Listening2Reason

24 May 2012

Not scary but funfunny--evolution of horror comedy

I think that 15 years ago, when the first Scream came out no one wasexpecting to be so throughly entertained, so it had the element ofsurprise on its side. That kind of lightning will never strike twice.Any films that followed it would be default be not as good.Still, I must say Scream 4 is definitely worth it for horror fans of anewer generation though the film can definitely be faulted for beingmore clever without being scary or as suspenseful as the other films. Ithink the film is just one big reinvention, and since its hard to scarepeople who are self-aware, why even try? That sounds defeating, but itseems that writer Kevin Williamson is not beyond critiquing that whichhe had previously reinvented so many years ago. It's kind of a bitterfilm in that sense.All that said, this film is a step in the right direction for horrormovies because it knows it can't be as clever as the first Scream andsomehow finds a way to be clever on its own terms and in somewhat of adifferent direction (I mean the villain castrates a man for heaven'ssake---that would never have happened in Scream 1). A lot of the scenesare taken directly from Scream 1 tongue-in-cheek to combine the oldapproach to horror with the new, and the dialogue actually is great tohear with Kevin Williamson being a much missed horror screenwriter astalented as any in the genre right now. It has more deaths, funnierdeaths,and is essentially a comedy about horror, whereas the original(Scream 1) was half horror, half comedy (different takes on the samematerial, I'd say). Strategically, this may be due to the fact that thehorror spoof series of Scary Movie have done better than the Screammovies.Aside from the fun dialogue and plot referencing, several of the laughscome from actions characters take. I was laughing for several of thelast 15 minutes of the movie with one of the characters smashingthemselves against glass, etc. and the same character's meltdown likewe've never seen in a Scream film. And the campiness of some of thesescenes reminded me of other great Wes Craven moments in films. Thoughthis Scream's scenes might top them in terms of how fun they are forthe audience. The acting was actually decent, with Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettierestealing many scenes. Neve Campbell as Sid is excellent though.Courtney Cox, Erik Knudsen, and Allison Brie are also fun to watch inthis movie delivering some key funny lines. I thought the ending wasfun and the unmasked villain was the best of the series...

Shawn Burke

24 May 2012

Im going to slash your eye lids open so you cant blink while I stab you in the face!

I usually don't write reviews for movies, but this one is an absoluteMUST.So we all know the story. I mean we're 4 movies in now, c'mon! SydneyPrescott is the survivor of every single set of killings while DeweyRiley catches the guy and Gale reports it. No twist in this one otherthen being taken into a stage of deja vu with us being transported backto where it all started. Woodsboro. Sydney returns to her hometown on abook tour for her new book titled "Out of Darkness". The night beforeher return, two girls are brutally murdered. So as her stay continues,so do the murders. Using the plot of the original STAB movie, this newgeneration Ghostface slaughters and shows no mercy. The rules of horrormovies have changed as so has his. BUT will Sydney stay the ultimatesurvivor or finally become the victim after 15 years? The movie, for lack of a better word, ROCKED. For Scream fans(including me) this will not disappoint. It completely makes up for theatrocity that was Scream 3. Wes Craven has not lost his touch in anyway. Kevin Williamson's writing remains strong and the performancesremain immaculate. I loved every nod that they had to the original.They fit in perfectly.As always you're taken on a roller coaster of OH MY GOD THAT HAS TO BETHE KILLER...Whoop, they're dead. And it will be an endless cycle untilyou have the final suspects and the killer finally takes off the mask.Of course we are graced with the humor of the original characters withGale's attitude, Dewey's goofy personality, and Sydney's badassreputation. The humor of the new characters (specifically Kirby) willhave you remember why we love Scream so much. The opening, in myopinion, is tied with the original Scream. Two completely differentways to open up the movie, but with the same exact purpose.Your emotions through the ending will be changing rapidly so beprepared. My heart was racing non stop for the last 30 minutes of themovie. There's absolutely no way that any true Scream fan will NOT lovethis double take climax. I'm looking forward to the 2 more sequels tocome.Gets a 10 out of 10 rating from me just because...well...it's Scream.And of course the reasons listed above.Welcome back Ghostface!

Matthew Toomey

24 May 2012

My biggest grievance is that the movie lacks suspense when required.

