Scream 4 Review

The first Scream movie was released in 1996, and changed the formula in which horror movies could be approached. The killer doesn't have to be in your dreams, or on the verge of being a zombie. It can be someone you know, someone you go to school with. The killer is smart, and actually thinks before acting. Using their obsessive knowledge of horror movies to make their own film.  This formula spawned 2 sequels (Scream 2-1997, Scream 3-2000) and gave birth to an iconic figure in Ghostface. Just hearing the "What's your favorite scary movie" phrase in that voice puts a smile on my face. Scream 4 brings back the formula, and shows us again that Wes Craven is the master of horror for a reason.

The movie takes place 10 years after the third film with Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returning to Woodsboro on a book tour she is promoting. Her cousin Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) is the focus of the story with her growing up in the footsteps of her famous cousin. Jill basically follows in the footsteps of Sidney from the first film. Her friends start dying off one by one as everyone tries to figure out who the killer is. The Scream films always have a smart reason for who the killer is and why they are killing, and this one is the best in my opinion. The film also has a genius opening. One of the best openings to a horror film I've seen. It also has a great deal of comedy, just like the rest and it's written well into the story. David Arquette reprises his role as Dewey Riley and Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers. Hayden Panettiere and Anthony Anderson round out the rest of the well known cast members. The story and acting is solid, especially for a horror movie.

Wes Craven horror films always have a certain feel to them unlike others in the genre. He seems to have a knack for staying with the times yet still sticking to his formula. The Scream films are what I like to call "Smart Horror". The killer has motive and reason, not just killing at will. They know that they are movies and they have fun with it. Like as the movies go along the cast points out what should happen next in a typical horror film and sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. The comedy of the films is what sets it apart from all others. It's actually well written comedic moments, and fun to see in theaters so you can laugh and jump with everyone. I do hope that this is the last of the Scream movies, because this is the perfect way to go out. I have nothing but praise about this film. It may be the horror buff in me, but this is the best horror film I've seen in years.

4.5/5