Synopsis
In 1969, a group of jocks drug their dates at the homecoming dance in order to abduct them. One of them, Mary, stays sober, and is accidentally killed by her date. Thirty years later, history repeats itself when three young women are the victims of a similar revenge prank on the part of the jocks. One of the victims (Kate Mara) accidentally summons the vengeful ghost (by reciting “Bloody Mary”) and the culprits all start dying in various gruesome ways. It seems, however, that they all have s…me link to the original victimizers of 1969.
The original Urban Legend was a completely forgettable Scream wannabe. This new entry is able to stand on its own merits a bit more convincingly. It also gets off to a very strong start as it delves into the tyrannical gender politics of high school, but this concept is sadly never followed through with the rigour of something like, say, Carrie or Massacre at Central High. The CGI are cheap and overdone (with the climax being particularly embarrassing), but there are some cheerfully gruesome deaths along the way. A middling effort, then, but actually a high point in its franchise (only now it’s clumsily ripping off Japanese ghost stories rather than postmodern slashers).
Audio
Here’s a puzzler: why is the only other language provided 5.1 Portuguese? Anyway, the music is very atmospheric, and the surround mix does it proud with plenty of BOO cues leaping out of the rear speakers. The sound effects, however, remain almost entirely in the front. The dialogue is generally very clear, though there are a few instances of minor distortion, and the voices are almost drowned out by the music in the opening scene (said music being much too powerful in the rear).
Video
The colours, contrasts, blacks and flesh tones are all excellent, so no problem there. Nor is there any problem with edge enhancement. Where there is a problem is with the grain, which, while not crippling, is definitely noticeable.
Special Features
Not a lot here. You have your standard-issue promotional making-of featurette, and a clutch of trailers. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
As direct-to-video horror movies go, you could do much worse. You could do much better, too, but this is better than it has any right to be.
Special Features List
- Making-of Featurette
- Trailers
