Scream

For horror fans, “Scream” (1996) needs no introduction. If Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (1960) created the slasher genre, then John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978) affirmed that the slasher genre is well alive. Eighteen years since the release of “Halloween,” Wes Craven’s “Scream” revitalized the slasher genre, yet again.  Whatever be the case, the slasher genre owes a great deal to Anthony Perkins’s killer image holding a knife in “Psycho.” That iconic image redefined the horror genre for years to come, and the “Halloween” and “Scream” movies are born out from the “Psycho” phenomenon. “Scream” was created on a moderate budget of $10 million, and it became a smashing success generating gross revenue of $170 million at the box-office.

“Scream” tells a tale of a serial killer, who has terrorized a small fictional town in California. One-by-one teenagers fall victim to his kills. Sidney (Neve Campbell) is attacked several times, but manages to escape. A Sheriff, a journalist, Sidney’s close friends are all attacked by this killer. But the real question is: Who is the killer? And what is the motive?

Even though, the movie’s premise is straightforward, it still manages to thrill the audience with the suspense and in its sound execution of horror elements. “Scream” probably features one of the best opening sequences in a horror movie. Without wasting any time, the writers directly take us to the center of the action. The shot begins with a phone call, in which you hear the killer’s unsettling voice. Casey (Drew Barrymore) receives the calls, and begins conversing with the caller, although not wholeheartedly. The caller asks: “What is your favorite scary movie?” and from that point onward, it triggers the start of a deadly cat-and-mouse game. The caller is a stalker, probably hiding in a nearby location, and watching Casey’s every move. Casey senses something is wrong, but for some reason carriers on the conversation with the caller. She breaks the first rule of a horror movie: Don’t drop your guard. The killer soon appears in her house, laden in black clothing, with face covered with a ghostly mask, and holding a shinny-sharp knife in his hand. The killer’s opening imagery is shocking that convincingly builds the tension from the first scene itself.

The opening conversation works like a trivia. The writers have deliberated crafted references to other horror movies like “Halloween,” “The Nightmare on the Elm Street,” and “Psycho.” It’s an attempt to identify killer’s image under the shadows of iconic villains from the past, and in the process asking: “Am I too scary for you?” And looking fifteen years since the movie’s release, the killer has definitely become a cultural icon, which is evident in Halloween costumes, and the spoof series of “Scary Movie.”

“Scream” strictly obeys the framework used in horror movies. You have a killer on the loose, who attacks the victims when they are lonely. Further, the killer is driven by a cause and ends-up being challenged by a female protagonist. The protagonist weathers everything in the path with her never-say-die attitude, and readies herself for the final redemption. In the end, the revelation about the killer’s identity and his motivation for the killing spree, all makes complete sense. Like “Halloween” and Polanski’s “Repulsion,” “Scream” is also driven by a female lead. Her actions carry the plot forward and we eagerly watch her next move. The initial image of a terrified person is transformed to an image of a courageous person. Whatever be the outcome, at that point, the female lead survives everything, and we come cheering for her in the end. She becomes a true savior and a hero for the community.

Wes Craven throws other signatory references at the audience, as well. At a basic level, “Scream” is a tribute to “Halloween.” We see characters watching “Halloween,” and they discuss the ground rules for surviving a horror movie. Further, we learn through the characters that filmmakers deliberately employ a virgin heroine as the main character in a horror movie, because only the virgin can kill the devil. All of this sounds funny because the film’s characters are trapped in a similar situation.

“Scream” with its references to old horror movies did something unique back in 1996. It’s a tightly paced thriller in which the characters are caught in plausible situations. The horror survival elements are brilliantly staged, mixing it with a tinge of humor, as well.  It packs a number of chilling sequences that are suspenseful. “Scream” might have lost its edge over the years, primarily because of the spoofs in the form of the “Scary Movie” series.  Nonetheless, the film still manages to entertain with its believable horror-inducing elements.

Video:

Earlier this year, Lionsgate procured rights to release Miramax films on Blu-ray, and the “Scream” trilogy is first release for Miramax under the Lionsgate banner. “Scream” leaps onto Blu-ray with good results, mostly. The 1080p transfer is clean with no dirt on the print; however, a few white specs do pop up here and there, but they are never distracting. Once the transfer settles in, the specs do disappear. The grain is retained throughout, and I could not trace any sign of DNR. The close-ups are good with realistic skin tones. The detail is generally consistent, but lacks depth in several scenes. Occasionally, the transfer comes across as a bit flat, too. Shot on 35mm, the film’s stock condition might have played a big role on how things looked in the 1080p. The night shots are solid with good blacks. Likewise, the outdoor scenes around the town and the neighboring jungle are beautifully rendered. Generally, the colors are vibrant and deep. Overall, I would rate this transfer as a good-looking one.

Video:

Even though, we get a lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master track, it is not truly remastered for the 5.1 mode. Mostly, the front channels drive the audio for the film. The dialogue gets a boost in the lossless version that is consistently clear. Subtle surround noises are active through the rear channels. We also hear ambient noises from the surrounding jungle through the rear channels.  Considering the limitations of original sound design, this track work perfectly well.

Extras:

All the extras from the previous DVD release are carried over for this Blu-ray release.

First, we get an audio commentary track with Director, Wes Craven and Writer, Kevin Williamson. The duo talk about the screenplay, the killer’s character, the influence of classic horror movies, and their favorite scenes from the movie.

Next, we get a short production featurette, in which the filmmakers and cast talk about the story, the serial killer, and the script.

Up next, another short featurette, “Behind the scenes,” takes us to the actual locations. Following this is a short Q & A featurette, where filmmakers talk about their favorite scary movie. The disc ends with a theatrical trailer, and a few TV spots.

Parting Thoughts:

If “Scream” owes a lot to “Psycho” and “Halloween,” then it is fair to say that the “Scary Movie” series and the “Saw” series owe a lot to “Scream.”  Even though the film is laced with grotesque violence, it nonetheless, comes across as a satire to a certain extend. The violence in the film might appear too sugarcoated these days, but it still manages to chill and entertain us with several brilliant scenes. Indeed, “Scream” is one of the best slasher movies out there that showcases Wes Craven at his best.