Scary Movie 4 – Unrated & Uncensored (HD-DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C+ Film: C+
Though
The Wayan Brothers created and launched the original Scary Movie, becoming a huge surprise hit back in 2000, the ran out
of where to go with it and eventually left it to the Weinsteins to take over
with new writers. Jim Abrahams, Pat
Proft and director David Zucker took over and the result is that the series has
survived and grown into new directions. Scary Movie 4 – Unrated & Uncensored
(2006) may not be a comic masterwork, but it is a bit more hit than miss in its
jokes, humor and send-ups in a way that holds up well with its HD-DVD release.
Brenda
(Regina Hall) and Cindy (Anna Faris) are back, with Cindy falling for the
exciting and none-too-bright Tom (Craig Bierko) who finds himself in a War Of The Worlds situation as an alien
invasion is under way. What is
interesting is that there are some seriously big laughs in the smart
screenplay, which is also obviously going out of its way to be stupid. The supporting cast is also better than
usual, including Bill Pullman, Leslie Nielsen, Cloris Leachman, Molly Shannon,
Chris Elliott, Carmen Elektra and cameos by Charlie Sheen, Shaquille O’Neal,
Michael Madsen and even mister-know-it-all Dr. Phil “quick draw with all the
answers” McGraw turn up in what is surprisingly balanced casting.
To say
anything else would ruin things, though this longer cut has a slightly better
flow than the theatrical version. The Grudge is sent up, though not
enough ribbing of Sarah Michelle Gellar, but the bashings of the Saw franchise and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village are dead on. For all the pastiche spoofs of late, this is
one of the best in the cycle. Don’t miss
it, as long as you don’t have your hopes up too high.
The 1.85
X 1 image was shot in digital High Definition by Thomas E. Ackerman, A.S.C.,
and it proves once again that HD works better for this frame than for a 2.35 X
1 scope frame. Also, this is just fine
for a comedy sequel like this. You can
see it is shot that way, but it is not as distracting in this 1080p
presentation. The Dolby Digital 5.1 at
Plus levels is also good, if not great, really kicking in when there are
amusing action and chaos scenes. The
combination is just solid enough to be a step above standard DVD. Also note that this disc offers some start-up
troubles, so it is not your machine.
Extras
include 15 deleted & extended scenes, bloopers, original trailer, Craig
Bierko improvisation, seven featurettes including one on visual effects and an
audio commentary with the filmmakers.
Not bad for a third sequel and the fifth one is on the way. With as bad as Horror films have been lately,
it can’t get here fast enough!
- Nicholas Sheffo
