Scream 4 (2011)

Scream 4 is a strong sequel to the previous three films. The script is clever and you won't miss the horror , the mystery , the sarcasm , the sense of humour , the tension and the great acting that the previous films had , including some new interesting characters , one of them being portrayed by gorgeous Emma Roberts..However , even though "Scream 4" almost touches the perfection of the previous three films , I think the franchise has shown all it could show and that "Scream 4" was a strong finale for "Scream".

RELEASED IN 2011, Wes Craven's "Scream 4" chronicles events 10 years after the previous film (from 2000) when author Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns home to Woodsboro wherein she reacquaints with Sheriff Dewey (David Arquette) and Gale (Courteney Cox), who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) and her Aunt Kate (Mary McDonnell). Unfortunately, Sidney's presence also marks the return of the Ghostface killer, who has a healthy assortment of new young victims from which to choose (e.g. Hayden Panettiere & Marielle Jaffe). Marley Shelton plays the new deputy who stirs Gale's jealousy while Erik Knudsen & Rory Culkin play two slasher film geeks. Nico Tortorella is on hand as a likely suspect.While "Scream" (1996) tends to be deemed a standout slasher flick, I was never a big fan, despite some positives, like Rose McGowan, the numerous references to horror flick lore and the whodunit factor. Why not a fan? Because it tried to walk the balance beam between serious slasher and amusing parody, which created an odd vibe. It prevented me from buying what was going on as reality. The camp and contrivances kept screaming "This is all a joke," like Henry Winkler's weird principal. As such, I never found the movie scary despite some shocking elements and buckets of gore.Another negative for me was the host of unlikable, obnoxious or annoying characters: When most of the main characters are repugnant, it's impossible to care about them. Let 'em all get slashed to death for all I cared, lol. Then there's the ridiculously over-the-top last act, which was so contrived, cartoony and drenched in fake blood I just rolled my eyes in disbelief. All this was compounded by the clumsy and weak killer, which I suppose made sense once you eventually discovered the identity of Ghostface.As soon as I started viewing "Scream 4" I had more positive feelings toward the original because now the main characters and the fictional town of Woodsboro seemed so familiar and I was swiftly able to enter into their world, amusingly surreal though it may be. While this third sequel shares some of the original's problematic parts, like the overdone bloody climax, it fixed some of the negatives and is just all-around more palatable and entertaining, particularly the witty first act and the inventive climax, inventive as far as who the killer(s) is and their motivations.Unfortunately, cutie Panettiere looks almost anorexic (Note to women: Please quit starving yourself, most men DON'T like the too-thin-no-curves look). But I suppose this is made up for by Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell and Aimee Teegarden, brief though their appearances may be (Paquin is stunning).The film runs 111 minutes and was shot mostly in Michigan (too many places to note), but also Healdsburg, California. WRITER: Kevin Williamson.GRADE: B-

it's been a long time since I have seen the first three movies in the Scream franchise,so I can't compare this one to any of them. all I know is I thought the dialogue was well written,the acting was good and course there's the self referential aspect of the film.it was at least as bloody as its predecessors if I recall.not a bad thing,in this case.i also found it unpredictable.i wasn't sure who the killer was,even though I was sure I had it figured out.The scream series has always been a cut above most(but not all)horror films.there are a few exceptions of course.anyway I see there will be a fifth Scream movie in 2017.I,for one,am really looking forward to it.any way,for me,Scream 4 is a well deserved 8/10

Once hearing that Wes Craven was going to give Scream 4 a shot it was hard not to think that it was going to be just another stab at a payday, no pun intended. To delight of many though Scream 4 was a huge surprise that brought back the feel and atmosphere of the first two. The mixture of the old guard and the new class meshed really well together allowing other people to shine besides Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Emma Roberts and Hayden Paneittiere were absolutely stunning on screen and did terrific jobs portraying strong lead females as well. The duo of Erik Knudsen and Rory Culkin also provided great comedic performances and took over the job of "meta" kings that Jamie Kennedy has held in the series. What really took me by surprise was how well Wes Craven executed his ending of his Scream franchise capitalizing on a brilliant twist.