Scream 4 Review: Surprisingly Scream Worthy

The original Scream is one of the most well-known horror films of my generation. Of course when a movie does that well, you naturally get a number of sequels. I was a bit leery when I heard there was going to be a 4th film. However, with so many of the original cast members signing back on – I figured there was hope.

It’s been 11 years since Scream 3 came out. Hard to believe right? But Scream 4 does a fantastic job at throwing you right back into the infamous town of Woodsboro. And with modern day technology, the locals have all taken to playing pranks on one another with the Ghostface App – a mobile app that will make your voice sound just like Ghostface. Technology continues to up the stakes as the film progresses, and we start losing cast members left and right.

In Scream 4, ten years have passed since Sidney Prescott was last visited by Ghostface. She’s managed to write a book about stepping out of the darkness and no longer being a victim… Only she’s about to become a victim all over again when Ghostface returns.

I found the constant references to poorly-done horror movies to be quite comical – especially in the first few scenes. It’s good to see that the viewers’ concerns about a 4th film are of equal concern to the writer. It’s almost as if Kevin Williamson is talking himself through what he must write in order to somehow out-do Scream 1-3. “There has to be an emotional connection,” one of the characters says, as she sits watching one of the Stab movies. “It’s just so predictable,” another character says shortly before meeting her demise.

Another truly amazing thing about this film is the star power. And if you’re a TV junkie, then you’re going to see more than your fair share of familiar faces including Pretty Little Liars‘ Lucy Hale, Life Unexpected‘s Brittany Robertson, The O.C.‘s Adam Brody, 90210‘s Shenae Grimes, Friday Night Lights‘ Aimee Teegarden, and Community and Mad Men star Alison Brie. The more well-known names are there as well including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin, and Rory Culkin.

I will give you one spoiler. Not all the above names make it through the entire film – though you probably could have guessed that. There’s honestly not a whole lot I can tell you without giving away the moments that truly make the film shine. For a 4th installment, I was truly impressed. I was engaged, entertained and surprised throughout the entire film. And while I guessed the killer before I discovered the identity – I also guessed everyone else at some point – it’s just what you do in a film like this. I will say there is a bit of twist at the end that you probably won’t see coming.

All in all, it’s a job well done and well worth going to check out this weekend. Scream 4 may have taken over 10 years to get here, but I think it was worth the wait.

Grade: B+
Official Website: http://www.scream-4.com/

Review By: Emma Loggins

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