That the Scream franchise has yet to do a 3d movie or one set in space is the actual crime here.
Scream 2 (1997): 8 out of 10: is the thrilling second installment in the Scream franchise, directed by Wes Craven. Set two years after the events of the original Scream, the movie shifts its focus to Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who is now attending Windsor College in Ohio while trying to move forward from the traumatic events of the past.
However, her fresh start is hindered when a movie, “Stab”, based on the gruesome murders in her hometown, is released. The film premiere sparks a new series of copycat killings on campus, with the victims being murdered in the order that they were killed in the “Stab” film. Once again, Sidney finds herself at the center of this horrifying mystery, along with some old friends and new acquaintances.
The re-emergence of Ghostface forces Sidney, along with news reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and former police deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette), to confront their fears and uncover the identity of the new killer. “Scream 2” masterfully combines suspense, horror, and self-aware humor to deliver a captivating sequel that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the final reveal.
The Good
The Good: Scream 2 has an excellent cast and surprisingly good pacing for a slasher flick that runs two hours. Instead of doing my usual Good, Bad, Ugly review style, we are going to mix things up with random thoughts.
Very Random Thoughts while watching Scream 2
You know Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair is really short in this movie. It was like she was trying out for G.I. Jane or something. (In my defense, G.I. Jane came out the same year as Scream 2, so at least the joke is topical.) If you need any example of how good the casting is for Scream 2, the first two victims are Jada Pinkett Smith and Omar Epps.
And yes, I agree with the Omar Epps. I would pay $7.50 to see Sandra Bullock naked.
You know the Scream movies are old when they have house phones and star 69. Do kids today even know what star 69 is? It sounds like a porn parody of Star 80. Do kids today even know what Star 80 is? Or a porn parody, for that matter?
I got to disagree with the film class here on sequels better than the original. Now I’m assuming House II: The Second Story sucks and that was the joke. And certainly I will give them T2 and Aliens. They are two of my go-to’s on a list of good sequels, but I really don’t think Godfather part II is better than Godfather. The right answer, by the way, is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I have got to admit, though, no matter the quality of the film House II: The Second Story is a clever title.
Scream 2 fits my Sarah Michelle Gellar rule, which is I like movies with Sarah Michelle Gellar in them. It’s not much of a rule, but it’s mine.
So everyone’s back from Scream. Well, not everyone. Drew Barrymore, for some reason, is not back. But they got most of the rest of the cast from Scream.
FINE: Fucked up: Insecure: Neurotic: Emotional. I will have to remember this. That’s a good line.
I need to rewatch The Faces of Death movie sometime. I saw it as a kid. I wonder how it will hold up.
So killing Sarah Michelle Gellar was a surprise and isn’t that her boyfriend from Buffy as Neve Campbell’s boyfriend in this? I’m pretty sure it is (I was wrong, I mistook Jerry O’Connell for Marc Blucas)
Is that Portia de Rossi? That is Portia de Rossi. I also recognize the sorority sister next to her from somewhere. (That turned out to be Rebecca Gayheart.)
You can actually see the chemistry between David Arquette and Courteney Cox. They really make for a delightful couple. Thier storyline is easily my favorite in the film.
I see the Pepsi is getting their money’s worth
Jerry O’Connell singing “I think I love you” like he was in Top Gun is easily the scariest thing in the movie
The movie within the movie “Stab” with Tori Spelling in the lead is hilarious. I would watch the full version just for the Heather Graham shower scene.
I love the black cameraman (Duane Martin). Reminds me of Roger from Night of the Demons. When Duane gets around to reading Courtney Cox’s book (Now a major motion picture) and finds out the last cameraman was gutted and/or slashed. His nopeing right out of the movie is a stand up and cheer moment.
If I were to have a bad or ugly segment in this review, I would have included Scream 2 being a little too self aware with all The Friends references
Shooting the killer while they’re down in a serial killer movie is acceptable and excellent. My second stand up and cheer moment, after the cameraman nopeing right out.
In Conclusion
In Conclusion: Scream 2, like its predecessor, gets away with the whole “characters are aware they are in a horror movie and know all the tropes” gag. This is due to top-notch actors and an excellent and clever script by Kevin Williamson. Note to other filmmakers, do not try this at home.