Synopsis

Here's the incredible follow-up to the smash hit phenomenon SCREAM! Away at college, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell -- SCREAM, WILD THINGS) thought she'd finally put the shocking murders that shattered her life behind her ... until a copycat killer begins acting out a real-life sequel! Now, as history eerily repeats itself, ambitious reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox -- SCREAM, SCREAM 3), deputy Dewey (David Arquette -- SCREAM, SCREAM 3), and other SCREAM survivors find themselves trapped in a terrifyingly clever plotline where no one is safe -- or beyond suspicion! Director Wes Craven (SCREAM) and hit-making writer Kevin Williamson (SCREAM, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER) team up once again and deliver the big screen's hippest, coolest, edgiest thrill-ride ever!

Official Review

The original blew us away. A year later, director Wes Craven took a ‘stab’ at the sequel, giving us a new reason to SCREAM.


It may not be as original as its predecessor- but SCREAM 2 stands out as one of the better sequels. However, Randy (Jamie Kennedy) does remind us that “… by definition alone, sequels are inferior films!” Unfortunately, SCREAM 2 is no different. But it does the trick.


Its two years after the murders in Woodsboro. Hollywood has sucked up the rights to Gale Weathers’ tell-all serial killer soiree and thrown the film ‘STAB’ into theaters. Staying true to the opening scene reputation from the first film, two college students, played by Omar Epps and Jada Pinkett-Smith, are murdered in cold blood during a preview of the slasher flick. It’s not as cinematically beautiful as Drew Barrymore’s iconic death, but it’s one hell of a start.


Sydney Prescott, reprised by Neve Campbell, is trying to live a life of normalcy despite her less than perfect past. She’s a typical college student with a fraternity beau-hunk boyfriend and an annoying roommate. But, when news of the murder spreads across campus, it is déjà vu for all of the returning characters- especially for our heroine.


Following in the first film’s footsteps, the Ghostface killers (again in plural) stalk Sydney, murder her friends and acquaintances, and earn serial killer status within the first 30 minutes. Mix in some humor, a new set of ‘rules’, and the age-old horror movie stereotypes, and you have yourself the second installment of a pretty good cut-throat franchise.


Despite a decent effort, there were some big disappointments in the film that can’t go without mention. Aside from the notable annihilation of horror geek Randy, the death sequences really weren’t that original. A whole lot of stabbing and Buffy the Vampire Slayer being thrown off of a balcony is hard for me to swallow. There’s even a lack of gore, which was a disappointment considering Randy’s sequel comparison that boasted more of the good stuff. In fact, there’s not a whole lot of blood period. In some ways it’s what I expected for a concept that was thrown together as a cash-cow follow up. In no way did it ruin the film, but it didn’t help make it a must-see classic either.


For what it was, SCREAM 2 was a befitting second coming to the original. The body count was higher. The twists and turns make you think. And Ghostface made a pretty good comeback- even if Sydney again wins the battle of good vs. evil. Overall, Craven did a remarkable job of piecing together a fun, entertaining follow up to the original. It was a hard reputation to live up to, and though it missed the mark more than once, it fleshed out the story of girl meets serial killer.


Now that’s a love story I can endorse.


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