Scream 1-4 (Reviews)

Scream 1-4 (Film Reviews)

''Scream'', 1994, begins the Scream film franchise. It introduces the characters of Sidney and Gale, two characters present through the four films. It is, along with the other three, directed by Wes Craven (The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left, Nightmare on Elm Street), its stars include Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette.

For those unfamiliar with the Scream film series, the character of Sidney is consistently attacked by a ''ghost-face'', wearing the iconic Scream mask. Friends and colleagues die along the way, leading to an exiting, funny, and satirical group of films.

This film begun the ''What's your favourite movie?'' prank call. The intro is probably one of the best in the history of horror, so I won't go into detail. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is living through the 1 year anniversary of her mother's murder. She begins to receive phone calls from someone who claims to be the perpetrator of her mother's murder. 

The film has some genuine scares, along with over-dramatic gore and ironic jump-scares. Scream can simply be described as very fun, and satirical. Satirical of the horror genre. 

Scream has an interesting plot, great special effects, funny dialogue and over-the-top gore. I have no complaints about the acting, and the editing and music is great, and purposefully over-dramatic. Scream really nails the atmosphere and film they were trying to create.

I give Scream 9/10.

Scream 2

Scream 2's introduction scene.

Scream 2, 1997. 

Following books having been written by the character of Gale on the events of the first film, Scream 2 follows the in-movie parallel to Scream, ''Stab''. Even characters in the film complain and joke about the over-the-top gore and dramatic acting, proving that the franchise really understands the kind of film it is.

The introduction to Scream 2 is of a screening to ''Stab''. While I didn't feel the introduction was as clever as that of Scream, it really nailed the ironic/satirical aspect of the series. 

Sydney Prescott is again tracked by a new ghost-face who is announced in the film's finale. Scream 2 follows a very similar formula to its predecessor, introduction-ghost-face contact-stalking-bloody finale and twist. I felt that Scream 2 does an even better job of spoofing slasher films and their endless sequels, ''sequels are always worse'', but slightly lacks in its originality. Its third act was my favourite sequence in the entire series, with a believable twist and exiting visuals.

I also give Scream 2 8.5/10.

Scream 3

Scream 3, 2000, further spoofs the slasher genre, actually taking place on the film set of the Scream parallel ''Stab''.

I do have to say that I enjoyed Scream 3, but I am attempting to look at these movies as individual films. Scream 3 definitely drops in quality to its predecessors.

The irony of jump-scares and gore feels slightly worn in this sequel. It feels slightly less like a fun

and satirical spoof, and more of an attempt at a serious horror film, although some of those aspects still remain. I did find myself less engaged with this Scream, some of the sequences bored me.

The finale simply wasn't as good as the previous two films, and the introduction was definitely not the film's highlight.

While I wouldn't necessarily say I was disappointed, as I still really enjoyed this entry, but it definitely dropped slightly in film quality, while the enjoyment factor does remain.

I give Scream 3 6.5/10.

SCRE4M

Scream 4 acts as a revival to the series, being made 11 years after Scream 3 (2011). The time-jump is in real-time, and the film really does take place 11 years into the future. 

Along with the original director Wes Craven and the same Sydney Prescott, Emma Roberts also joins the cast to act as the new generation of Scream. ''New Decade. New Rules.''

The film opens with a very amusing introduction. It plays off the ''film within a film'' aspect of the parallel ''Stab'' films, and is ,overall, disturbing.

I felt that Scream 4 captured the new age of horror cinema quite well, along with just being a good general adaption to a new decade.

Consistent with the other films in the franchise, Scream 4 has a mixture of genuine scares, and excessive gore, a spoof of modern horror. 

Similar to Scream 3, it also is not up to the level of Scream 1 or 2 in terms of quality. The enjoyment factor is still present, but the depth of the humour isn't as developed. 

I would also give Scream 4 7/10.

Overall, Scream is probably my favourite horror film franchise. I feel the movies have an extremely high enjoyment factor, along with humour, and the spoofing of the modern horror genre.

Rated 15-18.