'Scream 4' is the latest installment in the vastly popular 'Scream' franchise. The original film spoofed the what horror genre was in the '90s. It was a huge hit. After 'Scream 3' wrapped up the series, Scream fans never expected to be receiving a fourth film, until Kevin Williamson came up with the perfect idea: making fun of what the horror genre is vastly made up of today…remakes.
The script by Kevin Williamson is pure genius; it combines the original cast members with a "new" version of each character of the 1996 'Scream.' It balances the leading original cast with this new generation quite effectively. Aside from the obvious witty dialogue, the wonderful thing about Williamson's writing is the little details he adds to the story. For example, there's a moment where the Deputy of Woodsboro asks Sidney if she remembers her from High School (Sidney doesn't remember going to school with her). "I was a lost boy and you played…..Tiger Lily."
The cast is no letdown. The 'Scream' Series has always attracted good actors, something most horror film series fail to do. Neve Campbell returns to the leading role of Sidney Prescott and while she is very effective, she doesn't have the meat to achieve the powerhouse performance she did in the previous installment. Courteney Cox tears back into Gale Weathers, and it's the definition of a knockout performance. Her character has undergone much character development over the series (she evolved from a nasty reporter to a woman in love). She blends the two in this one and she wraps arguably her best performance around her finger. David Arquette rounds out the surviving trio, and he does solid job, although gets overshadowed by his two leading ladies.
The standouts from the new cast were Hayden Panettiere, Marley Shelton, and Emma Roberts. Panettiere adds as much flavor as she can to her character playing Kirby the spunky best friend of Sidney's cousin Jill, who is played by Emma Roberts delivers a very surprising and disturbing performance. Marley Shelton is a alliance to the new cast, as she plays the creepy Deputy Judy Hicks. Great acting from the entire new cast, they form a true ensemble.
The thing that makes Scream 4 so special is that it not only continues the story of Sidney, Gale, and Dewey and begins the story of the new cast, but it combines and honors the first three films. It's almost like one big celebration of Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 3. It's a cherished treat for Scream fans. This is what remakes should try to do instead of just copy the original word-for-word.
To all Scream fans who have counted down 362 days since the release date was announced, shouldn't be too disappointed here. 'Scream 4' is a nice entry to my favorite movie series of all-time. The only problems fans may run into when seeing Scream 4 is the new tone of the film. They skewed the tone of a Scream film and the tone of a regular teen slasher Hollywood would produce today; 10/10.
I'd actually rank Roberts above Neve, too, my top performances of the film:
) (SCREAM