its lack of originality and depth in character development compared to the vibrancy and novelty of the original cast.

Paramount's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of Scream 2022 garners attention for its crisp visuals and reverent treatment of the source material, albeit with a sparse offering of extra features that might have enriched the overall package. The presence of original cast members—Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette—injects a dose of legacy charm, with Arquette's portrayal of Dewey Riley standing out for his nuanced take on the character. However, the film's new ensemble, though competent, fails to match the charisma and complexity of their 1996 counterparts, leaving audiences yearning for the cleverness and organic terror that Wes Craven so effortlessly wielded. The movie's commentary on toxic fandom and the horror genre's evolution resonates amidst its self-referential script but ultimately gets bogged down by its insistence on mirroring past glories.

While Scream 2022 commendably navigates the tricky waters of satisfying long-time fans and attempting to ensnare new ones, it appears caught in a ghostly echo of its former self. The directors' adherence to Craven's formula—a mix of satire, suspense, and serial murder—serves as both homage and crutch, casting a shadow over their creative voice. As it stands, this installment feels like a well-intentioned but slightly muddled tribute, proficient in execution yet missing the cutting-edge wit and heart that characterized Scream's groundbreaking debut. Whether this blend of old and new will be enough to reinvigorate the franchise remains seen, as it balances on the knife-edge between celebration and stagnation.

The recent 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Scream" has stirred a variety of opinions, primarily emphasizing the film's struggle to emerge from the immense shadow of its predecessor. Critics agree that while the film provides a visually appealing 4K presentation, it falters in delivering a fresh and engaging narrative. The performance and development of both legacy and new characters are seen as lacking, with only a few moments that truly resonate with the franchise's fans. Paramount's release offers excellent Ultra HD video quality and a DTS-HD 7.1 audio mix, nonetheless, the absence of the original theatrical Atmos track is a notable omission that detracts from the overall audio experience. The bonus content, described by some as merely a collection of marketing tools, falls short of expectations, although there are commendable features like the commentary track that will delight diehard fans.

The general consensus points to a mixed reception for "Scream's" latest iteration on home media. The film's attempt at self-awareness and meta-commentary on the genre does not fully compensate for its predictable plot and underwhelming character ensemble. However, for enthusiasts of the series and collectors, the 4K release's technical merits – particularly its visual presentation enhanced by Dolby Vision and its superior audio quality (despite some drawbacks) – make it a worthy addition. The supplementary package, while criticized for its lack of originality, contains enough material to engage series aficionados, with several recommending the insightful commentary track for a deeper appreciation of the movie.

In conclusion, "Scream" on 4K UHD Blu-ray provides a visually impressive experience that is slightly marred by its audio limitations and uninspired extras. While it may not offer much in terms of narrative innovation or character depth, it remains a significant release for collectors and purists of the franchise. The film itself may not live up to the groundbreaking original, but this edition still merits consideration for its high-quality preservation of both sound and picture, catering especially to those with a keen interest in the technical aspects of home cinema.