Random Movie Series Review - Scream

 

Some of you will remember some time ago, I spent one October reviewing many of the iconic slasher horror franchises and having now seen all 6 films, I can now finally review the Scream films. Created originally by the late Wes Craven fresh from his Nightmare on Elm Street stint, it was one that had something that none of the other franchises had (well maybe except for Child's Play in recent years); multiple people playing the same main character. The main character being Ghostface who, at this point, is quite simply an identity that the killers in each film end up using. Whether it will become a being of itself, is anyone's guess. But yeah, that's the big twist of the series. So let's take a look at all the films, including all the ones Wes Craven made and the two most recent films including the recently released Scream VI:

Scream

Much of the franchise is set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell) is a high school student who one day becomes the target of a mysterious killer in the town. She and her friends must stop this fiend before any more people become targets for this killer, known to wear a Halloween costume and goes by the identity of Ghostface (voiced by Roger L. Jackson). One thing I do enjoy in the films, is the idea of making satires of different genres. If done right, like in the Three Flavour Cornetto trilogy, then you are doing some good there and the first Scream, does just that. It deconstructs the slasher genre and becomes a reoccurring theme in the sequels, while introducing us to a brand new (at the time) killer in the already packed slasher horror genre. The killer in question being unique in that it's only an identity and not always the same person or, later on, people every time. 9/10

2

Set two years later, Sidney and the survivors of the first film, are now students at Windsor College in Ohio. A copycat killer, under the guise of Ghostface, is on the hunt, and it's once again up to Sidney and her pals to survive yet again or be killed. Plus some dude makes an in universe film based on the events of the first film which they call Stab. The great thing about this sequel is that it's a slasher sequel done right. It pokes fun at horror conventions and the idea of terrible sequels to horror films, with itself probably being the first not to fall victim to the same fate. Another winner from Wes Craven. 9/10

3

Set three years after the last film (I'm sensing a pattern here), Sidney has gone into isolation following the events that have transpired previously. However, she leaps back into action when a new Ghostface, starts killing the cast of Stab 3 all the way in Hollywood. Just when you think it's getting good, the third one starts to become a rinse and repeat of what happened before. You know a Ghostface is on the loose and all you need is victims along with our heroes Sidney, Gale (played by Courteney Cox) and Dewey (played by David Arquette) coming in to investigate and save the day. However, that being said, some could say this one unintentionally depicts any or all of the things that foresaw the downfall of one Harvey Weinstein. Nevertheless, it's to me, the franchise's first pretty meh, film. Could've been much better, but hey ho. 3 more to go. 7/10

4

Taking place fifteen years after the first film, Sidney returns to Woodsboro after nearly ten years and soon becomes involved in yet another series of murders at the hands of a new Ghostface or two. Although more or less the same as before, this film does well in at least trying to poke fun at horror remakes and satires on the clichés that lurk within such films. I should note that this was Wes Craven's final film before his passing and as such, he did a decent fourth film. It's a slight improvement over Scream 3, but does enough to leave fans wanting more, even if the creator isn't around to do them. 8/10

2022 film

Set 25 years after the first film, a new Ghostface emerges with the intent of killing those that have some kind of connection to the original murders. Among the people that are targeted are sisters Sam (played by Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (played by Jenna Ortega) whose father, may be a Ghostface from decades past. The film, this time around, attempts to satirise horror reboots and films known as requels. Otherwise, known as legacy sequels that continue the original timeline with the old actors returning, but some new blood also taking centre stage. Despite being the first not to be made by Wes Craven, it does well in continuing the franchise and maintaining its status as that one slasher horror franchise that is a fair bit meta. 8/10

VI

In New York City, the survivors of the "legacy" killings, are attending Blackmore University. With their futures uncertain and love coming in all shapes and sizes, the Carpenter sisters and their friends once again face another Ghostface with the intent of killing the survivors of the previous film. This time without Sidney to help them (a first for the series). This one attempts to satirise film franchises, which is a growing trend and one that people, such as those in this film, can figure out from the get go. Overall, as the most recent film in the series, it's going a little stale with its humour and meta styling. But some great set pieces and a change of setting, may just be enough to keep people interested in the franchise that loves to make fun of its genre and all the tropes that it spawns. 8/10

Not sure where else Scream can go with the meta stuff and the satires of things. But it manages to do both those things and stand its own ground as a worthy slasher series, and a much more entertaining one at that when compared to other iconic slasher franchises. 8/10