Scream 2(1997) Film Review

Rating: 4 stars out of 4, Thumbs Up.

Rated R For Language And Strong Bloody Violence.

2hrs/120min.

33 Uses of the F-word.

Ghostface: "What's Your favorite Scary Movie?"

Randy: "Showgirls, Absolutley Frightening."

Scream 2 is one of those sequels that not only lives up to the first film, but surpasses, the first film. Scream was a master achievement, Scream 2 is an even bigger one, which is interesting because this film was released just a little under one year after Scream. The first film was released on December 20, 1996, this one on December 12, 1997. Rarely to horror sequels live up to their predessescor, but this film just comes out on top.

 

Our beloved Sidney(Neve Campbell) is now a college student at Winsor college. After a murder at a screening for the film Stab, Sidney's past comes back to haunt her. Along with her is Gale(Courtney Cox), Dewey(David Arquette), Randy(Jaime Kennedy), Derek(Jerry O'Connel) and Mickey(Timothy Olyphant) to hunt down the killer(s) and stop the murders.

 

The performances are well done, The returning performers are exquiste as they were in the first film, but the newcomers shine in the smallest of roles. In the opening scene you have Omar Epps and Jada Pinkett Smith, you also have the lovely Sarah Michelle Gellar, and a cameo that refferences a line in the first film. In Scream, Sidney is asked who she would want to be played by in the movie adaptation of her life and she says Tori Spelling. Well she and Luke Wilson show up for a quick cameo. Last but not least is Laurie Metcalf as reporter Debbie Salt.

 

The violence is amped up 110%. The stabbings are brutal, and a lot more blood is shed. Does this help or denounce the film. Well, for me it does neither. I think it's just as violent as Scream. If you want to see something even more graphic, take a look at the opening scene of Saw IV. I also think that the movie is funnier than the first. Filled with great one-liners, such as the one mentioned above. It helps alleviate the tension, and good to take a breather every once in a while.

 

Neve Campbell has a better charachter arch. Her Sidney is more expierienced in these horrific killing, which is something no one has to go through. Randy is funnier than ever and even explains some rules to survive a sequel. 1. The body count is always bigger. 2. Carnage Candy! The deaths have to be more elaborate and 3. Never assume that the killer is dead.

Even though Scream 2 is better than the first, It's still not my favorite. The writing is much more well done, the directing is accentuated by Wes Craven(who directed all 4 of the films), the performnaces are well done, the kills are done better, the scares are done better, the comedy is done better, everything is done better, But it's still not my favorite.