MikesIDhasbeentaken

23 May 2012

shpitspingboya

Scream is and always will be one of the best slasher films ever made.People will come back and say what about 'Halloween' or 'BlackChristmas' (which is amazing) or even 'Peeping tom', as this filmcredits as the 'first slasher film'. I'm sure if i was around when peeping tom came out i'd have found itscary back then, but the fact is films have progressed, and people thatmoan that horror films aren't what they use to be need to realize that.Scream sparked a new era of slasher films, which was amazing... untilscream 3. After that, the genre was dead. since then, clinging ontowhat i could get, as a lover of the slasher culture, i've found myselfliking films such as 'fear island'!!... that would never have happenedin the 90's. So when I heard the Scream franchise was returning, i was excited, butalso worried it would turn out like the previous installments. I cantell you now, Scream 4 is a good slasher film, no matter what thepretentious twats on this site may say, you will keep guessing who thekiller is and you will still be surprised.This film has what you expect, but unlike many films of the same class,it actually delivers. Yes the main characters are a little too old tobe staring in a teen horror film, and courtney cox looks like she'smelting into Janice Dickenson. also, the Hayden girl from heros,donning a mans haircut, and named after an 80's computer game, is veryannoying, and your left hoping the future of the genre doesn't lie inher or any of her friends hands.All this aside, if you like scream... or any slasher ever made, youwill like scream 4. A light relief from the Saw \ Hostel type gore feasts most horror filmstry to replicate.

ThomEure

22 May 2012

Lets Keep Screaming!

Fifteen years ago, I saw the original Scream during its openingweekend. The box office for that opening was relatively low, typicallymeaning that the film was destined to be less than a success. How couldthis be? It was the best genre film I had seen in a long time. However,each weekend for several weeks, the box office grew. Word of mouth madethe original Scream a box office success.Attending Scream 4 during its opening weekend, I found a return to thefeel of the original. It successfully mixes some witty comedic momentswith suspense...and let's not forget gore. It also managed to pull offa pretty good twist ending. It seems that Scream 4 managed to do whatmany sequels or remakes try to do and fail, and that's bring a freshtwist to the genre. It also managed to reinvent the franchise with itsgood-natured take on the original and inspiration of the remake trendcreating new rules for the sequel.Box office results for the opening weekend are being deemed as lessthan impressive. I say to my fellow Scream fans who may not haveventured out to see Scream 4 this past weekend - GO SEE IT. You willnot be disappointed. Well, some of you may not...true fans will not.

arriaga-rachel

22 May 2012

This movie does NOT deserve a 7

This movie is by far one of the worst movies ever....OK that is being alittle harsh but it does NOT deserve almost 7 stars. There isn't muchyou can expect form a 4th remake but please do not waste your money. Itis a good movie to rent...redbox or download but it is not worth 11dollars like I just wasted. corny lines, predictable parts and an OKending. Not worth it please wait to watch it and save ur money. I theopening scene with its false starts will do nothing but annoy you. Theacting is not bad it is actually good but great acting does not save apoorly written script. I really think that Wes Craven did this fornothing more than a paycheck in the mail.

ashokvangala

21 May 2012

Fantastic Sequel

Review: Good Comeback by Scream Franchise. The first Scream movie wasfantastic but the sequels weren't that good. This, the 4th moviesomewhat redeems the damage that was done in the previous 2 sequels.The movie is not entirely predictable, a few parts maybe, but for themost part original and unpredictable. The old cast is as amazing asever, as good as they were in the original. However, the new cast alsoshines as well.The gore factor has also been ramped up in this one which is cool -very bloody deaths. The ending was a surprise...Don't avoid this movie thinking it's going to be as lame as Scream 2 &3 because it's not. Scream fans will love it.

Kostas Chiotleis

21 May 2012

Totally waste of my time..

I saw scream 1,2 and 3 at my teenage years. I thought of them as quitegood scary movies back then.. Well if I was a director, and 11 yearsago made some good scary moves, and suddenly thought about making asequel,i wouldn't realize it if I didn't know I had not something newto say. The move was totally crap. I am actually looked to me more likean other scream parody than a real horror film. Totally silly ,80's ,Bmove quotes like "You hang up on me and I'll cut through your neckuntil I feel bone!  ","Well, it's time for someone new to die " Thecasting? Worse.. not a surprise those scream is the best movie thoseactors played. And David Arquett.. omg, he was really funny!

Eric D. Snider

20 May 2012

In many ways, Scream 4 is exactly the kind of dumb, mechanical slasher movie that Scream was talking about.

Philip Keenan

19 May 2012

They Finally Did It!

