SCREAM 4 (2011)

Directed By: Wes Craven 
Written By: Kevin Williamson 
Cinematography By: Peter Deming 
Editor: Peter McNulty 
Music By: Marco Beltrami 

Cast: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panittiere, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Mary McDonell, Marley Shelton, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Lucy Hale Shenae Grimes, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Aimee Teegarden, Britt Robertson


Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately, Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger. --With four installments, this landmarks the Scream franchise as being one of the only horror franchises to have its main characters return for all its sequels.

This film manages to be surprisingly fun despite it being a late entry into what was supposed to be a trilogy now graduated into a saga.

Now I will admit SCREAM is one of my favorite films. It's sequel is ok. The third one is horrible and this one makes up for how bad the third one was.

I have a certain soft spot for the SCREAM series as it made me want to examine films more and become obsessive about details when it comes to cinema. It truly opened my eyes to horror films ad made me see that the possibilities of the genre are endless, though some would more characterize hear films as thrillers.

This film while fun goes back to the basics as a few scenes feel reminiscent of the original. Predicting who the killer isn't too hard yet when revealed plays like it was a tough nut to crack. This was one of the most disappointing aspects of the movie.

The character development of newer characters is poor, but that is most likely to accommodate the large size of the cast and wanting to showcase the original stars over the new stars. Some of the cast come and go so fast they Barely leave a mark do their disposal is never really felt.

Each of the new central characters is an archetype for one of the characters from the original: Jill (Sidney), Kirby (Tatum), Trevor (Billy), Charlie (Stu), and Robbie (Randy).

For the first time in the series, a CGI-added knife was used because Wes Craven wanted to avoid using prop knives that are rubber, cardboard and collapsible. Better looking technology wise, but saying goodbye to the old days of effects in a miniscule way is still sad

In the scene where Jenny explains to Marnie the story about the Stab movies, she says "Stab 5 has time travel, which is by far the worst".Wes Craven had the idea of time travel in dreams for "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4" but the studio rejected it.

This film like it predecessors also depends more on scares and surprises than any other scream film. Which at first was shocking to the point of being cruel which also works in the films favor of feeling sorry or at least something when characters die.

I can see why Wes Craven choose to comeback though supposedly he refused to come back and direct the film unless the script was as good as the first SCREAM. Here the film seems to have plenty of possibilities and ideas. That seem to overcome the actual material.

While most of the surviving cast are back they seem to be involved but ready to hand over the reins of the series to the newcomers and begin again anew, Then the film seems to change it’s mind and focus on the adults and it becomes a dance throughout the whole film as to the focus of the film and the series. Though by the end the film settles correctly.

As we have grown to know and love these characters the younger cast never lend themselves to us we really learn barely anything about them so its harder to connect and care about their fates as much as we do the older characters.

Kevin Williamson, the writer of this film, has expressed a subtle annoyance towards the release of the film. During production, producers Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein brought in Ehren Kruger (the writer of Scream 3) to polish up the script. Wes Craven later stated that the main ideas, story and concept of the movie were written by Williamson, with minor changes made by Kruger.

Supposedly this was a troubled production like quite a few of the last Wes craven productions (MY SOUL TO TAKE and CURSED) this seemed like it would follow in the set, with drastic last minute rewrites, leading to cast hanged, original series creator and screenwriter Kevin Williamson supposedly walking off the project. Though he still is credited as producer and writer.

The film comes across as polished but with a certain shallowness at it's heart. I could see how it could have been overhauled at least it's better than CURSED. Though it feels more like a slick meta-Hollywood version of a horror film that never feels genuine and real. Though more entertaining than SCREAM 3. At least that film keeps us in that film world and feels natural though misguided. This film looks better and feels smarter and is definitely sharp and funnier, Though feels removed and while it could have started it’s own franchise or at least renewed it. It never feels like it connects to the audience. Like it is too busy trying to think ahead of the audience and catch them of guard and fool them then play by the rules of the story and film. So that you feel continuously disconnected.

I might seem to be so harsh in my dissection of the film as I was a huge fan of the first SCREAM film and the franchise, No matter how disappointing the sequels might have gotten. After all that was when I first started writing suggestions in which I thought the film could be better and even better ways to make a sequel. Like I was a studio executive. This was when the internet was still new and me being slow to adapt to it. Wrote it on some fan message group page.

The film seems obsessed with updating itself from technology to the rules for survival, but then it goes old school for it's heart and themes.

The film is heavily critical of horror remakes. Notably, director Wes Craven has previously produced a handful of remakes of classic horror films, including CARNIVL OF SOULS (1962),THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977), and THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (the latter two being remakes of films he'd directed).

Everyone plays thier roles well. I can't say anyone leaves a mark in this film. Though Hayden panitierre is at least interesting enough that you want to see more of her character.

The film is funnier then I expected at times and seems more playful then it should be, but after awhile you get into he mix and start feeling it's rhythm. Though there is a ending, I feel there is more that can be said in this series The first Scream movie not to include Jamie Kennedy , not feature or even mention Cotton Weary, and not include a main love interest for Sidney.

The film while good still feels like filler, just as many actors here as big names and should have bigger roles, but are more like cameos here.

They also spoof and try to keep the spirit of killing a celebrity in the opening scene. The only problem is while the people are recognizable I would hardly call them stars or a star. The film digs Into the problem of modern horror.

The first entry in the franchise in which Sidney does not witness the killer slit a man's throat during the final chase scene. Scream 4 is the first film in the franchise not to be edited by 'Patrick Lussier', Wes Craven's long time editor. Since the third movie, Lussier has gone on to a directing career of his own that includes the remake of MY BLOODY VALENTINE which is one of the many horror film remakes mentioned in Scream 4.

Part of the problem with the film is it feels so glossy and not genuine almost like the story was a after thought.

I am extra critical since I love these series of films, though I will admit I liked the film more then i thought I would. I went in with low expectations And was pleasently surprised By how much I enjoyed the film. I even skipped it in theaters. Out of fear of being disappointed. I'm glad I waited as this isn't a feature I would marvel at on the big screen. It is inventive and entertaining enough for home viewing.

Despite it all it feels like a cash-in only the cast decides to come back to seemingly pass the torch to a younger generation. Which is nice but ultimately not needed. It gives the film.

The film suffered two casting changes in quick succession as shooting had begun. Lake Bell had originally been cast as Judy Hicks but was forced to drop out (which she announced via her Twitter account on June 24th 2010) due to "scheduling conflicts." She was replaced by Marley Shelton. Six days later, Lauren Graham, who was originally cast as Kate Roberts, dropped out also citing "scheduling conflicts" as well as "script changes." She was replaced by Mary McDonell.

According to Wes Craven on the director's commentary, the original opening would have taken place at a party celebrating Sidney's completion of her book, during which Ghostface would have attacked and Sidney would've been badly stabbed. The rest of the film would have then taken place three years later. However, this opening was vetoed by 'Bob Weinstien', who thought the time jump disrupted the flow of the film.

A certain sheen as it doesn't feel like a random reboot or straight to DVD material. Though it maintains one of the weaknesses that the series has had since it's sequels where each film has the central cast but then has hat feels like a guest star cast who don't really make an impact as they aren't real characters just targets as victims or suspects to throw off the audience. The supporting cast usually seems to be minor level stars who are gaining heat in their careers. The worst example SCREAM 3 where most seems miscast. It also leads to distraction as we are bombarded with cameos that just make the film overflow with characters and not In a inventive ensemble Robert altman-esque way.

Grade: B-