With the new decade comes new rules for the Scream franchise. In an effort to revamp the horror movie experience, director Wes Craven toys with everything we thought we knew about fear–inducing flicks in Scream 4. The resulting movie will keep audiences on the edge of their seats while still engaging in the Scream films' patented tongue–in–cheek humor.
It’s the 10–year anniversary of the murders of Scream 3, and Sidney Prescott (Campbell) returns to her hometown to promote her self–help books and visit her Aunt Kate and teenage cousin Jill (Roberts), whose friends have an apt nickname for Sidney: the angel of death. And true to her reputation, it’s not long after Sidney's homecoming that a new Ghostface surfaces, prompting the old gang — including sheriff Dewey (David Arquette) and journalist Gale Weathers–Riley (Courteney Cox) — back to super–sleuthing action.
As usual, the film takes the form of a whodunnit mystery where anyone and everyone is a suspect. The novelty of the Scream films — their consciousness of the cliches of the horror genre and explicit effort to defy them — hasn’t worn off in the latest incarnation, with Craven pulling out all the stops in order to make a film more parodic than the last. It seems that the characters know what’s coming this time around and simply cast it off with a shrug.
Yet complacency does not replace entertainment. Whether intended or not, a sprinkling of laughable dialogue keeps the film’s mood playful and accessible to even the most squeamish audiences. Craven also offers a new sort of conclusion in this reboot, with the message in Scream 4 being to expect the unexpected.
The cast, which doubly functions as a who’s who of young Hollywood, deftly takes the reins from the series' veteran actors, outshining them in the process. Roberts in particular puts forth a fittingly understated performance as the new heroine, stepping into Campbell's well–worn shoes. Hayden Panettiere also excels as Roberts’ headstrong but loyal best friend. Surprisingly, the weakest acting comes from the returning actors. Arquette in particular seems to take his role too seriously, making for a silly, misguided portrayal.
Despite its nostalgic roots, Scream 4 is as modern as its audience. References to the 21st century abound, distancing the film from its '90s heritage. But the iconic elements of the franchise remain intact, making the film just as, if not more, enjoyable than its predecessors.
3.5/5 Stars Directed by: Wes Craven Starring: Neve Campbell, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere Rated R, 111 min.