I grew up with the Scream films since I was 8 - which was when I firstwatched Scream 1996. By the time Scream 2 released on DVD I had vividnightmares of Ghostface stalking me outside my house. When I wentthrough my faze of horror movies Scream was always the one that Iloved. The start is the most memorable part of the film. It left me speechlessand shocked with it's complex and playfulness and self aware humor thatit played with. When we are finally reintroduced back to Woodsboro withSidney, Gale and Dewey I was suddenly in my element. I felt as though Iwas back in the 90's; not only are we reunited with the iconicGhostface and the stars, Neve, Courtney and David, but the film alsolooks, feels and sounds like a 90's film without being outdated. Its warm cinematography, tight shots, dutch tilts, catchy soundtrackand the genius of Kevin Williamson's script flowed together creatingthis satisfying sequel which was worth waiting for. Sidney Prescott is now much stronger in this film; this time shebattle's Ghostface, confronting his first appearance and helping ournew younger characters as she knows the tricks and suspicions of trusttowards the other sinister characters. The new characters fit well into place, Emma Roberts, Hayden Peneteire,Nico Tortorella, Marley Shelton, Rory Culkin, Alison Brie, Adam Brodieall deliver the most pleasing comedic performances. The twist caught me off guard; you will never guess who the killer is!Although it felt anti-climatic and almost too-soon of a revelation, itstill made it worth watching as our killer handled his/her post-revelation-performance even more twisted and even funny at the sametime. The film is not like Halloween 4, Saw VI, Nightmare on Elm St 4 orFinal Destination 4. It honors the original very much and its one ofthe few sequels that have left me feeling satisfied, scared, thrilledand inspired. Scream 4 left me speechless and lost for words. Everynow and then Ipick up the DVD and think "oh my god... they actually finally did it."Thank god Neve, David and Courtney returned with Wes and Kevin.The film is satisfying on its on. I don't mind is Scream 5 neverhappens, but I'd love for it to happen.

ShadowsHeart09

18 May 2012

Highly Recommended!

This movie was amazing! Sequels usually aren't as good as theoriginals, but this sequel was just as good as the others. It adds asmuch suspense and humor as the other films. It is better than the thirdin my opinion, and is just as good as the first two. I promise you thatyou will love this movie and the ending will really surprise you. Thecharacters were all very interesting, and a good amount of them wheretreated as if they could be the killer, which was great, because youdon't you who it will be until the end. The character Sydney is stillas powerful and brave as she was in the other films. It was a very goodfilm with good acting. Highly recommended!

Anders Bjerg

18 May 2012

3rd one was bad, this one makes up with that...

Even though there's a lot of people hating on the 2nd movie it'sactually my favorite in the series. The 1st one is of course a classic,but the 3rd was not even good at any points in my opinion. Silly,stupid and just awful to look at.Then so many years later a 4th one is made and my good my hopes werehigh for this one! I liked the way it was done, that it kinda made"fun" of some of the others in the series and of course still had thatclassic "Scream"-humor to it. The only thing that disappointed me wasthe plot. I'm sorry but that was a little too stupid in my opinion anddidn't make sense at all. Rest of the movie was great and exitingthough and definitely worth a watch for fans of the movies, and horroroverall.7/10 WATCH IT!

18 May 2012

Great Addition to the Scream Series!

As a fan of the original Scream trilogy, I genuinely enjoyed this film.As an addition to the Scream series, it demonstrates a great example ofwhat is very popular as to what occurs today with many horror movies: ARemake. As a movie that put a spotlight on the "Rule" process to thepeople enjoying the horror genre, it clearly follows, but, with atwist. In this movie, since horror genre movies have become toopredictable, the characters amend new rules that now also apply totoday's horror remakes, since we have become "savvy to the originalrules." The movie is a new, modern-day Scream that will have youguessing and very, very shocked to find out who the killer is. It usesthe original rules to throw everybody off (and I mean EVERYBODY) andgives a very suspenseful feeling that really is bloodily fantastic andreally does out-do the original Scream from start to finish, with thesame star and couple of the original coming back to do what they dobest: SURVIVE! If you are at all a fan of the first Scream movie, youwill LOVE this so-called "Remake". Packing the original gang and rulesof the original film, and adding some new faces to a whole new modernworld, to show the old and new audiences just how badly the rules haveevolved to fit this generation of Scream. SUMMARY: If you are a fan ofScream, you will love it!

Ross Van Volkingburgh

17 May 2012

Better than most but still not cutting it.

