Review
Scream
- Director
- Wes Craven
- Year
- 1996
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) mother was killed and she was left traumatized by the event, even though she is trying hard to live a normal life. Her boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) is a nice lad, and her slutty best friend Tattum (Rose McGowan) is always there for her. But a series of strange killings around people Sidney knows puts her world upside down. Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) is assigned to the case while a fierce, insensitive reporter, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), incessantly covers the events.
Director Wes Craven worked from a script by Kevin Williamson that satirized some of the material that even he was previously known for. They came up with a very bloody and violent movie which doesn't settle for the obvious and instead tries its hand at becoming a clever send-up of horror movies while adding an edge. Some of the characters here are movie buffs, they know what happens in scary movies and play with the notion that they are in one. This adds an ironic third dimension to a story that is supposedly playing it straight while delivering offbeat humor and being highly entertaining at the same time.
Take the infamous opening sequence. It borrows a little from Psycho but also adds a touch of modern pop culture and sets-up the audience for what to expect. It is genuinely terrifying but also smart and funny in its conception and execution.
After a series of murders (some of which are presented in true tongue-in-cheek fashion) the movie comes to its climax in a frat-house party (how surprising!) where all of the main characters (at least the ones still alive) meet up. This is where the big, suspenseful denouement takes place and after trying to come up with who the killer might be for the last couple of hours we get to a satisfactory and unexpected finale.
Neve Campbell is perfectly cast in the role of Sydney. She comes off as down-to-earth and rings true every step of the way, not only as a screaming queen but also as a dramatic powerhouse. Rose McGowan is also a hoot as her best friend, and Jamie Kennedy has some hilarious bits as one of their smart-ass friends. I’ve also got to say that David Arquette and Courtney Cox are tailor-made for their parts.
“Hello Sidney!”
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Comments
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Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Scream deserves 4 stars as it's a classic in its genre. At least for me. Too bad the sequel wasn't as good as the original movie and the third one was undeniably bad. I hated Scream 3. It tried to explain aspects of the first movie that were perfect and ruined the whole storyline. Too bad Kevin Williamson didn't work on it. I guess it would have been much better.Anyway just wanted to add that the coolest aspect for me was the mask of the killer. Remember that painting by Edward Munch, The Scream! It's the same face. I loved the ending (I would have never guessed what happened!) and the characters - especially Dewey. The references to horror classics like Nightmare on Elmstreet and Halloween made this movie worthwhile. I simply loved it! Yet I recommend to see the director's cut because the other versions are cut really badly.