Reviews

Scre4m

Director: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts
Rated: MA

Scre4m The latest in the Scream series hits your screen with stabbing, blood and people dying - just like the others. But now, there are new rules. Or no rules.

Wes Craven's latest follows Sidney Prescott as she returns to Woodsboro at the end of her book tour. Having written a book about her experiences, Sidney is trying to move on with her life, but someone doesn't want to let her. The night before she arrives, on the anniversary of the original killings that inspired the "Stab" films, people start dying.

Thrown back into the action are Gale (Cox) and Dewey (Arquette) as re-inspired journalist and town Sheriff respectively. Now married, the murders throw their relationship on the rocks as they both try to solve the case separately.

Sidney, forced to stay in Woodsboro as a suspect in the murder case, reconnects with her aunt and her cousin Jill (Roberts), who is trying to get over the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend Trevor. However, this is all interrupted as Sidney, Jill, and Jill's friends are targeted by the new Ghostface killer.

Since the killers in the previous three movies died, it's fair to assume someone else has decided to go on a murdering spree. In any case, Ghostface is back, with the same outfit and fondness for knives. The killer makes it clear that Sidney is the target, but taunts her by killing others around her.

As more and more people are murdered, less and less people remain who could be the new killer. Who will make it out alive? The "scary movie rules" no longer apply in the remake, leaving those in the film wondering just how to survive their situation.

For those who are fans of the original Scream movie, you'll find less of the classic '90s haircuts in this fourth film, but the same action. There's locked doors, masked killers jumping out unexpectedly, and people running upstairs trying to "escape". Emma Roberts gives a stunning performance as Jill, while Sidney remains the only character able to fight off potential killers.

The plot itself twists and turns like a metaphorical roller coaster, enough to keep you guessing unless you have an uncanny talent for picking the endings to these sorts of things. Scre4m isn't really for those with weak stomachs or a tendency to let their imaginations run wild, as the lack of monsters, zombies or ghosts might just make it more real. While not overly scary, it is a great slasher film nonetheless.

So, go and see it if you dare. Who knows who will come out of it alive? If you do, ask yourself: "what's your favourite scary movie?"

4 out of 5

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