SCREAM 2

		Review by Mike Oliveri
SCREAM MOVIE REVIEW SCREAM 3 MOVIE REVIEW SCREAM 2 - 1997 USA Release: Dec. 12, 1997 Craven-Maddalena Films / Konrad Pictures / Dimension Films / Miramax Films Rated: Australia: MA / Belgium: KNT / Chile, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, U.K.: 18 / Finland: K-16 / France: -16 / Germany: 16 / Hong Kong: IIB / Italy: VM14 / Mexico: B / Portugal: M 16 / Singapore: PG / Sweden: 15 / USA : R

Like most sequels, SCREAM 2 was very disappointing. However, in keeping up with the tradition SCREAM established, maybe it was written that way. But then again, it really stunk. But maybe it was written that way.

But then . . .

Ah, screw it. Whatever the reason, this movie just did not live up to the hype generated by the first film, even if it was intentionally written to parody the pattern most slasher Horror flicks tend to follow in a series.

SCREAM 2 opens as a young woman (cameo by Jada Pinkett: Tales From the Crypt: DEMON KNIGHT) and her boyfriend attend the opening of STAB, the film-within-the-film depicting events that took place in the first film (say that ten times fast, folks!). The ghost-faced killer murders them, essentially announcing his return.

He then moves on to the university heroine Sidney Prescott (Neve Cambell: SCREAM) is attending, and starts to kill off members of the local sorority. It doesn't take long for her to realize that the killer is more than a simple copycat, as he is familiar with what happened back in Woodsboro. Before long, the old gang is back together, including Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox: SCREAM), Dewey Riley (David Arquette: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, SCREAM, RAVENOUS), and Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy: ENEMY OF THE STATE). As before, Randy is the first to tie the events into a movie sequel, and to warn Sid about the behavior of the killer (and provide the viewer with the basic layout of the plot).

Some new characters make appearances as well, mostly to act as suspects. Reporter Debbie Salt (Laurie Metcalf: PACIFIC HEIGHTS, BLINK) is following the killings, and has the same nose for sensationalism Gale had in the first film. Sid's new boyfriend, Derek (Jerry O'Connel: MISSION TO MARS), becomes the focus of the suspicions. Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber: SPHERE, PHANTOMS) has been released from prison after the killers in SCREAM confessed, and he may or may not be out for revenge for the prison time he served because of Sidney. And finally there's the bitchy sorority sister CiCi (Sarah Michelle Gellar: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER).

Director Wes Craven (DEADLY BLESSING, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, and much more) provides us with some thrilling murder scenes, but unfortunately the plot is bland and the ending is bordering on the ridiculous. The script goes overboard trying to make the audience think one character is the killer, and the real killer comes out of left field. Sure, some people called it, but only because they guess that the least likely person would probably turn out to be the real killer.

And what's more, it barely makes sense. Sure, again, maybe writer Kevin Williamson (I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, THE FACULTY) intended to make it that way, as slasher sequels rarely make sense, but that doesn't make it excusable for this film.

A disappointment and the definite low point of the SCREAM trilogy. I give SCREAM 2 one shriek girl.

This review copyright 2000 E.C.McMullen Jr.

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