Scream 4, the fourth installment in the Scream horror series, is all about expectations. To expect something as original and edgy as the original Scream (1996) will result in a huge disappointment for moviegoers. However, to expect a film that is above mediocre and more reminiscent of the original Scream than its two prior sequels will more likely result in an enjoyable movie-going experience. That is as much as you can enjoy a bloody, high school slasher film, which could very well be a lot.
In Scream 4, there’s a new crop of unsuspecting teenagers at Woodsboro High who are the perfect victims for a sociopathic killer on the loose. Neve Campbell resurfaces to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott, the heroine of the first three films. Sidney has returned to her hometown to promote her new book which is based on her horrifying experiences that moviegoers witnessed in the previous Scream films. In Scream 4, Sidney has a cousin in Woodsboro, Jill (Emma Roberts), who now attends the local high school and reminds her of herself in her younger days. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, Sidney’s first trip back home is overshadowed by the shear horror that seems to follow wherever she goes. (My heart definitely goes out to this girl, because her life is such an utter nightmare.)
The silver lining in Sidney’s homecoming is that she is reunited with inept police officer Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gail Weathers (Courteney Cox), who were both so vital to her making it through the first three films. Luckily the young cast members new to the Scream franchise are guided by these veterans since things would be a complete train wreck if they were left on their own. That is not to say that these newcomers (Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, etc.) are horrible actors, but they lack a certain element that is the difference between “authentic” versus “cheesy” horror acting. No matter how far-fetched a storyline may seem, the Scream veterans have the ability to keep that tiny slice of credibility necessary to carry the plot. Additionally, I couldn’t help but long for the likes of Drew Barrymore, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, and Matthew Lillard, who collaboratively helped make Scream a classic of the genre.
As a huge fan of the original Scream, I must admit that I’ve found it difficult to embrace any of the sequels. Surprisingly, Scream 4 is probably the easiest one to like, but naturally pales in comparison to the original. With full intention of dating myself, the original Scream came out when I was in college and my fellow co-eds and I credit ourselves as the original pioneers of the dorm room pranks where we would call each other on our oversized cordless phones with that scratchy terrifying voice reciting all of the lines that made the original so great (aka “What’s your favorite scary movie?”) Though that scary voice is of course back in Scream 4, the youngsters are receiving calls on their iPhones and BlackBerrys which just isn’t the same. I believe that horror crank calls are far more terrifying when done from an obsolete landline as it allows for greater anonymity. For this reason, while watching Scream 4, it was hard to dismiss the thought that today’s technology could pinpoint a caller’s exact location on the grid thereby foiling a deranged serial killer’s scheme before it even begins.
But despite technological updates and the new cast of Scream 4, nothing beats that infamous black and white face ghost mask the hunting knife-wielding killer wears. Thanks for leaving that alone Mr. Craven.