Final went to see Scream 4....... to fast in scene use, progression,and not enough smart dialogue. The killer would never attack so manypeople in a night. It is always about a statement not a body count.Technical issues all around with the actual physics and biology.Neither Character that played the killer role could in fact do some ofwhat was done. Adrenaline or not. The characters died to easy, andbleed out to fast. Not enough dirty, and grit! Emma Roberts role wasonly made less believable by her physiology. It was laughable to evenconsider her as physically capable as she was. The survivor characterswere not used well in their roles, not only would they be more armedbut more capable than a couple of teenagers. Directors need to get itthrough their head that characters do not always equal cannon fodder.The use of introducing new characters seemed rather fruitless. Onewould think the reason to use new blood is to introduce new element toplay off. The comedy should have been more subtle. I remember Screamthe original trilogy being moody. Set the mood! The other real elementmissing was the: who can you trust instinct. The whole Stab movie thingshould be played out from now on.Entertaining? Yes! Better than most horror movies that have come backspecially with the crap-tasm of todays horror. Here's to Scream 5making use of it's characters. Also a garage door could not do that!! Iwould have to say the best kill for me, or at least the more believablewould be Olivia. That was physical and brutal. The actual eventsalthough did happen kind of quick, should be looked at as smart and apractical use of methods for the killer. The writing was also quitefunny in comparison to the earlier movies. Good? Bad? You decide!

Ollie Bridge

17 May 2012

Predictable.

I wasn't expecting much from this film as Scream 2 and 3 weredisappointing to say the least. Facebook, Saw and other references ofmodern culture are featured to make the audience aware that the movieis set in a new decade.Many of the death's and scares are predictable but the plot twists aresimilar to that of the first instalment of the horror franchise. Themix of characters is interesting as it features new, modern charactersas well as the familiar 3, David Arquette, Courtney Cox and NeveCampbell.I felt that the character reactions to horrific situations wereunrealistic as they reacted almost normally.The blood and gore were the highpoint for the film as more detail andthought went into the murders.It was definitely an improvement to the previous 2 Scream movies, andthe blood and gore are improvements.

dee.reid

16 May 2012

Scream 4 - Dont mess with the original!

I think it's safe to say that 15 years after "Scream" (1996)single-handedly breathed new life into the slasher movie genre (thusigniting a new wave of slasher movie imitators) and to a greater extentthe horror genre as a whole, the sarcasm, wit, and cynicism thatcharacterized that popular 1996 horror hit has finally faded.The latest "Scream" entry, this year's "Scream 4," is proof of that.Wes Craven has directed all four films so far, with screenwriter KevinWilliamson penning each and every script. While said wit, cynicism andsarcasm were a welcome change in "Scream" and its sequels, it did notpass onto its like-minded followers. It suddenly seemed hip and cool ifcharacters seemed to KNOW they were in a horror movie and were beingstalked & slaughtered by a masked killer, as "Scream" had popularized,but it didn't extend to other like-minded films that followed suit andtried to cash in on its popularity."Scream 4" is probably the last time this type of knowingself-awareness and hipness will ever work in a horror movie in thepost-"Scream" era. I've been following the "Scream" movies for yearsand the films that they subsequently inspired; the "Saw" and "Hostel"films are evidence of that (though I will acknowledge a glowingfondness/weakness for "Saw") and they even get humorously deconstructedhere by actresses Lucy Hale, Shenae Grimes, Anna Paquin, and KristenBell in hilarious pre-credit cameos.The plot to "Scream 4" is well, basically, a rehash of the first"Scream" movie, but here that's not necessarily a "bad" thing:somebody, as usual, has taken their love of scary movies one step toofar, and as the 15th anniversary of the original Woodsboro Murdersrapidly approaches, a new pair of "Ghostface Killers" are on the loose.These new anniversary murders also coincide with original survivorSidney Prescott's (Neve Campbell) return to town on her book tourpromoting her new book "Out of Darkness." Also along for the ride areseries regulars Sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and his wife GaleWeathers-Riley (Courteney Cox), plus newcomers Sydney's teenage cousinJill (Emma Roberts), her friend Kirby (Hayden Panettiere), Jill's exTrevor (Nico Tortorella), Deputies Hoss and Perkins (Adam Brody andAnthony Anderson, respectively), and a pair of high school film geeksRobbie (Erik Knudsen) and Charlie (Rory Culkin)."Scream 4" had this viewer on the edge of his seat from the word "go."The hilarious pre-credits sequences are a clear indication of where themovie is going, and that is reboot and sequel territory. The joke hereis obvious: "Scream 4" is meant to be a parody of Hollywood's currentfascination of remaking or rebooting classic horror and sci-fi movies,and how Hollywood almost always ends up getting it wrong (I may havejust spoiled here, but I'm honestly not really sure). The lesson here,is also clear: "Don't f**k with the original!" There's also a scathingindictment of our culture's fascination with "instant celebrities" -you know, like the Kardashians, the "Jersey Shore" kids and ParisHilton, for example - those who become rich & famous for doingabsolutely nothing and if they do do something, it's usually somethingmost of us would not want our names associated with.With that said, Craven hasn't lost his touch in keeping the scares andlaughs coming at us from left and right, with the film's keenself-awareness and hipness. And neither element is done on the cheap;they're genuine and not on the rehash tip, even as this movie clearlydemonstrates everything that's wrong with reboots and remakes nowadays.In that case, Hollywood, heed this movie's advice!10/10

