by Karl Madsen, Media Editor, Horror
One of the sure fire ways to find a monster or demon, or to release a curse is to work for a museum, or a major educational institution. More importantly, you have to be a researcher at a school or museum – anyplace that has lots of creepy old stuff, that’s not your mother-in-law. Scream of the Banshee takes place in just that type of setting.
Professor Isla Whelan (Lauren Holly – The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine) is heading up a team of students who are cataloging the inventory of an academic facility. The team consists of Janie (Leanne Cochran – Green Lantern), her boyfriend Otto (Todd Haberkorn – Dusk), as well as Isla’s, show-up-when-she-feels-like-it, daughter Shayla (Marcelle Baer – Vampires Suck). One evening she does show up, and finds a box behind a false wall in the storeroom. And in that box is another box, an ornate box with a mysterious lock that just happens to be opened by the mysterious armored glove they received in the mail. Inside is the head of the banshee that was captured by the knight in the flashback sequence at the films beginning. The problem begins when the team is chronicling the find on video; the eyes open, the head screams then disappears, and almost immediately people start dying. Even if you only hear the recording of the incident, as in the case of Shayla’s boyfriend Kurtis (Garrett Hines – Green Lantern), former researcher Samuel Page (Eric F. Adams – Night of the Demons), and Broderick Duncan (Lance Henriksen – Aliens), who wanted to use the contents of the box as a weapon. Now, the only thing left to do is either wait to die, or figure out how to get the head back into the box.
Scream of the Banshee is the weakest of the After Dark Originals released so far, and coincidentally is one of the three made for initial release on the SyFy channel, along with Husk, and51 (review forthcoming). There is very little character development or advancement, and quite a few story flaws and holes, coupled with a cliché riddled script that makes the fair to good performances seem campy and overacted. The discovery of the box with the head is pretty standard and the general premise of survival is well used, but acceptable. My problem is the relationships are forced and inconsistent, as well as the inconsistent use of plot devices.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Director Steven C. Miller and Composer Ryan Dodson
Widescreen Presentation
English 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio
English and Spanish Subtitles
Karl’s Scores:
Acting – B+
Setting – B-
Special Effects – B+
Creep Factor – B-
Tension – C+
What the Heck Moments – A couple of jumps
Overall – C
Scream of the Banshee has a lot going against it, but there are some good aspects as well. The acting isn’t bad, and actually spotlights some possible up-and-comers, and the effects are pretty good. But most importantly it’s still fun to watch.
ComicsOnline gives Scream of the Banshee 3 demon heads out of 5 medieval storage
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