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SCREAM 2 - 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 |
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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: DEMON
KNIGHT, THE MATRIX: RELOADED)
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 Smith (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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