phd_travel

14 May 2012

Pretty good

Twists and turns and lots of stabbings that don't give you a chance toavert your eyes. It's very graphic but somehow comical so it's not toohorrible. The story is quite good for this kind of movie could beirritating but it isn't. If it is a finale for the series it's quitegood. Don't really need another one after this.Lots of young A list female TV stars of CW and ABC family TV populatethis movie. Courtney Cox looks great but Neve Campbell is a bit puffynow. What happened to the slim dancer? Emma Roberts stars too. The guysapart from Adam Brody and David Arquette are a bit B list.Worth a watch for fans of the series.

imatthewright

13 May 2012

Loved Scre4m

Amazingly Clever, chilling, and funny. Second best movie in the series.Scream 2 and 3 were lacking components that set this film high abovethe others in this series. Easily another addition to the slasher flickhall of fame. The biggest body. The goriest kills. Thte craziestkillers.When you think you have this movie's killers figured out thinkagain. Go see Scre4m. It is fantastic. Best in the series next toScream. Amazing beginning, definitely different from what you think isgoing to happen. Totally different ending from what you expect. Killsare way more extreme like the trailer states. A had a few problems witha few make-up wardrobe goofs but overall a B+

brandon09

09 May 2012

I LOVED SCREAM 4!! Best Since the Original

I saw Scream 4 the Friday it came out and I just would like to sayWelcome back Scream!! This movie to me was very good, fun, funny,scary, and Brilliant! It was so great to see Neve Campbell back asSidney Prescott I truly missed her character. She is no more a victimbut instead a fighter and a Strong Women mentally, physically andemotionally! Courtney-Cox is Back as the Bitchy Gale who is dealingwith a Writers Block and is so Bored with her life for the past 10years and once Sidney is back in town and killings start to happen shebecomes excited again doing everything from crashing parties withhidden cameras involved (ala. Scream) and Hiring people to film herinvestigation! Dewey is now the Town Sheriff and is more matured andfun and lovable as always! The new generation of victims/suspects are agreat addition to the franchise with a few personal surprises. Thebiggest surprise to me was Emma Roberts who going in i was not sure howshe was going to do in this movie as far as acting. let me just Say shereally surprised me and to me this is a big turning point for hercareer! Lets just say she is no nickelodeon actress anymore! Hayden Wasmy favorite of the new generation she was just the definition ofAwesome. Nico Tortorella was great too even though he wasn't used asmuch as the others. Marielle Jaffe as Olivia was great and I feltreally bad for her character once it became her time. and of courseRory Culkin did great. The new deputy's (Anthony Anderson, Adam Brody,& Marley Shelton) were a great team and all felt like Dewey in thefirst. They were very funny! The opening was INSANE I will just leaveit as that!! It's not better than Scream Drew opening but its on parwith scream 2 opening! Its shorter than all of them but it gets itspoint across and delivers the goods! Great Movie I hope everyone willtake the chance to go see scream 4! Scream 5 I hope you get made causeIm ready

DubDylan

09 May 2012

Well worth watching

It's a film well worth watching. I know that many of the more maturereviewers would claim that it can't live up to the originals, but I amnot a mature person I am only a teenager. I have seen the previousfilms. With out a doubt the first film is the best one. People seem tobe reviewing this film as if were a remake. It is not, so it is notreally comparable to the first three. This installment is not as scaryas the first three, it has more fun in it. I didn't get many scarymoments but my girlfriend did, she even screamed at the top of herlungs once. I like the way they added a modern twist to it by using thecameras. However they could have developed on that much more byincorporating the footage into the movie, of for it to be shown on theinternet and people can actually see it all happening (the othercharacters)I am very happy that all of the survivors of the original films were inthis one, but Sydney seemed to be pushed to the sidelines. The newcharacters were not developed enough. I still have it a 9 because even with its flaws I really enjoyed themovie. I would definitely recommend that you go and see it now. I can't wait for Scream 5. :P