Urban Legend (Collector’s Edition) + Urban Legends: Final Cut – Blu-Ray Reviews
Available this week on Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is Jamie Blanks’ “Urban Legend”. Also, for the first time on Blu-ray is John Ottman’s sequel “Urban Legends: Final Cut”, which is pretty-much on the same level as the first one. I may not have loved these two films, but they can be entertaining. Thankfully the horrid third film, “Urban Legend: Bloody Mary” did not get the upgraded treatment. The only good thing about that one is that it featured Kate Mara in one of her early roles. Hey, her sister did that “Elm Street” remake so the siblings are even on bad horror.
Urban Legend (Collector’s Edition)
1998’s “Urban Legend” was one of the various “Scream” knock-offs, where slasher films where the killer’s identity had to be a surprise. Much like “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, this one had quite an impressive young cast. Jared Leto and Joshua Jackson were a couple of the stars, also a pre-Smallville, Michael Rosenbaum. The set-up for the film was also an intriguing one. What if a killer used urban legends as inspiration for their kills? For the most part, “Urban Legend” succeeds but just didn’t have what it takes to be memorable.
If you are a fan of “Urban Legend”, then this release is for you. The major stand-out here is the eight-part documentary which runs nearly 2.5 hours. That alone should give you as much information on the film’s production that your horror heart desires.
Bonus Features
DISC ONE
- NEW Audio Commentary With Director Jamie Blanks, Producer Michael McDonnell, Assistant Edgar Pablos, Moderated By Author Peter M. Bracke
- Audio Commentary With Director Jamie Blanks, Writer Silvio Horta, And Actor Michael Rosenbaum
- Theatrical Trailer
DISC TWO
- NEW Urban Legacy – An Eight-Part Documentary On The Making Of Urban Legend (147 Minutes) Including Interviews With Director Jamie Blanks, Writer Silvio Horta, Executive Producers Brad Luff And Nick Osborne, Producers Neal Moritz, Gina Matthews, And Michael McDonnell, Chairman And CEO Of Phoenix Pictures Mike Medavoy, Production Designer Charles Breen, Director Of Photography James Chressanthis, Editor Jay Cassidy, Composer Christopher Young, Actors Alicia Witt, Michael Rosenbaum, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Robert Englund, Loretta Devine, Rebecca Gayheart, Tara Reid, And Danielle Harris, Assistant Edgar Pablos, Author Peter M. Bracke, And More…
- NEW Behind-The-Scenes Footage
- NEW Extended Interviews From The Eight-Part Documentary
- Archival Making Of Featurette
- Gag Reel
- Deleted Scene
- TV Spots
Urban Legend: Final Cut
The 2000 sequel, “Urban Legend: Final Cut” is not as well remembered as the first film, but the simple fact that it takes place at a film school made me enjoy it just a tiny bit more. “Final Cut” is a more self-referential film and though not nearly as cleverly done as “Scream”, it manages to be quite entertaining. Even though the twist is a rip-off of 1988’s “D.O.A.”, I am able to look passed that. When it comes down to it, if the slasher flick can keep me interested, I can recommend it.
Although this is not a Collector’s Edition release, Scream Factory was able to score some good interviews for the bonus features. Aside from that, there isn’t much new here. If you are a fan of “Final Cut” and want it in HD, you might want to pick this one up as well.
Bonus Features
- NEW The Legend Continues: Urban Legends: Final Cut Including Interviews With Producers Gina Matthews And Michael McDonnell, Executive Producers Nick Osborne And Brad Luff, Chairman And CEO Of Phoenix Pictures Mike Medavoy, Writer Silvio Horta, And Actors Loretta Devine And Rebecca Gayheart\
- NEW Interview With Actress Jessica Cauffiel
- Audio Commentary With Director John Ottman
- Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary By Director John Ottman
- Vintage Making Of Featurette
- Gag Reel
- Theatrical Trailer
By: Marc Ferman