Scream movie review (2011)

Scream 4 (2011)

Brief review: In this fourth installment of the 'Scream' franchise, Ghostface returns for Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together after many years, and is now an author of a self-help book. Although it plays out like a remake of its predecessors, "Scream 4" never feels new or refreshing, as instead of taking the franchise to another level, director Wes Craven uses the same tired plot formula and the same old twist gimmicks, and as a result, this third sequel offers nothing, but more of the same. The kills themselves are graphic and gory, yet too standard, and devoid of imagination or originality. On a positive note, "Scre4m" has its moments of nail-biting suspense and intensity, and its keeps you guessing who the killer is till the very end, and yet the conclusion, though unpredictable, is so hardly believable, it ends up being more ridiculous than shocking. Craven's direction is typically solid, and the editing is polished enough, but other than that, the movie can't boast with other technical qualities. The acting ranges from decent to mediocre, with Neve Campbell being dull and overly serious as she always is, and the beautiful Emma Roberts being the only real standout. Courteney Cox also delivers, though her screen time is very limited.

Overall summary: Passably watchable and mildly funny, yet too old-fashioned, somewhat pointless, not particularly scary and utterly ineffective, "Scre4am" ends up being nothing more than just another mediocre entry into to the extremely overrated "Scream" franchise.