Review of Scream 4 (2011) by Rocknblues 8 — 26 Oct 2013

After taking a decade long break from the series, Craven and the original screenwriters comeback with what looks like the cash grab sequel that most probably thought it would be. The film opens up with a solid (if forced) scene before we learn that Sidney is back in town to promote her new self-help book and to reconnect with old friends Dewey and Gail. Naturally, that doesn't last long since Ghostface shows up to start making Sidney's life a living hell.

In addition to three of the main characters returning to the series, we get a new batch of young teens including Sidney's young cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) and Hayden Panetteire and a few other teens who are never intergraded into the story in a satisfying fashion. Vet actors like Anthony Anderson and Mary McConnell are also in the cast, but none of them really made an impact in the film either. The cast is actually fine (with the exception of Emma Roberts) but they're given so little to work with in this film. It just seems that they're nothing more than punching bags for Craven to deliver his not clever (or subtle for that matter) jabs at the newest generation. Sometimes he hits his targets, but there is some hypocrisy to be seen here. At times we have to hear characters ramble on about sequels, reboots and remakes. Things that we're all tired of.

The problem is that Craven has helped fund some of these remakes and reboots that he criticizes. Not only that, but he has helped fund reboots of his very own films! That presents a problem when he tries to relate the movie goers like me. How can he so blatantly grumble about things that he himself is guilty of? It tough to understand how he could have expected this to go over well since his hypocrisy is so obvious.

Overall, I'd say the film was better than part three. Neve looked as good as ever as Sidney, and it's great that Dewey and Gale are back, but sometimes it actually feels like a greatest hits from the few two movies. Only the murders are more brutal than before. And I'm one of the few that actually liked the ending for the most part.

The over the top satire of remakes aside, it's good enough to watch once if you go in with little expectations. Just don't expect it to feel as fresh as the original. But it's ironic that the reboots he helped fund are actually better than his reboot satire Scream sequel.

6/10.