Title: Scream 4
Director: Wes Craven
Writer: Kevin Williamson
Release Date: April 11th, 2011
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere
Scream 4 Cliff’s Notes
A decade after the events of Scream 3, a new Ghostface attempts to stage a remake of the series. First on the chopping block are Sidney and the original crew. Luckily for us, Sid’s still has a little fight in her.
Lecture
There’s a ton of Scream 4 that feels like going home. Woodsboro is still a welcoming place, and the folks who call it home seem like old friends. Dewey’s older, calmer, but still as hapless as ever; meanwhile, Gale has- reluctantly- moved into a supportive role. And Sid has finally found the peace she was looking for. The world seems to be alright. I feel at home!
Of course, once the Scream-styled shenanigans kick off, things don’t handle quiet as well. The movie seems to move so quickly, scenes don’t breathe, and the plot rushes from point to point. Part of the joy of Scream was how we got to experience not only the scares, but the effect of the scares as well. We see Casey Becker’s parents find her; watch as Dewey struggles through his recovery, and the loss of his sister; and see the toll that surviving has on Sidney.
Scream takes its horror movie awesomeness and brings it into the real world. That means that the characters are drawn in three wonderful dimensions and we root for them the entire time. Here, the lack of build and breath means that we’re jumping from one part to another, new characters are either immediately likable – Panettiere’s Kirby and Erik Knudsen’s Robbie are winners – or stuck up and bland – Robert’s Jill doesn’t really hit until the third act and Nico Tortorella’s Trevor had it coming. Furthermore, as the body count climbs, I didn’t feel that loss. I could care less if some of these clowns didn’t make it, and that makes the movie weaker.
Luckily, Scream 4 has a major saving grace. Once the third act hits, this puppy slides into full Scream gear and we’re thrust right back where we belong. The tension is high, the scares are well crafted and executed, and the hour plus of set up finally comes to fruition. Scream 4 skirts around the remake issue, finally embracing it in the third act and breaks into the series most impressive metaphors since the first flick. Were Scream 2 falters in the end, Scream 4 picks up steam and is, ultimately, more successful because of it.
Acting
Campbell, Cox, and Arquette are back and just as wonderful as ever. The new cast is a little more hit or miss. Panettiere fairs the best, and is easily the most likable of the new characters, but the others ain’t awful. The trouble is that the script doesn’t do any of these folks any favors. Alas.
Directing
Craven’s last go round – R.I.P. by the way – is a solid effort. He manages to match the Scream style with the more current trends while crafting a few groovy bits. Sure, the first two acts seem a little over done –can’t win them all – but Scream light is still pretty awesome. And once act three hits, all is well!
Script
The return of Williamson is a welcome return to the Scream of old. While the ideas at hand may work a little better on paper than they do in practice, the metaphors here are all kinds of fun. And, as always, the dialogue is fantastic.
Effects
Ghostface is all kinds of pissed off in this one! Besides the standard stabbings and gunshots (one in the crotch, mind you!) we get a strand of intestines, blood splashes, and a heck of a beating.
Highlights
Sure, we only really get one Ghostface call, but the Killer/Panettiere showdown is fantastic. The entire movie builds to it beautifully and the execution is fantastic.
Lowlights
I really didn’t jive to the police characters, Dewey notwithstanding. Anthony Anderson and Adam Brody are both questionable as cops while Marley Shelton’s Deputy Judy is grating.
Final Thoughts
Sure, it’s not perfect, but the return to the world of Scream is a welcome breath of fresh air. The ideas might be a touch too cerebral to hit fully, but fact of the matter is that the Scream series has always been a fantastic comment on the world of horror and Scream 4 is no exception. It’s a scream, baby!
Grade: B