SCRE4M

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
APRIL 24, 2011

Walking into “Scream 4”, I wanted to check out the beginning and see what it was. I ended up staying for the entire film. Not because it was a sheer genius or anything, but because it was entertaining enough to hold my interest. The “Scream” franchise has always been on my good side (or rather my neutral side). Nothing was remarkable about the original trilogy, but the series was a step above the regular horror releases. “Scream 4” can poke fun at itself while still entertaining with the scares.

Now bear with me because it has been some time since I viewed the original trilogy, but I always enjoyed the “whodunit” feel of the films. You were never quite sure who the killer was, and the filmmaker and writers had a good time convincing you it was almost everyone in the movie. You are usually surprised when you find out who the killer is. The same is the case with the newest sequel.

The newest “Scream” cast has a natural feeling about it. Hayden Panettiere steals the show in her supporting role as a friend. Her poise in front of the camera tops anything she ever did in the “Heroes” series. Emma Roberts also continues her impressive string of roles. Though her part is of the Neve Campbell persuasion (Neve Campbell’s character even says so), she comes out of her shell in a way that genuinely blew me away.

David Arquette and Courtney Cox have become caricatures of themselves in these films and have proven that they have reached the end of their peaks (if you consider the “Scream” franchise their heights). However, having them justify the film’s continuance was much warranted. I feel that without them, it would feel like a reboot instead of a sequel (much like the failed attempt at rebooting “Nightmare on Elm Street”).

“Scream 4” is simply fun. It is fun to watch the mayhem continue ridiculously. To me, it comes off as a feat to be able to make an audience roll its eyes, laugh, and shriek all in unison. The ending alone proves the strength of the writers behind the film and plays true to the state of our youth and their twisted views on being famous (trying not to spoil anything).

Whether or not the film does well at the box office, “Scream 4” will introduce the “Scream” franchise to a younger generation and probably result in many viewers checking out the originals. It is hard to say that I would not mind if they went ahead with a fifth installment, but for now, I will enjoy this newest film and not hold my breath, as eleven years is a long time, and anything can happen.